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The South West Association of Model Boat Clubs
Fast Electric Competition Rules
(Revised October 2009)
1.The dates, venues and number of meetings for the SWAMBC Fast Electric Championships will be arranged by the SWAMBC Fast Electric Competition Secretary.
2.At each meeting there will be an Officer of the Day (OOD) who will be appointed by the host club and the SWAMBC Fast Electric Competition Secretary or his deputy.
3.Entry
3.1Open to anyone with proof of the appropriate third party public liability insurance cover or a membership card if their Club/Association has PL insurance for its members.
3.2 £2.00 entry fee per boat for each meeting.
3.3All entries will be required to register at each meeting for a duty, this will be done on a first come, first served basis. The duties will be for Race Officer, Lap Counter, Lap Caller and Race Observer. If the entry numbers allow, their will also be duties for the manning of the Rescue Boat or feeding the wildlife to clear the course.
3.4Races will be for boats in R2R, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula 4, Mini ECO, Hydro 1 and Mono 1 classes as recognised by SWAMBC – see Boat Classes for further details.
4.Duties
4.1Apart from the meeting O.O.D all other duties will be agreed on the day on completion of the Duty Roster. Any skipper who finds they are unable to “do their duty” must themselves find someone else to take their place. They can do this as many times as they wish, but if the replacement fails to show they will be held responsible.
4.2 Race Officials:
There must be a minimum of four race officials for any race. A Race Officer, Lap Counter, Lap Caller and a Race Observer (duties listed below). Additional Race Observers can be used if required by the Race Officer if the number of entries allow.
Any Race Official can disqualify a driver/boat (see rule 16.11) for driving in a manner which causes wildlife distress and/or hits any wildlife at any time during a meeting.
4.3 Race Officer;
Is responsible for over seeing a specific race and/or heat (as per Duty Roster). Must call all skippers for the race start, and will decide if there is to be any delay to the start. Will start the race with a verbal warning signal of between 5 to 10 seconds and will then start the race by sounding the appropriate start whistle/signal. Must also give warning of any dead boats or wildlife on the course (see rules 16.7 and 16.11) and record all the competitors lap score from the lap counter at the end of the race. The Race Officer will decide if a race is to be stopped early or abandon and together with the O.O.D can disqualify any competitor from a race and or the meeting. Will record all laps scored and finishing times, adding any penalties for missed buoys.
4.4 Lap Counter;
Check the lap counter is set and displays the correct numbers. Records laps completed by all boats as called by the “Lap Caller”
4.5 Lap Caller;
Calls clearly all the boats as they pass the start/finish line and decides if any boats have jumped the start.
4.6 Race Observer:
Will note any boats which miss buoys and inform the Race Officer at the end of the race. Assist in warning of any dead boats and any wildlife on or near to the race course.
5.Race Assistants (not Race Officials)
5.1Rescue Boat (if the numbers of entries allows)
Is ready at all times during a race to rescue any boats. All occupants MUST always wear a life jacket and comply with the host club rules regarding the use of the rescue boat. Must not launch during a race unless the Race Officer agrees
5.2Wildlife feeder (if the numbers of entries allows)
Will feed any wildlife birds just before a race heat starts to encourage them to clear the racing course.
6.Boat Classes
6.1All boats must be fitted with a “safety loop” colour red outside the hull, which when pulled will disconnect the battery supply to the motor. The loop must be fitted outside the hull in a position which is easily accessible to disconnect. For boats with surface drive or exposed propeller systems the safety loop must be at a safe distance away from the propeller blades. The loop itself must have a diameter of at least 20mm.
6.2Boats must carry an upright number plate, the number figure must be black with the lines at least 8mm in width on a white background at least 75mm high x 50mm wide. The number for each boat class will be the final placing the entrant achieved in that class, in the previous years SWAMBC Championship. New entrants to a class must contact the SWAMBC Competition Secretary who will allocate the next available number.
6.3Any material may be used in the hull construction in all classes (It is strongly recommended that suitable flotation is installed into all hulls)
7.R2R (Ready to Race)
This is designed as an entry level class. Anyone who races in this class at least once for three consecutive years (from 2009) or wins this class championship in any year (from 2009) will be ineligible to enter this class again.
