IMPBA D12 FE Racing in 2011 (MD, DE, DC, VA, NC) discussion

[Chilli]

I've actually got a little free time and just wanted to open a new thread for D12 FE racing for 2011. To say we broke the ice in 2010 would be an understatement. Thanks to all of you for making it happen! It looks like just about all of us have projects on the bench for next year, so I imagine things are only going to get bigger and better next year.

Here is where we're at for 2011 in a nutshell:
We just finished up a trial year with combined nitro/electric classes for P-spec Hydro, P-spec outboard tunnel and P-mono. Things couldn't have gone any better! I expect the classes to be voted permanent at the district 12 meeting over the winter. Voting is done by district club officers. Now, what's in store for the 2011? I have to give Don a call but I think the trend is going to continue to try and bolster nitro classes that have been having light turn outs. I think Don wants to combine the bigger nitro hydro classes into a Open Nitro/FE hydro class. I think he also wants a combined Nitro/FE 1/8th scale class (with the parity rule). Personally I would also like to see Open Nitro Mono become Open Nitro/FE mono. So I'm pretty sure that's what we're looking at for next year. These possible new additions will have to be proposed and approved at the winter meeting before it's a done deal. Also remember FE's can run in Open Cat and Open offshore. But you better have a boat that's capable of running with big gas boats.

Now, some of you may be thinking down the road and wondering what's it going to take for us to get a class of our own? Don often gets asked to add classes for the district race series. His response is always the same. "Show me the money". Whether gas, nitro or FE. That means get a group of guys to build the boats for the class that you want to run and bring them to the races. And not just one or two district races. You have to have enough participation at almost all the district races. That's the only way we're going to get our own FE classes in the future. We had a great turn out at Chesapeake, but we had just one FE in Greensboro, two in Queenstown, one in Centreville and one in Hagerstown. So at this point ,we are not in a position to ask for anything. But as FE's get more exposure and their numbers grow, so will be our ability to get our own separate FE classes.

I hope you all have a great, safe Holiday season. I can't wait till spring!!!

[Chilli]

Distric 12 FE rules can be found here:

http://www.impba.net/index.php?optio...catid=17&id=65

[Diegoboy]

I still express my absolute disgust for #6. Before the dawn of brushless motors, there was no rule like #6 applied to nitro.
I know, I know...

[Chilli]

Point taken Danny. The only class this was a factor for last year was B/P-Mono. All the spec classes played nice with the B nitro classes with no complaints. If we run a Open Nitro/FE Hydro and Mono class next year, this rule should not apply. Open means Open. But we are probably looking at a parity rule for the 1/8th Scale class. Don will let us know when the D12 winter meeting is. If you want to come up to Richmond to request any rule changes, that would be cool. If you don't want to, I'll be happy to bring up anyones requests.

[Diegoboy]

Mike, If I'm off that day, I'd be happy to attend

[don ferrette]

Point taken Danny. The only class this was a factor for last year was B/P-Mono. All the spec classes played nice with the B nitro classes with no complaints. If we run a Open Nitro/FE Hydro and Mono class next year, this rule should not apply. Open means Open. But we are probably looking at a parity rule for the 1/8th Scale class. Don will let us know when the D12 winter meeting is. If you want to come up to Richmond to request any rule changes, that would be cool. If you don't want to, I'll be happy to bring up anyones requests.

The parity rule will remain for B/P mono and also apply in 1/8 scale if we combine which we probably will do. I'm already working on the details as I plan to run an FE scale for 2011 as well. Open nitro/FE hydro and open nitro/FE mono may have an 8S cap on power but that's probably all. Again still working on the final details......

[Diegoboy]

well I guess there's no need for me to attend now.

[Doug Smock]

The parity rule will remain for B/P mono and also apply in 1/8 scale if we combine which we probably will do. I'm already working on the details as I plan to run an FE scale for 2011 as well. Open nitro/FE hydro and open nitro/FE mono may have an 8S cap on power but that's probably all. Again still working on the final details......

With a 8s cap on FE will you be keeping the 101s out of the open classes?

Doug

[Chilli]

Or KP with a .60

[don ferrette]

With a 8s cap on FE will you be keeping the 101s out of the open classes?

Doug

Based on MANY conversations will well versed experienced "big block" FE guys as well as my own research a properly set up 8S will be as fast or faster than any of the big block nitro motors. Of course like anything else things can be tweaked if needed as we go. Just like before, you gotta walk before you run.

[Doug Smock]

Or KP with a .60

[Doby]

I still express my absolute disgust for #6. Before the dawn of brushless motors, there was no rule like #6 applied to nitro.
I know, I know...

Rule #6,,,thats hilarious.....hopefully someone put that in there as a bad joke. De-Tune the boat.....how far it is de-tuned is really up in the air...how about till the noisy and stinky boats are all faster than the electric one.....do the noisy and stinky guys have the final say on when its de-tuned enough

Sadly pathetic.

[don ferrette]

Rule #6,,,thats hilarious.....hopefully someone put that in there as a bad joke. De-Tune the boat.....how far it is de-tuned is really up in the air...how about till the noisy and stinky boats are all faster than the electric one.....do the noisy and stinky guys have the final say on when its de-tuned enough

Sadly pathetic.

So this is a productive statement in what way? At least here in D12 we are moving FORWARD in bringing FE into the mainstream. Until such a time that FE can stand on it's own concessions will be needed to keep things level and having a place to play. Sure beats the alternative........

