Good info for novice racers

[Tom Foley]

http://www.rcboatmag.com/racing-rules-and-etiquette/

 

[RichardHart]

Being that next racing season will be my first one ever, this is a great article to print out and read through a couple times.

Thanks,

Richard

 

[mr_fons]

not a bad read for all boaters.....

 

[T.S.Davis]

Is anyone really allowing you to loop back and pick up a buoy that you've essentially cut? I thought that was illegal too. To do so you are traveling the opposite direction on the course.

 

[Hydro Junkie]

Is anyone really allowing you to loop back and pick up a buoy that you've essentially cut? I thought that was illegal too. To do so you are traveling the opposite direction on the course.

Depending on the type of boat and the race rules, you can loop back through the infield to pick up a missed buoy. It doesn't come without risks, however. At the Madison Regatta back in 2011, one of the unlimited boats missed a buoy and, while trying to pick it up, ran over one of the rescue boats, injuring all of the rescue crew members and damaging the unlimited.

 

[T.S.Davis]

Uhhh rescue crews for RC?

 

[Grimracer]

Terry, yep you can pick up the buoy.. you have to be careful not to drive back into the racing lanes with boats approaching but past that, yep.. you can pick em up..

Grim

 

[El Zorro]

The IMPBA Rule Book does not say you can cut a buoy and circle around and "pick it up" ( not be charged with a cut ). It says anytime that you cut a buoy it is a 50 point penalty. Look at the Rule Book again. Also, it is an infraction for running backwards on the course. An infraction normally incurs a one lap penalty. It is amazing to me how many clubs run their local races without enforcing many of their organizations rules. I know we all are out here to have fun, but when we go to a big race where the rules DO get enforced, that's when the arguments start and tempers flare. All because a lot of us racing don't know what the rules are in the Rule Book. Take the time to read what is in the Rule Book of your boating organization. You just might be surprised what you find in there!

Dick Tyndall

 

[rctinman]

+1

The IMPBA Rule Book does not say you can cut a buoy and circle around and "pick it up" ( not be charged with a cut ). It says anytime that you cut a buoy it is a 50 point penalty. Look at the Rule Book again. Also, it is an infraction for running backwards on the course. An infraction normally incurs a one lap penalty. It is amazing to me how many clubs run their local races without enforcing many of their organizations rules. I know we all are out here to have fun, but when we go to a big race where the rules DO get enforced, that's when the arguments start and tempers flare. All because a lot of us racing don't know what the rules are in the Rule Book. Take the time to read what is in the Rule Book of your boating organization. You just might be surprised what you find in there!

Dick Tyndall

 

[Grimracer]

Other notes regarding this.

Inside the course is not on the course. That is why you can not pass "inside the course". Hence no penalty for going the "Wrong Direction?. Truth is there is no "Direction inside the course"

Picking up the buoy is not cutting the buoy. You cut in inside 4.. and come back around and go back around.. you have not "cut" the buoy.

Grim

 

[Samuel Hagan JR]

I agree with both if that makes any sense.

 

[John Knight]

+2. Dick is exactly correct and was the way that IMPBA required it to be called when the CMB hosted the last IMPBA Internats in 2012 and the Gas Nats in 2013. Circling around requires you to run backwards, either straight and at angle, or both but it is backwards - you incur a lap penalty, period. It should be called immediately.

There is one exception and that is if a boat forces you, bumps you, etc., and you cut a buoy going into the turn then you should not be called for a cut. But the other boat should likely incur a penalty instead.

Just one additional thing to think of. You are in 2nd place and cut a buoy and circle around to get it back. 4 boats pass you and you then end up in 6th place. What is the points difference between 2nd and 6th? It is 300 and 96 to be exact and ends up 204 points, much more than the 50 point buoy deduction. Suck up the buoy cut and finish the race.

To eliminate any future problems, the IMPBA BOD should revise the rule book to ensure this is addressed in very specific terms.

 

[JimZaremski]

Here is the entire text in the rule book on buoy infractions:

C. Buoy Infractions

1. Touching, striking or cutting inside of any buoy at any time a boat is under power shall incur a penalty of 50 points per buoy hit or cut, to be deducted from the point score.

2. Cut Course. Driving through the center of the course, or cutting inside without touching a complete set of buoys, i.e. 1-2-3, or 4-5-6, cutting three buoys on a five buoys turns, or cutting / striking a single offshore buoy will constitute a cut course, and will incur a penalty of one lap, including milling prior to start of heat. (Point penalties do not apply when all three buoys are cut on one end at the same time.)

3. Penalty points will never exceed the finish place points accrued during a heat.

4. Buoy infractions shall be called by the Referee and his decision shall be final.

There's no "unless driver circles back and picks up the cut buoy" in clause #1.

 

[Grimracer]

why would there be.. he did not cut the buoy..

John.. the IMPBA REQUIRED it to be..

Not sure I got that.

Grim

 

[RonShaw]

http://www.rcboatmag.com/racing-rules-and-etiquette/

Tom, Thanks for posting that article. That will help a lot of new and old boaters alike. Mr Tyndall is right. It pays to read up on the rules especially when you are new or have been away for a while. In my and Mike's first race back in Atlanta after being away for 15+ years, I sent my pit man down off the stand to grab my boat at launch so he could tweak my needle and get me back in the water before 30 sec, a very common practice back when we ran before. The CD recognized what I was doing and waived me off having my pit man return to the drivers stand, without penalty. Yes it pays to read articles like these and brush up on the rules.

 

[SayMikey]

If you pass a bouy on the inside you have cut that bouy.

 

[Tom Foley]

If you pass a bouy on the inside you have cut that bouy.

Yep .