It's Official- IMPBA D12 is racing FE's in 2010 !!!!

[Chilli]

Hey Guys, Just got back from Richmond. The District 12 meeting went well. We had some spirited debate on the subject of FE's and the district club officers voted overwhelmingly to let FE racers run in combined classes with the nitro guys in P-mono/B-mono, P-spec hydro/B-hydro and P-spec tunnel/B-tunnel. The rules need to be tweaked. Members that were present wanted more stringent spec rules so we will be running spec speed controllers among other things. Once the rules are finalized, I will post them here.

Here is the D12 Race Schedule for 2010.
May 14-16, Greensboro, NC
June 4-6, Queenstown, MD
June 25-27, Centreville, VA
August 27-29, Chesapeake, VA
September 24-26, Hagerstown, MD

Other Races:
Cheaspeake Bay Gas Clash: Queenstown, MD July 30-Aug 1st

We have a new web master for the D12 web site. Hopefully it will be updated shortly.

https://www.impba12.com/index.htm

Thank you all for your encouragement, support and guidance.
Special thanks to Doug Smock for his leadership.

[egneg]

Hey Guys, Just got back from Richmond. The District 12 meeting went well. We had some spirited debate on the subject of FE's and the district club officers voted overwhelmingly to let FE racers run in combined classes with the nitro guys in P-mono/B-mono, P-spec hydro/B-hydro and P-spec tunnel/B-tunnel. The rules need to be tweaked. Members that were present wanted more stringent spec rules so we will be running spec speed controllers among other things. Once the rules are finalized, I will post them here.

Here is the D12 Race Schedule for 2010.
May 14-16, Greensboro, NC
June 4-6, Queenstown, MD
June 25-27, Centreville, VA
August 27-29, Chesapeake, VA
September 24-26, Hagerstown, MD

Other Races:
Cheaspeake Bay Gas Clash: Queenstown, MD July 30-Aug 1st

We have a new web master for the D12 web site. Hopefully it will be updated shortly.

https://www.impba12.com/index.htm

Thank you all for your encouragement, support and guidance.
Special thanks to Doug Smock for his leadership.

Great news Mike!
Looks like they are afraid of getting their A$$e$ kicked with the added spec ESC rules. It looks like I will try Tim as a contact as I still have not heard back from Preston Hall at ODMBA, but it could be that they were busy getting ready for the meeting.

[Chilli]

Actually Chuck, The guys that requested the rule change have FE tunnels and were more concerned with parity among the FE boats. I incorporated rules that they have run under at the Tunnel Championships in Charleston (mooched NAMBA rules).

It's gonna be a great year !!!

[Doug Smock]

Congratulations fellas, great news!!!!!

Chuck nobody likes to get their butt handed to them by technology or some guys wallet.
As long as you guys are competitive and NOT running over the top setups, you should have a good relationship with the nitro racers.
Maybe I can make one of your races this year, that would be a hoot!

Best of luck to you guys!!!!!!!!!! Now get some boats to the pond!!!!!!
Again, good work!!!!!
Doug

[D&D]

Congradulations, good job Mike. I'll have to try and get to the Greensboro event and watch you FE guys run.

[HOTWATER]

Heyyyy...Great job Mike! You're the man!!

Running a spec esc will be no problem. I think that having good driving skills will matter more than just having a fast boat...I like it!!

Doug, it would be fantastic to see you at one of the dist. 12 races!!

Let the trailblazing begin!!!!!!!

-Kent

[Chilli]

Dennis, I wasnt planning on going down to Greensboro, but a few of the electric tunnel racers are going to be there so I might just head on down there. I'll let you know.

[D. Newland]

Great work, Mike! Keep us posted on the progress you guys make for 2010.

I'm sure the FE racers in Dist 12 recognize your efforts and that they themselves make the effort field FE boats at these events. The follow through is going to be critical as you guys are really in uncharted territory for 2010...and it's great to see it!

[Chilli]

Thanks for the kind words David. It didnt take much effort. And I hope I will be an example for anyone who wants to get into FE racing where it isnt yet supported.

Here is what will hopefully be the final draft of the FE rules that we will be running this year. Barring any strong objections which I do not anticipate, this will be it guys. It may be tweaked by the district during the year if any unforseen problems arise. We have to make some concessions to even out the playing field with the nitro guys. But we are getting three classes this year which is very generous considering there were only two FE boats running novice last year. Like David said in the previous post. The ball is in our court now. We more than got our foot in the door. IMO the future is looking bright, We already have 5 nitro/gas drivers that will be running FE hydro's and tunnels.

