Powerboating

In power boating there are two disciplines circuit races (English, circuit ') and offshore races.

Circuit races are mainly used on rivers or lakes place, sometimes in ports or on quiet inlets. The courses are characterized by turning buoys. These buoys are located at distances of about 200 to 1000 meters, so the driver can see them. The premier class is Formula 1

In contrast to the auto racing there are no permanent race tracks for motor boating. A list of current and past race courses, the list of powerboat racing circuits ( Germany ).

Offshore races will take place on the sea near the coast. The boats are manned by at least two people. One of them is responsible for the navigation, since the turn buoys are several miles apart. The premier class is the class 1

Almost all the information in the following article relating to circuit races.

  • 7.1 Flying Start
  • 7.2 Jetty start

History

The first motor boat races were conducted in 1898 by the "French Yachting Union ".

At the Olympic Summer Games 1908 in London motorboat race was once an Olympic sport.

Nowadays in Germany will take place about 10 races a year.

Organization

World governing body for powerboat racing is the " Union Internationale Motonautique " ( UIM ), based in Monaco.

The sports authority in Germany is located at the German Motor Yacht Association eV ( DMYV ), headquartered in Duisburg.

The individual races are organized by clubs that are members of the national association are.

Security

The security is in powerboat racing close to the top - and not just since the tragic accident of Stefano Casiraghi. So must have a security cockpit (for racing boats from the 500 cc class, sports boats from the 750 cc class), for example, now all larger catamarans. In this Kevlar, carbon fiber and Airex built stable " capsule ", the driver is belted and has an oxygen supply. He is protected in clashes and rollovers. These drivers must practice every year, as they rid themselves under water even from the safety cockpit ( " Turtle - Test")

Driver

To start with a motor boat race, the driver needs a license. This is awarded for German drivers from DMYV after an audit, prepare for the ADAC and DMYV with a theoretical and practical weekend course. In addition, a health certificate is required. In the class D 550, it is possible to start at age 14, in all other classes with 16 fast Certain classes put a special license from the UIM advance.

Women come in powerboat racing on an equal footing with men.

Series and classes

The different boat and engine forms are in accordance with the regulations of the International Federation UIM divided into series. The most common series are:

  • O - racing boats with outboards
  • S - sport boats ( catamarans) with standard outboards
  • T - Tour boats ( three-square files) with standard outboards
  • P - inflatables with outboards
  • R - Racing boats with inboard
  • E - Recreational craft with inboard standard

All these series are further subdivided according to the engine capacity of their engines. There are, for example, in the series " O " eleven classes of O 125 ​​(up to 125 cc ) to O ∞ (over 3000 cc ).

Germany

In Germany, mainly following classes are run:

  • Outboard classes: O/F-125, O/F-250, O/F-350, O/F-500, O- 700
  • Inboard boats racing: Formula -R1000,
  • Junior racing classes: Formula ADAC, DMYV - T550, OSY -400

USA

In the United States own racing culture has, similar to auto racing, emerged. In practice, only here there are, for example, drag and Boats Unlimited Hydroplanes.

Drag Boats achieve their high speeds only over very short distances and are the counterpart to the dragster vehicles on land. This is about maximum acceleration on a straight line.

The top class of racing boats are the Unlimited Hydroplanes that reach the highest speeds.

Championships

In all classes defined world or European championships can be discharged. Recently, these championships are held in many classes as a series, that is, there are several races in different countries instead. The rating points are totaled at the end of the year. In these series, then we no longer speak for example of the " class O -250 " but of the "Formula 250 ". The series there partly as World or European championship series. Championships, which are not discharged in a series that will take place over a weekend in four runs, each driver has a string result.

Starting options

Flying Start

( In circuit racing ) The driver decide when you go within the indicated preparation time on the water. They circle in the " preparation area ", not in the " security zone " 150 meters before the start line. In the last minute then a second hand runs backwards. When "0" may cross the starting line the boats. This starting shape was classified many years ago as "dangerous " because it often led to accidents. Therefore, it is now rarely used. Commonly used is the ' Jetty - Start ".

( For offshore races) The boats gather on the water. A boat race control ( master boot ) is taking off, accelerating and are dropping a flag with the starting blocks. From this moment, the participants are allowed to overtake the master boot.

Jetty Startup

The Jetty - start is the most common form start in circuit racing. The boats are at the dock and may run the engine warm to 30 seconds before the start. Then comes the red light and only when the red light goes out, the engines may be started again and drive off the boats. Instead of a land the boats can also just lie in knee deep water. This can be found on American lakes often.

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