(Lighthearted) Competitions At WPMBC
At Wicksteed Park MBC we are just venturing into 'club 500' racing, details about the races can be found below. The rules are currently under revision to suit the needs of our members, who are just looking for a fun, friendly class of racing. We also run 'steering competitions', giving our members our chance to test their models, their skills, and in some cases, their luck. Details for the steering events can also be found on this page.
Steering competitions at Wicksteed Park MBC.
Club members only.
At Wicksteed Park MBC, the emphasis is always on making things fun for all taking part and those who come along just to watch. As such we try and keep things simple. We have 4 classes of models for our steering competitions and they are as follows:
Class 1 - Large Boat with single propeller
Class 2 - Large Boat with multiple propellers
Class 3 - Small Boat with single propeller
Class 4 - Small Boat with multiple propellers
A small boat will be any model measuring up to and including 2.5ft over all length.
A large boat will be any model measuring over 2.5ft, and up to and including 5ft over all length.
The course will be marked out with coloured buoys and the layout will be available prior to the actual event.
The rules for the course will be:
1 - The course must be completed
2 - The course will be a timed event only
3 - For every buoy that the model contacts with invokes a 1 second time penalty which will be added to your time, i.e if you achieve a time of 1 minute but hit three buoys then your over all time will be 1 minute 3 seconds.
4 - If you go off the course for any reason you must reenter the course where you left it, there will be a 5 second time penalty added to your time if you do not re-enter or fail to complete any section of the course.
5 - Have fun
If there is enough Club 500s on the day, there will be a Club 500 race around the course.
Class 1 - Large Boat with single propeller
Class 2 - Large Boat with multiple propellers
Class 3 - Small Boat with single propeller
Class 4 - Small Boat with multiple propellers
A small boat will be any model measuring up to and including 2.5ft over all length.
A large boat will be any model measuring over 2.5ft, and up to and including 5ft over all length.
The course will be marked out with coloured buoys and the layout will be available prior to the actual event.
The rules for the course will be:
1 - The course must be completed
2 - The course will be a timed event only
3 - For every buoy that the model contacts with invokes a 1 second time penalty which will be added to your time, i.e if you achieve a time of 1 minute but hit three buoys then your over all time will be 1 minute 3 seconds.
4 - If you go off the course for any reason you must reenter the course where you left it, there will be a 5 second time penalty added to your time if you do not re-enter or fail to complete any section of the course.
5 - Have fun
If there is enough Club 500s on the day, there will be a Club 500 race around the course.
Wicksteed Park Model Boat Club, CLUB 500 racing rules.
Objective:
* To establish a one class fun racing boat at club level
* To ensure that all boats comply with a standard specification, with the sole purpose of close fun racing
* To ensure that all boats comply with a standard specification, with the sole purpose of close fun racing
Construction Rules:
1. All standard kit parts must be used, except the aerofoil and dummy motor, which are optional.
2. The boat is to be constructed as per instructions provided with the boat. Rudder servo fitment is your choice.
3. No modifications or additions to the outside of the hull.
4. The motor, prop shaft, prop shaft bearings, rudder and propeller can only be replaced with originals from kit manufacturer.
5. The propeller may be cleaned of rough edges but not reduced in diameter.
6. A 6 cell (7.2 volt) NiMH battery pack to be used, constructed in a straight line or side by side in two sticks of three.
7. A servo/micro switch combination or ESC for throttle control.
8. A self adhesive foam strip of at least 3mm thick must be attached to the bow of the boat.
9. A velcro strip or plastic nut and bolt must be attached to the flat section of the cabin roof for fixing of race number plate.
2. The boat is to be constructed as per instructions provided with the boat. Rudder servo fitment is your choice.
3. No modifications or additions to the outside of the hull.
4. The motor, prop shaft, prop shaft bearings, rudder and propeller can only be replaced with originals from kit manufacturer.
5. The propeller may be cleaned of rough edges but not reduced in diameter.
6. A 6 cell (7.2 volt) NiMH battery pack to be used, constructed in a straight line or side by side in two sticks of three.