Proposed D12 Open & 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. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, any FE boats having a noticeable speed advantage over the faster nitro boats will be asked to detune their boats to ensure competitive racing. If they do not comply, they shall be disqualified from the class for the race weekend.

7. 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.

8. FE "P" Spec Hydro/Tunnel Rules:
A. Motor Specifications
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 past, current, and/or future Ready-to-Run offerings by various manufacturers. Only motors and ESCs on the approved motor list shall be allowed. Motors and ESCs may be mixed and matched amongst the approved parts as desired. Motors and ESCs are intended to be used as they are supplied. Therefore, no alterations or modifications are allowed, unless specifically stated in these rules. Motor shall be directly connected to the output drive shaft, no gear/belt over/under drives will be allowed.
B. Approved Motors
The motors approved for P-Spec racing are:
ProBoat - PBR3310 A3630-1500 4 pole brushless motor (BJ26, Formula FastTech, Miss Elam FE)
AquaCraft - AQUG7000 L36/56 7.2-18V 6 pole brushless motor (SV27), AQUG7001 36-56-2030 6 pole brushless motor (UL-1 Superior)
C. Approved Electronic Speed Controls (ESC):
The ESCs approved for P-Spec racing are:
ProBoat - PBR3309 45 amp brushless ESC (BJ26, Formula FastTech, Miss Elam FE)
AquaCraft - AQUM7010 AquaCraft 45 amp waterproof ESC (SV27), AQUM7011 AquaCraft 60 amp water cooled/proof ESC (UL-1 Superior)
D. Cooling: Motors and ESCs may be cooled as desired. Water jackets, cooling plates, electronic fans, etc., may be added as desired, so long as they don't perform an otherwise illegal function.
E. Contacts and Wiring: Originally supplied contacts may be replaced. Wire length on the power and phase leads may be altered to facilitate installation. If lengthening the original wires, additional wire may be added to the factory supplied wires. If shortening the original wires, the final contact to the Motor or ESC must be made using the original wiring. The intent of this rule is to prevent the removal and replacement of the original wiring in its entirety, by requiring that the final contact to the Motor or ESC be made by the original wiring.
F. Capacitors: Extra Capacitors may be used to protect the speed controller from ripple current.
G. Battery: Any amount and/or size of motors, any endbell, bearings, and magnets. Power Limits: 10.1 to 15 Volts nominal, any chemistry. Maximum of 2 packs in parallel. Maximum capacity of 10,000 mAh
H. Hull: In P-Spec Tunnel Class only Outboard Tunnel Hulls may be used.

[egneg]

Looks great Mike and seems to be more than fair.

[RandyatBBY]

The only thing I would add to #3 is a safety precaution, that if the FE boat is pointing into on coming traffic the FE boat is allowed to stop and wait until the oncoming traffic goes safely by the FE Boat. Then the boat can proceed to turn around and re enter the race.

In district 9 NAMBA we also give a 5 second count in case of a thermal shut down. Unless you impede a moving boat then it is a disqualification.

[Chilli]

Thats a tough one Randy. We're trying to even up the playing field with the nitro guys. I hope our drivers will use good judgement and take the DNF rather than risk smacking another boat. We're in uncharted territory and will wear out our welcome real quick if we dont use our noggins.

[Diegoboy]

While running a brushless motor, we typically remove the motor decal to install a water jacket correct? What's to stop someone from getting one of these Ammo 36-56-2600 and passing it off as a UL-1 spec motor 36-56-2030? Both are the same gold color, both are the exact same dimensions. How would one know? Shouldn't there be more validation for this?

[RandyatBBY]

Thats a tough one Randy. We're trying to even up the playing field with the nitro guys. I hope our drivers will use good judgement and take the DNF rather than risk smacking another boat. We're in uncharted territory and will wear out our welcome real quick if we dont use our noggins.

I race with the nitro guys all the time. I really want to make it evan too. I was looking at your rules to take part of them and write ones for my district.

Ya know with a nitro or gas boat they do not die every time they flip or do something weird. We have a 5 second rule if we stop for any reason we have 5 seconds to get going or it is a DNF.

My thought is to take the basic rules we have in FE Racing and blend them.

[HOTWATER]

Randy, I really like the 5 second rule! When I used to run my glow boats, they would sometimes go completely under the water and come up seemingly dead but gurgling and then come right back alive...Great point out!! I think there should be a given time to get your boat collected....

Mike....?

-Kent