D12 Open & FE/Nitro Combined Class Rules

 

1. All heats will be six laps unless specified in district race flyers.

  

2. All heat starts will be in accordance with IMPBA Rulebook, Section G, Heat Racing Rules.

 
3. During a heat, a FE boat cannot stop for any reason. Doing so will result in being called a "Dead Boat" by the CD. A barrel roll, end over end flip or  spin should not be called a dead boat as long as the boat continues in a forward motion. Racers shall respect the CD's judgment. When called a dead boat, the boat is to proceed directly to the infield and come to a stop behind the start buoy until the end of the heat.

4. At the end of a heat as a boat finishes, one of two methods may be used: 
            A. A racer may choose to do a cool down lap and will continue all the way around  the course before coming to shore.
            B. A racer may choose  to park in the middle of the race course. After the racer finishes the heat,  the racer shall give way to all other boats and when safe to do so, pull into  the course infield. The racer shall come to a stop and hold his position until all boats on their cool down lap have returned to shore. Only then may the  racer may bring their boat in.

5.  A qualified FE racer shall be designated to retrieve all dead boats after a heat if there is a dead FE boat on the pond. Anyone retrieving a FE  boat shall exercise extreme caution to  remain clear of the propeller at all times.
 

6. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, any FE boats having a noticeable speed advantage over the faster nitro boats will be
asked to detune their boats to ensure competitive racing. If they do not comply, they shall be disqualified from the class for the race weekend. All  Open Classes are exempt from this rule.

7.  LiPo battery packs shall be charged on a flameproof surface or inside a flame proof container such as a Lipo sack, metal table, Pyrex Dish or Clay Pot. Under no circumstance should a Lipo pack be charged while in a boat.  A dry fire extinguisher or extinguishing agent such as a bucket of sand shall be kept in all FE racers pit area or where batteries are being charged.

  

8. FE's participating in the Open OB Tunnel class shall be restricted to a battery voltage no higher than the Q  class limits (6S) as defined in the IMPBA  rule book, Section J.  All other Open classes shall be restricted to no higher than T class voltage limits (10S).

  

9. FE P-Limited Rules:
            A. Motor Specifications
The intent of the P-Limited Motor Specifications is to define motors to be used in Limited class racing.  Motors in these specifications shall be based on readily available parts from past, current, and/or future Ready-to-Run offerings by various manufacturers. Only motors on the approved motor list shall be allowed.  Motors are intended to be used as they are supplied. Therefore, no alterations or modifications are allowed, unless specifically stated in these rules. Motor shall be directly connected to the output drive shaft, no gear/belt over/under drives will be allowed.
            B. Approved Motors:
The motors approved for P-Limited racing are:
 ProBoat - PBR3310 A3630-1500 4 pole brushless motor (BJ26, Formula FastTech, Miss Elam FE)
 AquaCraft - AQUG7000 L36/56 7.2-18V 6 pole brushless motor (SV27),
AQUG7001 36-56-2030 6 pole brushless motor (UL-1 Superior)
            C. Cooling:

Motors and ESCs may be cooled as desired. Water jackets, cooling plates, electronic fans, etc., may be added as desired, so long as they don't perform an otherwise illegal function.
            D. Contacts and Wiring:

Originally supplied contacts may be replaced. Wire length on the power and phase leads may be altered to facilitate installation. If lengthening the original wires, additional wire may be added to the factory supplied wires. If shortening the original wires, the final contact to the Motor or ESC must be made using the original wiring. The intent of this rule is to prevent the removal and replacement of the original wiring in its entirety, by requiring that the final contact to the Motor or ESC be made by the original wiring.
            E. Capacitors:
Extra Capacitors may be used to protect the speed controller from ripple current.
            F. Battery: Voltage limits and battery specifications will be in accordance with the P class located in the IMPBA rule book, Section J.

            G. Hull:

Length restrictions shall be in accordance with the P Classes in the IMPBA rule book.  

Electric 10th Scale Unlimited Hydroplane

 

Motor and Boat Specifications:

1. All models must be of a real unlimited hydroplane as listed in the APBA Master Hull Roster list.  The model owner must show the real boat attempted to qualify, qualified or raced in an actual sanctioned racing event, in the configuration being modeled, via photographic and/or written documentation. Failure to adequately meet the validation requirements can result in the model not being allowed to compete in an IMPBA D12 event until proper documentation is obtained.

2. All boats to be built to a scale of 1" to 10" (1/10 scale) plus or minus 10% of the beam and 5% of the length.

3. Boats will look as scale as possible and meet the following requirements for racing and optional scale judging:

          a. Cockpit with period correct driver figure

          b. Completion of all major lettering and paint schemes

          c. All FE power components (batteries, motor, ESC etc.) shall be concealed with fake engine or cowling as per prototype boats.

4. Hull bottom and running hardware will not be judged or checked. However, hull must not deviate from conventional 3-point hydro (unless prototype was a different design).

          a. Hull bottom must be scale appearing.

          b. Belly pans are acceptable to clear FE components. Maximum pan depth is ½”.

          c. Secondary front sponson running surfaces are optional.

          d. Air traps are optional.

5. Motor will be maximum case (minus cooling jacket) diameter of 37mm and maximum 60mm in overall case length.

6. Power will be 11.1 to 16.92 volts with a maximum 8000mah total

7. Boat shall use same number of propellers as the prototype.

8. The drive dog must not extend beyond the transom unless the prototype's strut and/or drive dog did so (photo documentation may be requested for proof by race CD or district scale director), maximum distance for transom to prop hub front face is 2”.

9. No twin rudder assemblies allowed.

10. Boats should have the ability to change frequency.

 

Rules for Optional Scale Judging (Concourse):

1. Boat must accumulate 50 points in racing to qualify for scale judging.

2. Judging points to be separate from racing points.

3. All boats are to be judged no closer than 5 feet.

4. A picture must be submitted for the scale judging.

5. Points as follows:

          a. 1 to 10 overall scale appearance

          b. 1 to 10 for detail, engine, cowl, driver, etc.

          c. 1 to 10 for paint job, markings, etc.

          d. 1 to 10 for construction

 

Racing Rules:

1. Normal IMPBA driving rules will be followed.

2. Only the registered owner can race his 1/10^th FE unlimited.

3. Heat races will be 6 laps in length and will follow standard IMPBA starting procedures. The last boat running rule may be used.

4. Cutting or hitting a buoy in mill time or during the race shall incur a 50 point penalty.

5. Normal heat racing rules apply with each heat will be limited to no more than 6 boats raced together at any one time.

6. If any removable parts (cowling(s), wing(s), dummy engine, driver, etc.) fall off during a heat, except as the result of a collision, that boat will receive no more than sixth place points for that heat. This penalization does not affect the finishing placement of the boat, only the points awarded. The points awarded and placements of the other boats in the heat are not affected by this ruling.