[Doug Smock]

Sadly pathetic.

Actually fellas it makes perfect sense. Put yourself in a nitro racers shoes. You've been doing fine for all of these years and then these FE guys show up and clean your clock. How long would you let them play in your sandbox????
Exactly.
At the end of the day it can work, and D12 proved that last year. Well except for that one guy.LOL

D.

[Doby]

Its hard to keep things "level" when there is a rule in place that can never be accuratley inforced. Its way to subjective and there will never be any agreement on when a boat is "de-tuned" enough.

Rules like that only add to the ongoing confusion. Apples and Oranges can only play nicely in the "open" classes.

[Doug Smock]

I guess they failed miserably last year. I'll let you break the news to them. LOL
As you were fellas.

Doug

[Doby]

What do the rules say if a nitro boat is faster than the FE boat?

Please use a restrictor plate on your carb or don't go past 1/2 throttle so the FE guy can keep up?

Sorry, I see that Diego's apparently got the right idea...... and bend over .

I'll have to bring this up at our clubs meetings as we prepare for this season's race schedule (yes, mixed events as well)

[Diegoboy]

It'll be de-tuned enough when you are behind all the nitro guys i guess.

[Doug Smock]

I'll have to bring this up at our clubs meetings as we prepare for this season's race schedule (yes, mixed events as well)

No need to do that Doby. Just go out there and smoke em so to speak and see how it works for ya.

Have a good one fellas!
Doug

[don ferrette]

I guess they failed miserably last year. I'll let you break the news to them. LOL
As you were fellas.

Doug

Yessiree what a failure of a season especially with an FE winning the hotly contested B/P hydro class. Bottom line it's our sandbox and we will do what works for the majority of our district members. We had alot of fun last season and it will be even better for 2011. Nobody is twisting anyone's arm, you can play by our rules or find another sandbox.........

And BTW- Diegoboy, how much racing did you do in D12 last year??

[Doby]

Yessiree what a failure of a season especially with an FE winning the hotly contested B/P hydro class. Bottom line it's our sandbox and we will do what works for the majority of our district members. We had alot of fun last season and it will be even better for 2011. Nobody is twisting anyone's arm, you can play by our rules or find another sandbox.........

And BTW- Diegoboy, how much racing did you do in D12 last year??

As an IMPBA member, when I read rules like that I wonder sometimes why I joined.

I'll try and keep our sandbox cleaner

[Diegoboy]

Sandbox, litterbox it's all the same to me.

[egneg]

Well this thread is headed towards the crapper.

All I can say is that ODMBA was great to me this past season and the guys all helped to make me feel welcome. I ran FE only and the District race with P-mono and the electric shootout was fantastic. I really look forward to this coming season.

[Diegoboy]

And BTW- Diegoboy, how much racing did you do in D12 last year??

2 heats. That really doesn't matter, because I represent the new and potential members for the IMPBA. Looking at a rule like that, it makes people seriously consider not joining, or buy into a dying technology since the rules favor that. Asking a question like that only shows you trying to discredit me so nothing I say matters.

What do the rules say if a nitro boat is faster than the FE boat?
Please use a restrictor plate on your carb or don't go past 1/2 throttle so the FE guy can keep up?

Sorry, I see that Diego's apparently got the right idea...... and bend over .

I'll have to bring this up at our clubs meetings as we prepare for this season's race schedule (yes, mixed events as well)

Doby, That was brought up many times, and in this thread twice, but it keeps getting ignored.

[Diegoboy]

I agree Egneg.
Everyone else, I apologize for voicing my opinions, especially the opinions that don't agree with yours.

[Chilli]

Well I started a new thread hoping we could keep things positive for the new year.

For the record, I was the one who composed/compiled the D12 FE rules. If anyone has any question how a particular rule came into being, PM me and I'll tell you the reason why the rule is in place. I also posted drafts of the proposed rules on this board several times prior to the winter meeting last year and got zero negative feedback.

This time last year we had no FE classes in D12 and I was building a gas boat because I didnt know if I was going to have a class to race in. Last summer we ran FE's in three classes. Don is working on doubling that in 2011. How many other districts have seen that kind of FE growth in less than a year???

So whats the problem???

The glass is 3/4 full guys!!!!

[Diegoboy]

Sorry Mike,
I simply stated my opinion in an open forum where not only is it permitted, but encouraged, then it just went south

[Chilli]

No problem Danny. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Once we get FE participation up, we will be in better position to ask the district for rule changes, our own classes, etc.

Now, lets all get ready for 2011.

PS- Steve has some UL-1 cooling jackets in stock if anyone needs one. They had been out of stock for a while.

[hazegry]

Sorry guys I am having issues with rule #8 subsection c saying what esc you have to run ESC isnt going to give a speed advantage just insurance for my wallet as a new esc isn't cheap. detuning isnt an issue for me yet I got to get around the track first. I hope we can get enough FE guys so the detuning rule becomes mute. the nitro guys are going to come around eventually. I will give it a go but if I am going thru ESC's left and right I will have to call it quits. I was trying to get a spec rigger going for hydro but now I will just run the tunnel and see how it goes. That way I have more funds for ESC's the season just started lets try to have some fun.

[Diegoboy]

Choices are:
Pop your esc -> loose the race
or
Back off the agressive driving -> loose the race

It's designed for failure