Mid Atlantic Boaters, lets break the FE barrier in IMPBA D12

[Chilli]

Yep, something new. And from the looks of it, it's for everyone. Not just new members. Their intent is good but I think they are going about it the wrong way.

[egneg]

Chuck, I knew you had a set of the Turnigy's but didnt know they were the 35C's

I stand corrected you were right they are the 30C.

[dirtysouth31]

the rules is not the problem its the crazy driving..should implement a driving school,need to complete all laps with out bout cuts or hitting dead boats...i used to hang tight on the bouys during a race with my rigger;takes some practice buts its easier that way

[Chilli]

I know what you mean Don. The novice class is the "girlfriend, wife and kid" class. There is no mentorship program for new drivers. Most just buy a boat and jump right in. I had no idea what to expect the first race or how to run it.

Do you still have any boats Don? Why don't you join us next year.....

[dirtysouth31]

dont have anything anymore...naw im good

[Meniscus]

My offer still stands Don, if you'd like to run a boat, you're more than welcome to run one of mine, No Problem!

[Chilli]

Well, D12 wrapped up its season with a fun run last Sunday. Weather was terrible all day with temps in the low 50's and showers all day. Despite the weather, there was a good turn out. There was no points series to worry about and the race format was very relaxed. Everyone had a great time. I got a chance to be a pit man for a half dozen gas heats so that was new experience for me. I ran two heats with the open nitro mono guys. The first heat I finished third. The winning boat had about a half lap on me. For the final heat, I put on my X642 even though I was still using my Etti 150. At the start, the torque of the electric motor blew me away as I shot into first place by about 30 feet. I should of taken lane one, buy I held my lane and got passed on the back stretch. The winning boat pulled out about a hundred feet ahead of me. I pretty much chased him for the remainder of the heat, making up ground on some laps and loosing some on the next. I ended up finishing second by about a hundred feet. Overall I was pretty happy how thing turned out and I think I surprised allot of people. I also got a few positive comments on the gas board.

So 2009 is a wrap and I couldn't be happier with the progress we have made in 12 months. Next year WILL be the break out year and we can make a huge impact in D12 if we have the participation. The ball is in our court.

[egneg]

As things turned out I was not able to make either of the ODMBA events. But I did get some stuff to work on my P-mono and I will have it ready for next year. Congrats Mike on how well you did this year!

[Doug Smock]

So 2009 is a wrap and I couldn't be happier with the progress we have made in 12 months. Next year WILL be the break out year and we can make a huge impact in D12 if we have the participation. The ball is in our court.

Well done!!!!!!!!
Keep up the good work!!!!!!

Doug

[Chilli]

We'll, we have made signicant progress this week. I have spent some time on the International Waters forum where most of the nitro guys hang out. I have solicited input from the D12 racers about FE racing. Our mentor Doug Smock was nice enough to take the initiative and call Don on our behalf and spend a significant time on the phone talking about FE racing and what would be required to accomodate us. Don is concerned about the number of classes being run in the district races and appears to be in favor on combining classes with the nitro guys. We got input from a few racers outside the district that have run FE's and nitro's together. I also found a few nitro racers in the district that would like to run a FE next year. One of them being one of the top dog tunnel drivers in the district who already owns a P-spec tunnel and would like to see a P-spec tunnel class. I'm also pretty sure he is a ODMBA member.

I initially wanted a separate, all inclusive hydro class for everyone to run what they want and get a taste of racing. But a monkey wrench has been thrown into that idea with Don and some of the nitro racers wanting us to run with the nitro's . So based on all the info gathered and taking into account the type of hull most popular with those considering joining us next year, I will probably propose to the distrtrict that we run a P-mono class combined with the B-mono and a P-spec (UL-1, SV27, BJ26 motor) hydro class combined with the B-hydro. There might be some rules put in place that would eliminate some advantages of the FE over nitro, like calling a dead boat if a FE gets in a situation that would kill a nitro motor.

Although there are people that think running classes combined is not the optimal way to go, at this point I think it would be in our best interest. It will give us a chance to build boats and know we will be able to race them without worrying if there will be enough entries to make a heat. And at this point, any FE exposure will hopefully give us the jumpstart we need to get on our feet and bring others aboard.

All this being said, I got on the waiting list for Zippkits JAE21 FE version rigger. $95 shipped. Should be fun, cheap and competitive with P-spec power.

I'm a little burned out on all this political crap and I don't think there is anything more I can do except see what happens at the D12 meeting in February. I just want to build some boats and have some fun racing. Thats what it's all about!!!!

Doug, I've said it before. You're da man!

Peace out!!

Mike

[egneg]

Great news Mike. I thank you and Doug for all that you have done!

[Doug Smock]

Glad to help!!!
Good luck at the Dist. meeting fellas!!

Doug

[Doug Smock]

Too Cool!!!!!!!!

Hi Mike,
I recieved a package full of great stuff from Hickory Farms!!!
You're class act my brother!!

Happy Holidays Fellas, and I hope your new year is full of great friends and good racing in D-12!!

Thanks Mike!!
All the best,
Doug

[Chilli]

My pleasure Doug. On behalf of all the 2010 D12 FE racers, I just wanted to send a little token of our appreciation for all you have done to keep us motivated and steer us on the right course.

Have a great holiday!

[Chilli]

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 Doug Smock and The D12 Director. I posted my intentions on the IW board where allot of nitro guys hang out and the reponce has been overwhelmingly positive. I have tried to address everyone's concerns and this is what I have come up with. If anyone has any final suggestions or corrections, let me know. This proposal if from/for all of us.

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.