| The married couple from Britain are banking on a second successive SuperSport World Championship to secure the sponsorship they need to carry on racing next season. They have spent almost £120,000 of their own money this year defending the crown but funds are running out and their plan to step up to the Evolution class hangs in the balance. "We were determined to finish the season and try to keep our Championship, but we are scraping the barrel now and can't afford to go on like this," said Hunt, the first woman to win a P1 title. "One or two companies have shown an interest and we're hoping that if we make it two Championships in a row that could clinch a deal and we'll be able to compete in Evolution. But it puts us under even more pressure to deliver in Portugal." Hunt and Shelton take a 110-point lead into the Portimao double-header and could seal the title with victory in the first race, on Saturday. "It would be great to do it in style with a win but I don't know whether we should |
risk going for it or be cautious," added Hunt. "We need only a couple of fourth places from the two races and we've had to do a lot of repair work on the boat since Belgium. We were probably lucky to finish there and don't want to push our luck."
"There are a number of very good boats and competitive crews in our class so anything can happen. We'll have to wait to see what the water is like and then decide on our strategy." The Powerboat P1 Portuguese Grand Prix of the Sea takes place over the weekend of 29th/30th September. |
