Here is the the proposal I am going to email to all D12 club officers and have my club president submit at the D12 district meeting next month. It has been looked over by Don and Doug Smock the D13 FE director. I have tried to address everyone's concerns and this is what I have come up with. Please discuss any opinions and suggestions with your club officers as the will be voting on this at the D12 meeting next month.
District 12 FE Proposal
My name is Mike "Chilli" Chirillo. I am an IMPBA D12 member and member of the Capitol RC Model Boat Club. My son and I attended several district events over the last year running in the novice class. My son will continue in the novice class, but I will be looking for a new challenge in 2010. We had such a great time racing this past year that I have been searching for FE boaters in the region to race in our district. I have rounded up a few new district members and am now asking you all to consider including FE’s in next year’s district schedule. I think it would be beneficial for all parties. It would give us a place to race and enjoy the camaraderie shared in D12. It would also be a new source of growth for the district. I am requesting the opportunity to run two classes so that FE racers can run more than just one or two heats per day. I also request that Fast Electric RTR’s are welcome in the RTR class. I have solicited input from district nitro racers in the International Waters forum. With their input, I have come up with some options and rules to include fast electrics in next year’s schedule. I ask that you discuss this issue with as many of your club members as possible so that we may get everyone’s opinion and ensure there will be no surprises for any D12 members next spring.
Here are some options for including FE classes in district races:
Option 1: Advertise Two Separate FE Classes in District Race fliers: P-mono and P-Spec hydro. Three boat minimum to make a class. No class if minimum count not met.
Pros: Nitro classes would remain segregated. No changes.
Cons: Increased heats in an already busy race schedule. Frustration and discouragement among the new FE racers if there are not enough entries to make a class.
Option 2: Run Two combined classes: B-mono/P-mono and B-hydro/P-Spec Hydro.
Pros: Little chance of increasing the number of heats in a race weekend. FE and in some instances nitro racers would be assured of having required minimum number of boats to make a class (B-mono only had two entries at the Chesapeake race in 2009).
Cons: Possible animosity among nitro drivers. Accommodations and rules needed to address equipment limitations and advantages between FE and Nitro boats (Rules Proposal Below).
Although it would be nice for worthy FE members to receive awards for their performance during a race weekend, I have no desire to disrupt the nitro class points championships.
As a D12 member I prefer option 2 to be run for a one year trial. If the combined classes do not work well in 2010, the exposure will at least give the FE classes the opportunity it needs to get on its own feet in 2011.
Proposed D12 FE/Nitro Combined Class Rules. Sections in red are not part of the rule, but an explanation to district and club officers of why the rule is needed.
1. All heats will be six laps unless specified in district race flyers. FE heats in Section J (Fast Electrics) are shorter. FE boaters need to know this so they can set up their boats for longer heats.
2. All heat starts will be in accordance with IMPBA Rulebook, Section G, Heat Racing Rules. Race starts (pit time & clock time) in Section J have different procedures. We want to keep in line with the nitro rules as much as possible to make things easier for the CDs and host club.
3. During a heat, a boat cannot stop for any reason. Doing so will result in being called a Dead Boat by the CD. A barrel roll, end over end flip or spin should not be called a dead boat as long as the boat continues in a forward motion. Racers shall respect the CD’s judgment. When called a dead boat and the boat is capable of maneuvering, the racer shall hold his position until cleared by the CD. When cleared, the racer shall give way to all boats racing, then proceed directly to the infield and come to a stop behind the start buoy until the end of the heat. This rule is to reduce the advantage FE boats may have during situations that would lead to a stalled motor in a nitro boat. This is a modified version of the FE rules found in section J and is more stringent to level the playing field.
4. At the end of a heat as a boat finishes, one of two methods may be used:
A. A racer may choose to do a cool down lap and will continue all the way around the course before coming to shore.
B. A racer may choose to park in the middle of the race course. After the racer finishes the heat, the racer shall give way to all other boats and when safe to do so, pull into the course infield. The racer shall come to a stop and hold his position until all boats on their cool down lap have returned to shore. Only then may the racer may bring their boat in. A boats electronic speed controller will build up more heat at partial throttle than at full throttle. The cool down lap after a heat can put additional strain on the ESC and possible destroy it. This is a modified version of the FE rules found in section J. Section J is geared toward FE only and says that the CD will pick one method for an end of race procedure. This is not an option when running combined classes.
5. A qualified FE racer shall be designated to retrieve all dead boats after a heat if there is a dead FE boat on the pond.
6. LiPo battery packs shall be charged on a flameproof surface such as a metal table, Pyrex Dish or Clay Pot. A dry fire extinguisher or extinguishing agent such as a bucket of sand shall be kept in all FE racers pit area or where batteries are being charged. LiPo packs got a bad rap when they first came into the RC world. Most mishaps occurred because people improperly handled them, abused them or continued to use damaged packs.
7. FE P-Spec Classes:: The intent of the P-Spec Motor Specifications is to define a motor and Electronic Speed Control (ESC) package to be used in Limited Spec class racing. Motors and ESCs in these specifications shall be based on readily available parts from Ready-to-Run offerings by various manufacturers.
P-Spec classes will be limited to use of one of the following brushless motors:
AquaCraft AQUG7000 brushless motor (SV27)
Aquacraft AQUG7001 brushless motor (UL-1 Superior)
ProBoat PBR3310 brushless motor (BJ26, Formula FastTech, Miss Elam FE)
No alterations or modifications to the motor are allowed. Originally supplied contacts may be replaced. Any electronic speed controller may be used. The P-spec classes have been a popular in clubs and districts running Fast Electric classes. They are low cost, reliable and readily available RTR motors that have found to be comparable in speed when raced in B-hydro and B-Outboard Tunnel class hulls. The motors selected are of comparable power and have been raced together successfully in other districts.
8. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, any FE boats having a noticeable speed advantage over the faster nitro boats in any heat other than open classes will be asked to detune their boats to ensure competitive racing. If they do not comply, they shall be disqualified from the class.
If adopted, I invite the district to add, delete or modify any of the proposed rules to best fit its needs. If the District chooses to run FE’s in separate classes, rule 3, 4, 8 can be omitted and FE racers will revert to racing under Section J of the IMPBA Rule Book. Rule 6 may be better suited for placement in the Districts safety rules.
