Hydroplane racing
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Hydroplane racing (also known as hydro racing) is a sport involving racing hydroplanes on lakes, rivers, and bays. It is a popular spectator sport in several countries.
Racing circuits
International professional outboard hydroplane racing
The Union Internationale Motonautique (or "UIM", headquartered in Europe) sanctions many different hydroplane categories of hydroplane powerboat racing. International UIM F-125, F-250, F-350 and F-500 Circuit powerboat races are very popular in Europe, Asia, and the United States. UIM's O-series hydroplane Formula Circuit racing events are some of the most prestigious Professional Racing Outboard (PRO) hydroplane events in the world. National
Grand Prix hydroplane racing
Grand Prix (GP) is a class of boats featuring supercharged big-block V8 piston engines producing as much as 1,500 horsepower. The 23- to 26-foot craft are fast—routinely attaining speeds in excess of 170 miles per hour (273.5 km/h) in the straights. This class of boat races in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Unlimited hydroplane racing
Although bit of a misnomer as the boats aren't without limits, unlimited hydroplanes have much fewer restrictions than with limited hydroplane racing. These 30 foot, 6,800 lbs boats most often powered by a
Stock and modified outboard racing
Stock Outboard Racing uses both hydroplane and runabout or monoplane hulls with racing engines that use a service outboard powerhead and a racing lower unit with a direct drive (i.e. start in gear, no gear reduction). Racing in this form ranges from classes designated as follows: A Class, B Class, C Class and D Class. There is also a Junior or "J" Class for kids between the ages of 9 and 16 years of age. The engine sizes range from 9.9 horsepower (7.4 kW) to 50 horsepower (37 kW) with speeds from 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) to 90 miles per hour (140 km/h). In the C Stock Class, the Yamato Motor Company engines used in Kyōtei boat racing (with parimutuel betting) in Japan, are reconditioned, shipped to the United States and used for racing in these classes.
Modified Outboard Hydroplane Racing classes are powered by modified stock outboard class motors. Motor modifications are limited to strict motor specifications and equipment alterations defined and published in APBA category rule books for these outboard hydroplane racing classes. Both stock and modified outboard classes run on a circular or triangular race course using a 3-minute "milling warm-up" period before a "flying" clock start. Heats usually consist of three laps around a closed race course. Drivers are disqualified if they cross the starting line before the official heat's clock start time (called "jumping the gun".) Just like the Stock & PRO hydroplane racing categories of APBA, the Modified hydroplane racing category membership has its own governing powerboat racing committee and rules book.
Safety improvements
In the early days of hydroplane racing, accidents, and even the deaths of drivers, were considered somewhat routine (which was also the case on most early motor racing). As top speeds increased, more attention was paid to driver safety, much like with driver safety programs being instituted in most motor racing series today, such as
Notable figures
Current unlimited hydroplane drivers
Notable unlimited hydroplanes—present and past
Present
Past
Notable former unlimited hydroplane owners (O) and drivers (D)
- Stanley Sayres O
- Bernie Little O
- Chip Hanauer D
- Ron Musson D
- Ole BardahlO
- Bill Muncey D & O
- Guy Lombardo D & O
- Dean Chenoweth D
- Gar Wood D & O
See also
- Motorboat racing
- parimutuelhydroplane boat races in Japan and South Korea
External links
- APBA-Racing.com – United States UIM National Authority for all power boat racing
- H1 Unlimited – major unlimited hydroplane racing league
- Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum – located in Kent, Washington, contains many hydros from the 1950s – 1980s
- CBFNC.ca – the Canadian authority for UIM powerboat racing
- US Title Series – APBA – PRO Outboard Racing
- HydroRacing.com – Tri-City Herald's online coverage of the Columbia Cup since 1996
- Grand Prix West Hydroplane Association (GPW) – Grand Prix hydroplane class and club in the American Power Boat Association
- Formula Series UIM Championships – Formula Series OSY400, F-125, F-250, F-350 & F-500 UIM Championships
- QuincyLooperRacing.US – history of Quincy Welding, Quincy Looper outboard racing engines and hydroplane / runabout racing
- Stars of Powerboating – database of powerboating champions
- Hydroplane Racing League - Features races in 2.5 liter, formula 2500, JSS, Hydro 350 cubic inch and Grand Prix classes.