This class is for Semi scale fast electric kit boats only. The boat kit must not cost more than £140.00 (normal RRP) and must come complete with - Hull (any material, type or design), brushed electric motor, speed controller or switch unit, drive system/propeller shaft, rudder, propeller plus all the fittings such as motor mountings, couplings, etc, must all be included. Only the radio and batteries should be needed to get the boat on the water.
7.1Batteries:6 max. sub “C” (43mm x 23mm nom.) Ni-cad or Nickel Metal Hydride cells
Not to exceed 3300mh (as specified by the manufacture on the batteries)
7.2Race duration is 5 minutes, racing clockwise on a triangle course using the centre buoy and bottom two buoys of the “M” course. The starting order will change for each of the three races – see rule 7.9.
7.3To race in the R2R class you will need to add a safety loop (see rule 6.1) and number plate (see rule 6.2)
7.4No modifications or additions to the original hull design, motor mount etc are allowed. Any broken parts that need to be replaced must be identical to parts to those that came with the original kit.
7.5There are just three exceptions to this rule:
7.6The original propeller may be replaced by any non metallic propeller.
7.7A speed controller unit may be replaced with a similar controller or for a servo operated switch unit.
7.8A motor must only be replaced with an identical motor (from any supplier) or it may be replaced using any motor from the following list:
Graupner MIG Permax Multiplex
Speed 400 Race 4.8VPart No 3320 400 6V Part No 400-6v 400 6VPart No 332545
Speed 400 6V Part No 3321 480 Race7.2V Part No 480-R7.2 400 7.2V Part No 332546
Speed 400 7.2V Part No 1794 500 Race Part No 500 480 7.2VPart No 322689
Speed 480 7.2V Part No 6304 600 Turbo 7.2V Part No 600-T7.2 500 Part No 322470
Speed 500SP 7.2V Part No 1799 600 Turbo 8.4V Part No 600-T8.4 600 Part No 322471
Speed 600SP 8.4V Part No 6312
Speed 600 7.2V Part No 1793
Speed 600 8.4V Part No 3301
Speed 600 Eco 7.2V Part No 3323
If you have any doubts as to suitability of a replacement parts contact the Fast Electric Competition Secretary.
7.9 Starting order (R2R only):
All boats will head to the middle buoy and then turn clockwise around that buoy and onto the triangle course. There will be three different starting orders for each race.
For race 1 and 2 the starting order will be decided by the boat race numbers, with the lowest numbered boat starting first in race 1 with spacing of one second intervals. That order will be reversed in race 2. The Race Officer or an assistant will call out the boat numbers as they should start. For Race 3 only, all boats will start together. The first “half lap” will count as a racing lap and therefore be counted by the lap counter.
LiPo = Lithium polymer battery, nominal voltage 3.7V/cell, minimum 20C rating
A123 = A123Systems lithium ion ANR26650 M1 cell, nominal voltage 3.3V/cell, nominal capacity 2300mAh, also know as Lithium Iron Phosphate, Nanophosphate, LiFe, LiFePo, LiFePo4 and M1, hereafter know as A123
8.Formula 2
Motor: Open to any brushed or brushless motor.
Drive: Submerged drive.
Hull: Mono hulls only.
Batteries:7 max sub “C” (43mm x 23mm nom.) Ni-cad or Nickel Metal Hydride cells
or Maximum 2S1P 5000mAh LiPo or Maximum 3S2P 4600mAh A123
(all as specified by the manufacture on the batteries)
Duration: 6 minutes, starting from the bank – see rule 14.1
Course:Anti-clockwise around five buoys on an “M” type course.
9.Formula 3
Motor: Brushed 540 type with 19 turn single “Stock” ONLY (19x1) with fixed timing.
Drive: Direct submerged drive only (no gear boxes) using only a non
metallic propeller
Hull: Mono hulls only.
Batteries: 6 max sub “C” (43mm x 23mm nom.) Ni-cad or Nickel Metal Hydride cells
Not to exceed 3300mh (as specified by the manufacture on the batteries)
Duration: 5 minutes, starting from the bank – see rule 14.1
Course: Anti-clockwise around five buoys on an “M” type course
10. Formula 4
Motor: Mega ACn 22/30/2 (1770rpm/volt) ONLY
Drive: Any drive form may be used.
Hull: Any hull design or type.
