CRC BULLETIN, 15.02.16 The Circuit Racing Committee (CRe) would like to convey the following ilnformation to all Circuit Competitors and offi,cial,s: Neck Restraint devices - Cockpit Classes N eck restraint devices are now I"liIghliy recommended for 2016, and wih be mandatory from 1st J1anuary 2017 in accordance with a recent UlM rule change. l,t is highliy recommended in 2016 that anyone intending to use a neck restraint device has this on when carrying out then immersion test, S,PECIAl NOTE - For any Compe'tito,r intending to race a cockpit bo'at at an Inte'rnational event in Iitaly, the Italian Federation, have advised that neck restraint and 10cm head clearance wile be mandatory f'rom 01/01116. Neck Restraint - Non-Cockpit Classe,s fi has been agreed by CRC that neck restraints, classes as detailed bellow: can be used in non-cockpit The device is worn under the li:fejacket with minimum exposure of straps. The dips/eyes are of plastic construction and desilgned to break iin a progressive manner. The straps are also desígned to work iin a simäar way. The straps are adjusted to allow a full range of movement of the drivers head in order that all round visibihty is not affected. The device forms part of the scrutmeering process in that it is worn by the drimer at scrutineering and that the driver is able to demonstrate their ability to remove their own helmet. Page 1 of 3
Head Clearance All new cockpit boats built from 01/01/16 onwards MUST have a minimum of 10cm head clearance and be built to UlM specifications in accordance with UlM Rules. Minimum Quanti:ly of Air - Cockpit Classes (advice) There is currently ongoing research being conducted into the recommend minimum quanti,ty of air a competitor should carry with them in cockpit classes. These investigations are still ongoing and competitors will be advised when the research has been completed. In accordance with previous bulletins, gauges should be fitted on air bottles so that the quantity of air available is visible. Fixing Air Bottles. Drivers are reminded that any air bottle should be securely fastened. GT30 - Minimum Age In accordance with some other classes, Competitors wm be auowed to train and test in G130 from 13 years 6< months. Club & Natilonal racing may is: only permitted from 14yrs old. Seat Belts I Restraints. - F2 & Supercat In Hne with new WM seat belts must be replaced after an accident that invol'ves damage to the srructure of the cockpit or injury to the competitor, the belts will be cut by the cchilef on-duty scrunneer. This aliso applies to accidents: where in the opinion of the offiicial"s significaru damage has occurred. s.ilgnificant impact force without apparent Sighting Lap - AU Classes At all British National Championship events all classes will be given a 'sighting lap' before their fìrst heat on the second day of a two day Natilonali event. Page 2 of 3
RYA Through Hub Propeller The UlM passed a more detailed rule regarding through hub propellers which has been adopted for UK Racing. The information is on the UlM website and will be included in the 2016 PB2. Helmet Colours/Percentage It was agreed to adopt the UlM Rule which states that the top 50% of the helmet must be one of the colours stated in the rule book. Competitors are reminded that it is in their best interest that their helmet is clearly visible as possible. Tohatsu/Merc.ury GT1S and GT30 De-Compressor It was agreed by the UlM technical Committee that the de-compressor can be removed. The engine homologation papers will be modified to reflect this. This whi also be adopted by the UK in 2016. AU 2016 UlM Rules can be viewed on the UlM websitewww.uimpowerboating.com when they are published. Page 3 of 3
Powerboat Racing CRC BULLETIN 27.04.16 The Circuit Racing Committee (CRC) would like to convey the following information to all Circuit Competitors and officials: The CRC agreed some time ago to a change in the format of the National Championship rounds & points allocation. Thefore the following is now immediately implemented: With effect from the 2016 season, each heat of a National Championship event will become a round of the overall championship and attract points in the normal way, i.e. 20, 17, 15 etc. This will mean that a championship that takes part over 6 events would have a total of 18 rounds, being 3 at each event. Qualifying for the first round will take place in the normal way. The starting grid for rounds 2 & 3 will be determined on the finishing positions of the previous round. This change will ONLY impact on points scored and all other aspects of the event will remain the same. Event related matters, such as serving yellow cards or gaining signatures will be unchanged and will apply for the event as a whole and not each individual round. Trophies will be awarded at the usual end of event prize giving based on the total points awarded to each driver from the 3 rounds of the championship.
