F1 Powerboat Racing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
F1 Powerboat Racing is a competition of power yachts with rules similar to Formula 1 car racing. Each F1 powerboat race lasts approximately 45 minutes following a circuit marked out in a selected stretch of water, usually a lake, river, or sheltered bay.
Qualifying periods decide the formation of the grid, and timing equipment records the performance of competitors to decide the final classification and allocation of championship points.
Contents |
[edit] ChampBoat Race Series
| Date | Race | Location | Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 3-4 | Pickwick Challenge | Pickwick, TN | #42 Shaun Torrente | #72 Lynn Simburger | #38 Jeff Shepherd |
| June 21-22 | Dow Bay City River Roar | Bay City, MI | |||
| July 3-4 | Three Rivers Regatta | Pittsburgh, PA | |||
| Aug 2-3 | Bud Light Grand Prix | St. Louis, MO | |||
| Aug 16-17 | Grand Prix of Connecticut | Hartford, CT | |||
| Sept 20-21 | Thunderboat Regatta | San Diego, CA | |||
| Sept 27-28 | Grand Prix of Arizona | Tempe, AZ | |||
| Nov 1-2 | Grand Prix of Naples | Naples, FL |
[edit] Background
F1 powerboat racing is a grand prix style event, similar to Formula 1 automobile racing, in which teams compete in 8-10 venues around the USA each season. In the 2008 season anywhere between 13-17 drivers compete in any one race. The races take place along a track of approximately 350 meters with multiple turns, over which the boats can reach 150 miles per hour (240 km/h). The races are longer than most powerboat races at approximately 45 minutes, but still shorter than most automobile races.
[edit] Boats
F1 racing uses tunnel hull catamarans that are capable of both high speed and exceptional maneuverability. Overall, the boats weigh 860 pounds (390 kilogrammes), including 260 pounds (118 kilogrammes) of engine. They are 20 feet (6 metres) long and seven feet (2 metres) wide, keeping weight low through extensive use of carbon fiber and kevlar. The tunnel hull design creates an air cushion under the hull, so that at speed only a few inches touch the water, leading to the high speed possible with these hulls.
[edit] Engines
F1 boats are powered by a Mercury Marine[citation needed] V6 two stroke that burns 100LL Avgas at a rate of 120 liters per hour, generating 350 horsepower at 10,500 rpm. This engine can propel the boats to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than four seconds and to a maximum speed of over 240 km/h (150 mph).[citation needed]
[edit] Safety
Although F1 boats have not changed much in appearance since the start of the event, the construction and safety has been dramatically improved from the original open-cockpit plywood boats.
The first major development was the hard composite cockpit capsule designed to break away from the rest of the boat in a crash. This also inaugurated the practice of securing the drivers to their seats with a harness. First developed by designer and racer Chris Hodges, this system was optional for a time due to the opposition of the drivers but, after it saved several drivers in major crashes, the UIM mandated it for all boats. In the early 1990s F1 boat builder Dave Burgess introduced a canopy that fully enclosed the cockpit to protect the driver from the full force of water in a nose-dive. In the late 1990s boat builder DAC introduced an airbag situated behind the driver that prevents the cockpit form completely submerging if the boat flips.
These specific changes in safety features were also accompanied by a progression of lighter and stronger composite hulls that also reduced the hazards of racing. F1 drivers now also wear a HANS Head and Neck Restraint device similar to that worn by their Formula One automobile racing counterparts to combat head and neck injuries.
As of the 2007 season, all boats are required to have a crash box installed. Potential future safety features include collapsible bows that would deform rather than penetrate another hull.[citation needed]
[edit] Drivers
Before obtaining a Super License to drive an F1 boat, drivers undergo a stringent medical and also an immersion test. This involves being strapped into a mock F1 cockpit. The cell is flipped over and the driver has to make his escape while being judged by safety officials.[citation needed]