Batteries: Lipo 4S1P, 20C minimum rating, 5000mah nominal capacity
(as specified by the manufacture on the batteries)
Weight: Minimum of 2kg with the boat in a racing set up,
Duration: 7 minutes plus a 10 second “Mill Time” (see rule 14.2)
Course: Clockwise around the outside of the “M” course,
or as the water permit or dictates.
11. Mini ECO
Motor: Open to any brushed or brushless motor.
Drive: Submerged drive.
Hull: Mono hulls only, maximum length of 450mm
Batteries: Maximum 2S1P 2500mAh LiPo or Maximum 3S2P 2300mAh A123
(all as specified by the manufacture on the batteries)
Duration: 5 minutes, starting from the bank - see Rule 14.3
Course: Anti-clockwise around the triangle course
12. Hydro 1
Motor: Open to any brushed or brushless motor.
Drive: Surface drive only.
Hull: Hydroplane including multi-hulls
Batteries: 7 max sub “C” (43mm x 23mm nom.) NiCad or Nickel Metal Hydride cells or
Maximum 2S1P 5000mAh LiPo or Maximum 3S2P 4600mAh A123
(all as specified by the manufacture on the batteries)
Duration: 5 minutes plus a 10 second “Mill Time” (see rule 14.2)
Course: Clockwise around the outside of the “M” course,
or as the water permit or dictates
13. Mono 1
Motor:Open to any brushed or brushless motor.
Drive: Surface drive only.
Hull: Mono hulls only
Batteries: 7 max sub “C” (43mm x 23mm nom.) NiCad or Nickel Metal Hydride cells or
Maximum 2S1P 5000mAh LiPo or Maximum 3S2P 4600mAh A123
(all as specified by the manufacture on the batteries)
Duration: 6 minutes plus a 10 second “Mill Time” (see rule 14.2)
Course: Clockwise around the outside of the “M” course,
or as the water permit or dictates
14Starting procedure
14.1 Formula 2 and 3 ONLY;
Boats will start from the bank and for the first lap only will pass to the right side of the middle buoy and then up to the top left buoy passing around it on the right side and continue around the M course in an anti-clockwise direction. This first “half lap” will count as a racing lap and therefore be counted by the lap counter.
14.2 Mill Time for FM4, Hydro 1 & Mono 1;
The Race Officer will call for the boats to start their mill time. They then have 10 seconds to circle around the bottom right hand buoy in a clock-wise direction. All boats must have launched and cleared the start/finish line area within the first 5 seconds; anyone that fails to do this must join in behind the last placed boat as the race starts. Boats may approach the start line at any speed, as the Race Officer counts down the mill time. No boat may stop dead in the water or cross the start line before the start is called, any boats that do, will have 1 lap deducted from their race score. The lap counting starts only after the mill start is completed.
14.3Mini ECO;
Boats will start together from the bank and race to the middle buoy, turning it anti-clockwise and around the triangle course (the opposite start and direction to the R2R class). The first “half lap” will count as a racing lap and therefore be counted by the lap counter.
15. Course/Race times
15.1The course layout, size and position of the buoys will be decided by the meeting OOD and SWAMBC Comp’ Sec’ or his deputy.
15.2Booking in time from 9.30am, first race will start at 10.15am, providing the duty roster is completed and the meeting OOD is prepared. A skippers briefing is not requirement for every meeting, but the OOD may call for a skippers briefing at any time during the day for which all entries are required to attend.
15.3The boats will be raced in order of: R2R, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula 4, Mini ECO, Hydro 1, Mono 1 classes.
15.4A minimum of 45 minutes will be allowed for recharging of batteries in all classes.
16. Racing rules & Lap scoring
16.1If a boat misses the start procedure (rule 7.9 or 14) or is late to start any race it can still join that race but must do so without passing the lap counter position and only when there are no other approaching boats. In this circumstance the boat MUST not cross the racing line and go directly to their usual “starting” buoy, but should race directly to the appropriate bottom buoy (ie; bottom right for those classes racing anti-clockwise or bottom left for classes racing in a clockwise direction)
16.2At least 1 race in any class must be completed at a meeting for the overall Championship points to be awarded. If 2 or more races have been completed the lowest race/lap score will be discarded from the days total score (ie best the 2 from 3 races to count).
16.3If a boat misses a buoy it must continue to race, but will have 10 seconds penalty added to its race score. If a second buoy is missed during the same race another 10 second penalty will be added, thereafter one lap will be deducted for each and every missed buoy. (ie: 3 missed buoys would score a 1 lap, plus 20 second penalty) The Race Officer may have “Assistants” to help observe the race and note any missed buoys.