CRC BULLETIN 28.06.16 The Circuit Racing Committee (CRC) would like to convey the following information to all Circuit Competitors and officials: 1) With immediate effect - the following text relating to weighing will replace what is currently published in rule E31.2 of the PB2 : E31.2 Any competitor found to be under the minimum class weight will have all points accumulated to the point of weighing removed. This also applies to qualifying and if a competitor is found to be underweight, all qualifying times will be removed up to the point of weighing. This may only be enforced if the official scales were available for use prior to the race/qualifying session. If there are remaining heats or qualifying time, a competitor will still be permitted to enter and will receive any new points or qualifying times providing the weight is re checked. 2) All classes will be given 10 minutes of free practice on the second day of a National event. Participation in this practice is not compulsory. This is subject to change in the event of Force Majeure. 3) Further clarification to helmet colours mentioned in the previous bulletin: a combination of permitted colours as described in the rules may be used rather than one single colour on each helmet. 4) Please ensure that you always have a copy of your rulebook & all other documents with you at all Test, Club & National Racing events. 5) Please be aware that there is a worrying rise in incidents of bad sportsmanship, unacceptable behavior and bullying within the sport involving Officials, The Staff of the Powerboat Racing Department, Competitors and their associates. The new Powerboat Racing Committee will be drafting some very strong guidelines and improving the disciplinary procedure in order to deal more effectively with these incidents. This kind of behavior is not welcome within the sport and there will be careful monitoring of the situation throughout the remainder of the season. 6) A further reminder that all competitors are required to attend prize giving as per rule E34.b of the PB2.
CRC Bulletin 15.08.16 The Circuit Racing Committee (CRC) would like to convey the following information to all Circuit Competitors and Officials: 1) Drivers of boats with reinforced cockpits and scrutineers are reminded that there should be padding on the inside of the cockpit in line with UlM Rule 509.08 which states:- "Energy absorbing foam padding is to be strategically placed inside the cockpit limiting sideto-side bead movement and amas whlere knees, bands, etc., might impact" 2) Drivers Briefings should only be attended by DRIVERS and it is highly recommended that one member of the driver's pit crew should also attend. Junior drivers MUST have their responsible adult present. Only drivers are allowed to speak / ask questions. 3) Junior drivers are required to have a responsible adult that signs in at the event. This should remain as the same personal throughout the event and should only be changed in exceptional circumstances and must be notified to the 000 and / or Race Secretary. Where a Responsible Adult is required to be in attendance, eg Drivers Briefing, it must be the person that has signed in. 4) To be implemented immediately: Where two or more competitors are tied on points at the end of a race weekend the final positions will determined based on the best results achieved in any race i.e. the driver with the most 1st /2nd places etc. If still tied, the fastest race time from the event will be used. In the unlikely event that more than one competitor has the same race time, the fastest race lap from the event races will be used to determine the final results. 5) To be implemented immediately: Any boat judged by the 000 to be causing an obstruction to other competitors will be disqualified from the qualifying / practice session and may be black flagged. Other penalties may also apply. 6) The use of Radios will be permitted in boats with reinforced cockpits (F2 and F4) at the event at Stewartby on 17th and 18th September on a trial basis. Any drivers using radios should specify a radio person who will have to sign in, attend drivers briefing and stand in a designated area whenever the boat is on the course. 7) The Final Round of the 2016 RYA Powerboat GP Championship at Stewartby on 17th and 18th September has been upgraded to an International Ordinary event. All National licence holders will be eligible for this event as their licences will be re-desig nated "lnternational Provisional". This is on a trial basis with the pilan, if successful, to make future National events International Ordinary events and to reclassify National Licences as International Provisional, which will entitle holders to compete in an International Ordinary event in the UK only. Titled events in the UK and ALL foreign International events will still require a Full International Licence.
Response to recent news reports reference Powerboat Racing at Bristol Docks It has been recently brought to the RYA's attention that there have been some advanced discussions taking place with local council representatives and dignitaries with a view to powerboat racing returning to Bristol docks. The RYA can confirm that no authorised person or club has made contact with the relevant local authorities in Bristol which leads us to believe that the RY A & the sport has been incorrectly represented in these misleading discussions. The event in Bristol is an important part of Powerboat Racing history and we remember the positive contribution to the local area and exciting entertainment that it provided for the public and competitors. The venue has provided the sport with plenty of good memories, pictures, footage and stories that are all fondly remembered. Sadly, we also remember the more unpleasant aspects of this venue which we must never forget when addressing one of the most important aspects of our sport, safety. What was acceptable in the past is often not compatible with modern safety requirements and Bristol Docks falls into this category. Since racing ceased at this venue, there has been no major redevelopment work to make the area previously raced on more suitable for our requirements. This is unlikely to ever happen and would be an unreasonable expectation for tens of millions of pounds to be spent for a minority purpose. Therefore we confirm that the decision previously taken to refrain from racing at this venue still remains in place as there has been no significant infrastructure changes made in order for the decision to be reviewed.