IMPBA District 12 stuff for 2013

[Chilli]

Happy New year folks. I hope everyone had a nice holiday season.

I just wanted to touch base with everyone and let them know what is going on for this coming year. We will have a district winter meeting some time in February and discuss any rule and class changes plus the district race schedule. I will post the results of the meeting as soon as it happens. If anyone has any questions or wants to propose any rule changes, please let me know. I don't foresee too many changes this year. There has not been any major problems with the current FE rules and we have a class for just about any FE boat. The only rule proposal I have heard that may be brought up is in the D12 Stock Gas class where Sport Hydro's may no longer be permitted. We also will take a look at whether we to bring back the district points series. I think a decision on that will be most dependant on whether or not we get a full, five district race schedule. In other scuttlebutt (Navy talk), look for the possibility of having wrist bands issued at D12 races this year. This is a safety issue and is intended to ensure only IMPBA members are allowed in designated areas such as the hot pits. Also, please make sure you renew your IMPBA membership this year. We had a few clubs in the IMPBA placed on probation last year for allowing people to race without a current membership. Host clubs will be diligent in checking cards at all D12 events!!!.

We had the last district race and a fun run cancelled last fall due to low water and excessive vegetation in the water, so I don't know if the district race schedule will be changed significantly. Last I heard ODMBA in Chesapeake, VA is still working on getting their pond back. We'll hope for the best. The Balitmore club pond at Greenbrier State Park was partially drained and had a channel cut on the side we race on so it will be deeper in some areas. Work is complete and it's slowly filling back up with water so it should be filled up by the spring.

So far for 2013 there is a 2 Lap record trials event tentatively scheduled for April 19-21 in Franklin, VA and hosted by ODMBA. The Capitol Club district race is tentatively scheduled for the weekend of June 21-23.

We have a few new FE members in the Capitol Club this year and possibly a few more in the Baltimore Club. I know the economy is still sucking wind but I hope we can get more FE boaters to travel to district events outside their local area this year. Going to just one extra race makes a big impact. I'm also on the look out for Tarheel boaters to attend the race in Greensboro this year. We've got enough of them on OSE and it's time to show that part of the district what FE racing is all about.

All the current district rules, classes and known race dates are posted on the Capitol RC Model Boat Club web site. I will keep it updated. Post away if any of you have any comments, ideas or proposals. I would also like to see what you guys are building this winter!!