Defending Class 1 Powerboat World Champions Arif Al Zafeen and Nader Bin Hendi of the UAE go into yesterday’s (Saturday) opening race

of the 2010 BMW Norwegian Grand Prix in Arendal looking well placed to record their third win of the year after setting the fastest time in testing.

The Fazza 3 crew yesterday (Friday) took to the water for the first time in over three months but showed no signs of rustiness setting a time more than seven seconds quicker than their nearest rivals.

“It’s a course we enjoy and the boat is set up very well,” said a delighted Al Zafeen, who is on a six-race winning streak with throttleman partner Bin Hendi. “But there are some very good teams here this weekend – and two of the boats didn’t test today – so while we’re happy with the result, let’s wait and see what happens tomorrow when we are all out on the water.”

With a best lap time of 3m:25.23s, the Fazza 3 crew did more than enough to out run Italians Giorgio Manuzzi and Giovanni Carpitella who were second quickest in the new boat Spirit of Dubai 7 (3m:32.87s) with Fazza 1’s Mohammed Al Marri and Abdullah Al Mehairbi third in 3m:34.64s.

It was a good day at the office for the Italians who are still getting used to both their partnership and the handling of the latest boat to be produced by the famous Dubai Victory Team stable.

“Giorgio and I have only had one race together so we’re still getting used to one another,” said throttleman Carpitella, a man with years of racing experience and world titles in the lower divisions. “The boat itself is simply unbelievable and a lot of fun to drive. We’re set up more for cornering than top speed so to set a time like this is a bonus.”

This year’s Norwegian Grand Prix is the thirteenth hosted by the town of Arendal and for Fazza 1’s Al Marri ad Al Mehairbi it’s a return to familiar waters – the duo were happy not to spend too much time in the boat and settled for a time set early in the session.

“Testing is about making sure the boat is in good shape so we are happy with the way things are going,” said two-time world champion Al Marri. “This course is always fantastic and we know it very well. The sea conditions are OK but it is a little bit choppy at the corners and there are 3-4ft waves at the top end of the course. Propeller choice is important because of the long start and the amount of tight turns so we’ll see how the weather is on race day before making that important decision.”

But while it was good day out for the Dubai boats, main rivals Jorn Tandberg and Kolbjorn Selmer in Welmax and Nicola Giorgi and Guido Cappellini in Primatist sat out testing and will only be back on the water today (Saturday) for official practice, the EDOX Pole Position and race one for the BMW Norwegian Grand Prix.