7. A servo/micro switch combination or ESC for throttle control.
8. A self adhesive foam strip of at least 3mm thick must be attached to the bow of the boat.
9. A velcro strip or plastic nut and bolt must be attached to the flat section of the cabin roof for fixing of race number plate.
Construction Recommendations:
1. It is strongly recommended that the access hatch in the deck moulding, is cut out in such a way that it is made into a removable cover. This can be taped down during racing to render the entire hull watertight.
2. The addition of silicon and plain washers or 'O' ring to the rudderpost will make the tube assembly watertight.
3. The addition of thrust washers or 'O' ring to the propeller shaft is permitted.
4. The attachment of an oiling tube to the propeller shaft is permitted.
5. The part of the motor mount in contact with the motor should be covered with foam or rubber strips to prevent motor slip.
6. Buoyancy aids such as foam or air bags may be used inside the boat and cabin and in fact are advised.
2. The addition of silicon and plain washers or 'O' ring to the rudderpost will make the tube assembly watertight.
3. The addition of thrust washers or 'O' ring to the propeller shaft is permitted.
4. The attachment of an oiling tube to the propeller shaft is permitted.
5. The part of the motor mount in contact with the motor should be covered with foam or rubber strips to prevent motor slip.
6. Buoyancy aids such as foam or air bags may be used inside the boat and cabin and in fact are advised.
Racing Rules:
1. Race duration will be 4 minutes plus seconds for qualification races and 5 minutes plus seconds for final races. There will be 30 seconds to complete your last lap.
2. A maximum of 6 boats per race
3. The course will be an 'M' shape, negotiated in an anti-clockwise direction.
4. A person must use the same boat throughout qualifying and finals races.
5. Races will be started with a 10 second warning after all drivers are asked if they are ready. The race will start on a whistle or the word 'GO'. Starting positions will be from the lake side and the first buoy negotiated will be buoy 2 and continue in an anti-clockwise direction. The race is over on a second whistle or the words 'Race over, finish your lap'
6. When a race is called finished, you will continue and finish the lap you are on and the seconds will be recorded for the time taken to finish that lap.
7. A 5 second penalty will be imposed for each of the first 2 buoys missed, then a 1 lap penalty for each offence thereafter.
8. The circling of buoys is strictly banned, to avoid driving into oncoming competitors
9. Drivers of dead boats are to immediatley inform other competitors and the race controller by shouting 'Dead Boat' and the position of the boat on the course. i.e. bottom left.
10. Any driver hitting a dead boat after it has been called, means immediate disqualification from that race and must bring there boat safely off the water.
11. If a boat is in danger of sinking, the race controller must be informed and the race stopped for retrieval. Once the boat has been retrieved the race will resume.
12. Scoring to be established.
13. Competitors can expect to have their boat scrutinized at any time during a race meeting. The race controllers decision is final.
2. A maximum of 6 boats per race
3. The course will be an 'M' shape, negotiated in an anti-clockwise direction.
4. A person must use the same boat throughout qualifying and finals races.
5. Races will be started with a 10 second warning after all drivers are asked if they are ready. The race will start on a whistle or the word 'GO'. Starting positions will be from the lake side and the first buoy negotiated will be buoy 2 and continue in an anti-clockwise direction. The race is over on a second whistle or the words 'Race over, finish your lap'
6. When a race is called finished, you will continue and finish the lap you are on and the seconds will be recorded for the time taken to finish that lap.
7. A 5 second penalty will be imposed for each of the first 2 buoys missed, then a 1 lap penalty for each offence thereafter.
8. The circling of buoys is strictly banned, to avoid driving into oncoming competitors
9. Drivers of dead boats are to immediatley inform other competitors and the race controller by shouting 'Dead Boat' and the position of the boat on the course. i.e. bottom left.
10. Any driver hitting a dead boat after it has been called, means immediate disqualification from that race and must bring there boat safely off the water.
11. If a boat is in danger of sinking, the race controller must be informed and the race stopped for retrieval. Once the boat has been retrieved the race will resume.
12. Scoring to be established.
13. Competitors can expect to have their boat scrutinized at any time during a race meeting. The race controllers decision is final.
