ABOUT BOAT RACING
APBA
The American Power Boat Association, established in 1903 to regulate competition between
boats racing on Long Island Sound, is the sanctioning body for boat racing in
the United States. The Union of International Motorboating (UIM), the recognized
authority located in Monoco, has authorized the APBA to be the exclusive authority
to sanction events in the United States. APBA racers can also compete internationally through
joint sanction agreements with organizations like the Canadian Boat Federation and the
Federacio'n Mexicana de Motornautica.
The APBA is headquartered in Detroit Michigan. The APBA annually sanctions nearly 300
events throughout the United States for its 7000 plus members in nine categories. The true
backbone of APBA is the local boating clubs who actually conduct the sanctioned races. The
over 60 inboard racing clubs alone host 50 to 60 events nation wide annually.
ABOUT THE BOATS
There are five basic hull designs that are used in Inboard Power Boat Racing:
Hydroplane, Runabout, tunnel and the Deep-V and Catamaran used in the offshore racing.
Classes in a racing division are usually separated by hull design. Further separation
involves engine size, allowable engine modifications and fuel used. Stock engines with
modified classes are allowed to add a wide variety of after market racing products.
INBOARD DIVISION
HYROPLANES
The most common hull associated with power boat racing is the Hydroplane -
a speed boat designed so its hull is partially or wholly raised
out of the water. When at high speeds, it rides on the curved or angled
projections attached to the main body of the hull called sponsons.
Traveling at high speeds it is the sponsons that give the hydro the ability
to travel or "walk" on the top of the water creating the familiar arch of
water called a "rooster tail". Hydroplanes are made up of 7 classes:
1.5 Litre
The 1.5 Litre class is the smallest of all the inboard hydroplanes. These mighty
hydros may reach speeds over 95 m.p.h.. The most engines utilized in this class are
the 4 cylinder 1200cc Toyota and the newer 1500cc Toyota. These boats must use pump
gas only. Somewhere between stock and modified, this is an economical class.
2.5 Litre Stock
This low cost stock class is one of the most popular for hydroplane racing.
The four cylinder 2000cc and 2.3 Litre Ford engines are the only two
engines allowed in this class. They run pump gas only, and are capable of
speeds over 100 m.p.h..
2.5 Litre Mod.
This class is for the racer that wants to express their ingenuity. The
engines must not exceed 155.5cc and not have more than two valves per cylinder.
Single overhead cam and pushrod engines are permitted. Fuel used can
be methanol, pump gas or aviation fuel. These modified hydros can
power to over 125 m.p.h..
5 Litre Stock
The 5 Litre class is a stock V8 class which offers engines from Ford,
Plymouth and Chevrolet not exceeding 305 cubic inches. The camshafts are stock,
carburators are the 2 jet venturi type and must run only pump gas. The rules are
spelled out clearly to encourage racing parity. These 5 litres will race side by
side at speeds over 115 m.p.h.. For the racer on a budget that wants to show or
perfect their driving skills, this is the class for you.
National Modified
The class is new, being formed by the combination of two of the oldest classes
in the inboard division, the 4 litres and the 6 litres. It is a unique class
offering many engine combinations. Anything from 4 cylinder modified, V6 or V8
modified, to even a 350 ci basically stock V8. With the wide variation of engines
and horse power allowed in the class it was necessary to regulate it through power,
weight and length rules. These hydros are capable of speeds reaching over 140 m.p.h. in race
configuration. If a competitor has the need for real speed, this may be your class.
Remember, this is not a class for the timid!
Grand National Hydro
The Grand National Hydro class is the biggest, fastest, naturally aspirated class in the
inboard division. The engines used are Ford, Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile, all
"Big Blocks" with a single 4 barrel carburetor on pump gas. Imagine a 150 m.p.h. twenty foot
hydro rounding the first turn with 7 other competitors with each throwing a seventy foot
wall of water!
FLATBOTTOMS
Commonly referred to as Runabouts. They are a displacement craft with a V type
hull usually sporting adjustable stern mounted cavitation plates. This gives the
driver the ability to control the attitude of the race boat on different parts of
the race course in different water conditions. They tend to plow through the water
rather than flying over the top of the water like the hydroplanes.... runabouts
take a fine touch to control.
Super Stock
The Super Stock class is one of the most popular of all the runabout classes.
With reliable stock big block power on pump gas the popularity among it's competitors
is easily understood. The class is highly competitive and capable of speeds of well over
100 m.p.h.. If your a competitor that likes close quarter racing this could be the class for you.
Pro Stock
The Pro Stock Runabout class allows highly modified 500 c.i.d. engines. Superchargers
and Turbochargers are not allowed, multi carburetors are most popular. Fuels
are limited to pump, aviation and/or methonal blends which accelerates to over 120+ m.p.h..
HOW TO WATCH A BOAT RACE
PRE-RACE PREPARATION:
Before each regatta every boat owner and driver must register their entry with race
officials. Normally this is done on the morning of the regatta. Each must sign the
official entry blanks, pay the entry fee, provide proof of membership in the A.P.B.A.
and an affiliated member club, and show proof of having a current FAA physical.
