Hydroplane racing

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European Motorboat Championship in Żnin (Poland)
European Motorboat Championship in Żnin (Poland)

Hydroplane racing (also known as hydro racing) is a sport involving racing hydroplanes on lakes and rivers. It is a popular spectator sport in several countries (at least the U. S., Canada, Australia and Central Europe), and one of the more commercialized sports.

Contents

[edit] Racing circuits

[edit] Limited racing

Limited hydroplane racing uses several size classes to ensure fair competition, similar to boxing weight classes. Within the European Union the U.I.M has goverend a wide range of classes from OSY-400 which is a stock racing class, to F-125, F-250, F-350 and F-500. These classes are affordable classes to race in which can achieve speeds of 100MPH.

[edit] Unlimited racing

Although bit of a misnomer as the boats aren't without limits, unlimited hydroplane has much fewer restrictions than with limited hydroplane racing. The main difference being the size of the engines, as these engines were normally 750cc as opposed to the 500cc engines used in the F-500 class.

[edit] Stock Outboard Racing

Stock Outboard Racing utilizes both hydroplane and runabout or monoplane hulls with racing engines that utilize a service outboard powerhead and a racing lower unit with a direct drive (ie: start in gear). Racing in this form ranges from classes designated as follows: A Class, B Class, C Class and D Class. There is also a Junior or "J" Class for kids between the ages of 9 and 16 years of age. The engine sizes range from 9.9 horsepower to 50 horsepower with speeds from 30 miles per hour to 90 miles per hour. In the C Stock Class, the Yamato Motor Company engines used in kyōtei, parimutual betting in Japan, are reconditioned, shipped to the United States and used for racing in these classes. The American Power Boat Association (Detroit, Michigan) sanctions approximately fifty stock outboard events per year in the United States.

Class B Stock Hydroplane
Class B Stock Hydroplane

[edit] Hydroplane racing safety

In the early days of hydroplane racing, accidents, and even the deaths of drivers, were considered somewhat routine. As top speeds increased, more attention was paid to driver safety, much like with auto racing. Today the U.I.M has introduced safety measures, like Carbon Kevlar Cockpits, Safety belts, and side protection making the boats safer for the driver.

[edit] Notable figures

[edit] Drivers

  • Bill Muncey
  • Bill Brow
  • Dean Chenoweth
  • Chip Hanauer
  • Paul Noone
  • Mike Endres
  • Andrew Chesman
  • Tiziano Trombetta
  • Attila Havas
  • Giuseppe Rossi
  • Danille Roda
  • Luigi Colombi
  • Michaelangelo Politi
  • Henryk Synoracki
  • Manfred Loth
  • Dieter Konig
  • Lenny Ryden
  • Jim Kropfelt
  • Jerry Hopp
  • Dave Villwock
  • Gerry Waldman

[edit] Hydroplane boats

[edit] Owners

[edit] Sponsors

[edit] Engine Manufacturers

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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