The South West Association of Model Boat Clubs

Fast Electric Competition Rules

(Revised October 2008)

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, 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.

4.2Race 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 16.10) for driving in a manner which causes wildlife distress and/or hits any wildlife at any time during a meeting.

4.3Race 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 16.6 and 16.10) 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.

4.4Lap Counter;

Check the lap counter is set and displays the correct numbers. Records laps completed by all boats as called by the “Lap Caller”

4.5Lap Caller;

Calls clearly all the boats as they pass the start/finish line and decides if any boats have jumped the start.

4.6Race 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 on the batteries)

7.2Race duration is 5 minutes. All boats will start in a grid formation (see below) racing clockwise on a triangle course using the centre buoy and bottom two buoys of the “M” course.

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 6VPart No 400-6v 400 6VPart No 332545

Speed 400 6VPart No 3321 480 Race7.2VPart No 480-R7.2 400 7.2V Part No 332546

Speed 400 7.2VPart No 1794 500 Race Part No 500 480 7.2VPart No 322689

Speed 480 7.2VPart No 6304 600 Turbo 7.2V Part No 600-T7.2 500Part No 322470

Speed 500SP 8.4VPart No 6312 600 Turbo 8.4V Part No 600-T8.4 600Part No 322471

Speed 600 7.2VPart No 1793

Speed 600 8.4VPart No 3301

Speed 600 Eco 7.2VPart No 3323

If you have any doubts as to suitability of a replacement parts contact the Fast Electric Competition Secretary.

7.9Starting Grid (R2R only):

The boats will start from the bank in 1 second intervals turning clockwise around the top centre buoy. The Race Officer or an assistant will call out the boat numbers as they should start. The starting order will be decided by the boat race numbers, with the lowest numbered boat starting first in race 1 and 3. The start order will be reversed in races 2 and 4.

Please Note:

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

Duration: 6 minutes, starting from the designated area (see rule 13)

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 on the batteries)

  Duration: 5 minutes, starting from the designated area (see rule 13)

  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.

Weight: Minimum of 2kg with the boat in a racing set up, including its batteries installed.

Duration: 7 minutes plus a 10 second “Mill Time” (see rule 14)

Course: Clockwise around the outside of the “M” course, or as the water permit or dictates.

11.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

  Duration: 5 minutes plus a 10 second “Mill Time” (see rule 14)

  Course: Clockwise around the outside of the “M” course, or as the water permit or dictates

12.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

Duration: 6 minutes plus a 10 second “Mill Time” (see rule 14)

Course: Clockwise around the outside of the “M” course, or as the water permit or dictates

13.Starting area (Formula 2 and 3 ONLY)

There will be a designated starting area on the water to the left side of the bottom left hand buoy. This area will be made clear by the Race Officer at the first race for each class. On instruction of the Race Officer the boats will launch and must hold position in this area. The Race Officer will then give a warning that the race will start in the next 10 seconds (this is not a mill start). Boats will then race to the bottom right hand buoy and continue anti-clockwise around the “M” course”. Any boat which is outside this area will be deemed to have jumped the start and deducted 1 lap from their race score.

14.Mill Time (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.

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, 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

16.1 At 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 day’s total score (ie best 3 from 4 or 2 from 3 races to count).

16.2If 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.

16.3On 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.

16.4Places will be decided by the competitor who has the highest total lap score after a race discarded (see rule 23) 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.

16.5The 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 from 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 25. 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.

16.6If 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.

16.7Any 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.

16.8If 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.

16.9A 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 must not be used to retrieve a boat in these circumstances.

16.10The 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.

16.11If 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.

16.12 A 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

17.1 Points 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 23) it will be withdrawn from the series and the remaining 5 from 6 rounds will count.

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