The trophy, a propeller from the to be decommissioned INS Viraat to accompany the 125,000 USD prize money
Mumbai, 3rd March 2017: Prior to the launch of the much awaited NEXA P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas, Vivek Singh, Joint Managing Director, Procam International and Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Flag Officer Commanding-In-Chief, Western Naval Command; Hon'ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra Jayakumar Rawal and Swadhin Kshatriya, Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra unveiled the rolling trophy for the Grand Prix of the Seas. The trophy, made from the propellers of a boat of INS VIRAAT that is scheduled for decommissioning on the 6th of this month.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Flag Officer Commanding-In-Chief, Western Naval Command said, “In my capacity as Chairman of Motor Boat Racing and off-shore racing in India, I am indeed delighted that the event is taking place for the first time in India. This trophy has been made from the propellers of a boat of INS VIRAAT and as you all know that INS VIRAAT is scheduled for decommissioning on the 6th of this month and this is a very apt manner of having the memory of this great ship that has served the Navy and the Nation for so many years. 30 years in the Indian Navy, earlier 27 years in the Royal Navy. Put together 57 years of service by this great aircraft carrier which is a record by the way internationally and therefore we thought a piece from this ship would be a great way to look at the memory of the ship which will continue as the races continue.”
Hon'ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra Jayakumar Rawal who was also present at the event added to Mr. Luthra’s thoughts, saying, “The global eyeballs are on Maharashtra, and now especially on Mumbai. We are very proud of the event, of course, and any new event takes a lot of effort. Vivek Singh and his team have put in tireless effort. I think it is going to be a huge event not only in Mumbai and Maharashtra but also the rest of the country. I wish the whole team good luck and am sure it is going to get a lot of name and fame in Maharashtra and Mumbai.”
Swadhin Kshatriya, Chief Secretary, Government of. Maharashtra also shared, “This is going to be the first time in our history that is going to add a feature to the cap of Mumbai.”
Vivek Singh, Jt. Managing Director, Procam International said, “It is such a great pleasure to have the propeller from the iconic carrier VIRAAT as the trophy for the first edition of NEXA P1 Powerboat racing. We would like to thank our partners, Indian Navy, and tourism department of Maharashtra for supporting such an event. We only hope that events like these will encourage Mumbai to host more sporting events on the sea.”
With the fastest men and women on water racing for USD 1,25,000 Prize and the prestigious trophy, we can be sure to expect a lot of speed on the Sea on the weekend of 3rd March 2017, at the first NEXA P1 Powerboat, Indian Grand Prix of the Seas.
ABOUT THE TROPHY:
HISTORY OF VIRAAT Viraat the second aircraft carrier of Indian Navy and the oldest aircraft carrier in the world has served under two ensigns with distinction. She is the tenth incarnation of ‘Hermes’ which was the fifth Centaur class carrier designed by Vickers and Armstrong, UK. Conceptualized during World War II and commissioned in the Royal Navy on 18 Nov 1959, she served in her majesty’s service for twenty-four glorious years and was decommissioned on 06 Apr 1984. During this period she was involved in leading the British Task Force to victory during Op ‘Mercy’ at Cyprus in 1974 and Op ‘Corporate’ during the Falkland War against Argentina in the South Atlantic. On 12 May 1987, she was commissioned in the Indian Navy. In her three decades of glorious service to the nation, she has been pivotal in maintaining the balance of maritime power in the Indian Ocean Region. Her motto: ‘JALMEVA YASYA, BALAMEV TASYA’ is reflected through her yeoman service, resolute actions and highest standards of operational efficiency. She has participated in Op Jupiter in 1989, assisting the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka and Op Parakram post parliament attacks in 2001. Considered by many as national pride, she has etched a place for herself in nation’s history.
THE RACE
Nexa P1 Powerboat, India Grand Prix of the Seas, is the first of the UIM recognized Grand Prix of the Seas. The 5-tier hierarchal structure will consist of a World Cup at the apex (to be held biennially starting in 2020) the Grand Prix of the Seas series, which will define a World Champion, inter-continental series, national series and regional series in orders of level of competition.