16.4On hearing the race finish call/signal, competitors must continue to race to the start/finish line. The Lap Counter will immediately stop counting any boats. The race will continue for a maximum of 45 seconds when all boats will be timed (in seconds) as they cross the finishing line. The Race Officer, assisted by the Lap Caller and/or Lap Counter will record all finishing times and add an additional lap to all boats that cross the line within the 45 seconds. Any boat that fails to cross the finishing line within 45 seconds will be timed as 0 seconds or DNF (Did Not Finish) although their lap scores and any penalties during the race time will still be counted.
16.5Places will be decided by the competitor who has the highest total lap score after a race discarded. If there is a tie for total laps scored, then the boat with the lower finishing times will be placed higher. If this score also ties, then the best discarded lap score and/or lower finishing times will decide the places. If all the lap scores and finishing times are tied then competitors are considered to be equally placed and will be awarded equal SWAMBC points.
16.6The Race Office may have to stop a race early to clear the course of wildlife or recover a sinking boat. Depending on the circumstance the Race Officer will either ask competitors to stop their boats immediately and remove them safely from the lake. In which case the full race may be re-run if time permits on the day. However, the Race Officer may stop timing the race and ask competitors to finish their lap and score as per rule 16.2. Once the lake is clear, the race will be restarted for the remaining time (including Mill Time) and the two race lap scores/finishing times will be added together.
16.7If a boat stops on the water during a race, the skipper of that boat must give a verbal warning to the others still racing and make sure the Race Officer is aware of its position on the water. The Race Officer must repeat the warning clearly to all the other skippers of “a dead boat” giving its approximate position on the course.
16.8Any boat which makes contact with a “dead boat” after it has been called by the Race Officer will be disqualified from the race and must withdraw immediately. This race (for the offending skipper) will score as 0 laps; however, this race may still be included as a discard from the day’s results.
16.9If during a race a competitors boat “comes back to life” after it has been called as a “dead boat” it may continue to race. The skipper involved must give a clear verbal notice to the others still racing including the Race Officer who must also make the others aware that the dead boat has re-joined the race.
16.10A boat can be retrieved if it’s near to the bank and then only if it is safe to do so. It can be re-launched to continue racing providing there are no approaching boats. The rescue boat (including a radio controlled rescue boat) must not be used to retrieve a dead boat in these circumstances.
16.11The Race Officials will warn skippers of any wildlife on or near the racing course giving its approximate position. Drivers are required to take any suitable avoiding actions, such as a wider race line, slowing down so to leaving appropriate room to avoid hitting them or even causing them unnecessary distress. If this is not done any Race Official (not just the Race Officer) has the authority to require any driver to withdraw their boat immediately and they will be disqualified from that race. This race may still be included as a discard from the day’s results.
16.12If any class has 8 or more entered on the day, the meeting OOD will split the boats into 2 heats. Should 7 or fewer boats enter or during the meeting a larger fleet is reduced due to retirements, the remaining boats will be put into one heat only providing the majority of entries agree.
16.13A competitor may ask the Meeting OOD for the lap counting to be corrected if he/she thinks there has been a mistake during a race. The OOD may consult other competitors directly involved in the race, the Race Officer and the Lap Caller. He may adjust the lap counting score if he feels it’s necessary. His decision is final.
17. Overall Scoring
17.1Points will be awarded depending on the finishing places at each round. The scoring for each round will be a s follows; 1st place 21 points, 2nd- 18, 3rd-16, and so on to 1 point for 18th or over places. In the event of a tie the competitor with the higher discarded race score will be placed.
17.2The Championship will be decided by the highest score from any 6 of the 7 rounds, except in the event of a tie, and then the higher discarded score wins. If these scores also tie, then a count-back system will be used on the most 1st places, then 2nd etc.
18. Meeting cancellation
A meeting will be cancelled due to bad weather etc, only with the agreement of the majority of those who attended on the day or in advance by the Fast Electric Comp’ Sec’ with at least 48 hours notice given to ALL participants to date. If a meeting is cancelled (or there is no result in a classes on the day– see rule 16.2) it will be withdrawn from the series and the remaining 5 from 6 rounds will count.
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