SAFETY:
Safety equipment is mandatory on all race boats participating in an A.P.B.A. event.
First and foremost is the equipment worn by the driver. Life jackets and helmets
must meet special requirements. Fire resistant driving suits, gloves and masks are
also worn by many drivers.
Every boat must pass a pre-race safety inspection by a registered safety inspector.
Before the boat can race the owner must present the inspection sheet signed by race
officials indicating that his boat and safety equipment, including cockpit capsules,
is in compliance with the safety rules established by the A.P.B.A..
All drivers of inboard boats with capsules must have been certified in capsule training.
RACE COURSE:
Most of the racing divisions compete on an oval race course completing a specified
number of laps to attain the specified distance necessary for national points.
The size of race courses vary depending on the race category. Most of the competing
boats in Region 10(our region) race a total distance of 5 miles. The course size
will be either 1 mile (5 laps), 1-1/4 mile (4 laps) or 1-2/3 mile (3 laps). Per A.P.B.A.
rules, in order to qualify for a competition speed record, you must compete
on a surveyed course.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR AT THE RACES
- Flags of different colors are used by Race officials to communicate to the drivers
when they are on the course.
- Approximately five minutes before the start of the race, a gun or horn is fired
and the green flag is raised to indicate the countdown to the start of the race.
- The drivers use this time to warm up their engines, acquaint themselves with
the race course, and plot their strategy for starting lanes.
- Exactly 60 seconds before the official start of the race a white flag is displayed
from the control tower and the course boats. The drivers than position themselves
on the back chute of the race course and begin motoring to the start/finish line.
- At the end of the 60 seconds the white flag is dropped signaling the official start
of the race.
- The green flag is again displayed at the start of the race until the
beginning of the final lap.
- The white flag is then displayed to signal the beginning of the final lap.
- A boat will be disqualified if is jumps the starting gun or crosses
another boat without a four boat length overlap or if it damages or dislodges a course
marker.
- The driver must also keep his boat within the race course boundaries only using
the infield during the warm-up period or if he has trouble during the race.
- Each class races two heats each day.
- Checkered flag displayed for finish of race.
THE FLAGS
The only communications between the officials on the dock (or beach) and the
drivers on the race course are the flags. Some drivers may also be in radio
contact with a crew member.
GREEN
Time between five-minute and one-minute guns of last lap.
WHITE
Time between one-minute gun and start. Also signals start of final lap.
BLUE/WHITE
Problems on the race course. Continue with caution or hold position.
RED
Competition is stopped; slow down, be alert and watch for other signals.
BLACK
Course is closed. Return to pits.
CHECKERED
SCORING THE RACE
APBA POINT SYSTEM:
Unless otherwise specified, the following method will be used to score races
consisting of two or more heats:
Each boat starting and finishing a heat will receive points as indicated below.
Total points in the two heats determine the overall winner for trophies, prize
money (if any) and APBA National points standing.
A boat will receive no credit for points in a heat if it withdraws from the
course or fails to finish within the time limit.
If two or more boats tie for points, total time elapsed decides the winner.
At the end of the racing year, November first through the following October
thirty-first, the points are then tabulated for high point awards. The boat
accruing the most points is then declared the National Champion of its class
and may use the number "1" as its designated number for the following year.
SCORING:
Points are awarded to boats finishing each heat in the following order:
- 1st Place - 100 points
- 2nd Place - 95 points
- 3rd Place - 90 points
- 4th Place - 85 points
- 5th Place - 80 points
- 6th Place - 75 points
SAFETY AND RESCUE
The rescue teams are all important to the running of the races, and without their
support these races would not happen. The people on the rescue teams put in a
lot of time and effort to keep the race as safe as possible, for both racers
and race fans.
The boats containing the rescue team have to be large enough and fast enough
to carry the rescue team along with all of their safety equipment. On board
you'll find two driver, a boat operator and a medical assistant. In the event
of an accident, these are the first boats on the scene.
It is the rescue team's job to recover the driver from the water, or assist the
driver in getting out of the boat, and giving basic life support (if required)
while returning him as quickly and safely as possible to the pit area and an
awaiting ambulance for any medical treatment. An ambulance is required to be
on the race site at all times before boats can race.
The rescue teams are also responsible for recovering any sinking or sunken boats
and returning them to shore. They also clear the course of any debris to ensure
a safe race site.
The rescue team's boats will be under power at all times while the race is in
action, circling slowly on the inside of the race course, ready to go at a
moment's notice. They will respond to all accidents or hazardous situations
where life or property could be endangered. The first rescue team on the scene
will assist the driver with the second and third teams responsible for the race boat.
In addition to the rescue team, other boats on the race course also assist in
conducting the race. Assistant Referees, also know as Turn Judges are stationed on boats in
the center of each corner, while the other boats are used to tow disabled boats,
or to keep the course clear of other water traffic. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
is instrumental in controlling traffic on navigable water.
Our thanks goes out to Barbara Schultz for compiling the above rules and race information.
Tacoma Inboard Racing Association
1007 27th Street Court N.W. • Gig Harbor, Washington 98335
253-853-3121
Web Development by
Off Road Web Design