1.2. The notes provide additional information to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Club Racing Rules and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Circuit Racing Rules (RYA publication PB2, issued annually with driving licences) for the current year. The RYA is the national authority for powerboat racing and records. The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) is the international governing body. The Club Racing Rules are posted in the Club House and printed in the annual Programme and Guide issued to Members. It is a driver's responsibility to be familiar with the RYA rules applicable to Club racing, the club racing rules and the club courses.

1.3. Drivers must be licensed by the RYA. Annual racing licences expire on 31 December. There are also One Day Insurances, a driver is permitted a maximum of two a year. All passengers must hold either a driving licence or a Passenger Permit. Passenger Permits can be issued for a single event or for a full season, there is no limit to the number of single event Permits issued to a Passenger in any year. For details, see RYA rules.

2.1. So that Timing know you are racing and can enter you into the computer for the day's racing, lodge your licence with Timing, Sign In and obtain any One Day Insurances and Passenger Permits as soon as possible. Have your boat checked by the Scrutineer, launch it and test it, all this should be completed by ¾ hour before the first race. If you are going to be late, please telephone the Club and make sure Timing know you are on the way. It is essential Timing complete preparations for the afternoon's racing in good time before Briefing and to be able to do this they must know all the boat and driver combinations for the day's racing.

2.2, A levy is made each race day collected when Signing-In, to defray part of the expenses of volunteer specialist rescue crew and the tractor launching facility.

2.3. Drivers Briefing, normally ½ hour before the first race, is given by the Officer of the Day (OOD), all drivers and crew must attend. The programme for the day's racing will normally follow that printed in the Racing Calendar.

2.4. Note, there is insufficient time for a boat to be checked by the Scrutineer, prepared for racing and launched in the time between Briefing and the first race.

2.5. The instructions of the OOD are mandatory as are, in their respective departments, the Rescue Officer and the Pit Marshall.

3.1. The system is designed so that all drivers finish together. The slowest driver starts first, the fastest last and others in between, correctly spaced out in relation to their lap times.

3.2. Race average lap times are calculated and printed on each race result sheet for comparison with handicap times.

3.3. For details of handicapping see the Handicap Rules.

3.4. Individual start times are posted before every race. It is essential drivers obtain their start times for every race, there are too many variables to assume that the start time for a race will be the same for an immediately preceding similar race.

3.5. New lap times can be achieved by being timed in plenty of time before racing. Remember that once the new times have been set, the computer listing will have to be brought up to date. If time and circumstances have not permitted this, Timing are required to ascribe a new start time which must be one which the driver cannot match. This ascribed lap time will normally be discarded after the first completed race in favour of the new race average lap time.

4.1. The suitability and condition of a boat, engine, fittings, clothing, safety equipment, of everything taken out onto the water are the driver's responsibility as is the necessity to satisfy the scrutineer. Do not forget to put the bung into the boat before launching !! Ensure the trailer is clearly marked on the starboard side of the hitch with the driver's name and racing number (national rule J40). All spare fuel must be placed in the fuel dump, close to the lake edge and between the southern slipway and the southern club boundary.

4.2. Do not leave boat preparation and leaving the piers until the last moment.

4.3. Over the loudspeakers, Timing normally give drivers warning of impending starts. Usually in the form of, say, " Seven minutes to the five minute bell". This is usually combined with a request to Rescue and Patrol ".... to go on station". Five minutes before Race Start time (zero seconds) a bell is sounded and a reminder of the course and number of laps to be raced is normally given.

4.4. Aim to leave the piers before the five minute countdown and certainly within a minute of the bell. Occasionally, the later starting boats to delay leaving the pits until very close to Race Start time, a practice which inevitably causes interference with the first starting boats.

4.5. A green flag is normally flown during the five minutes countdown.

4.6. Drivers may mill to the south of and outside the course, well away from the racing line not interfering with others about to start.

4.7. To achieve a good start, the time it takes from some landmark to the Start/Finish line needs to be carefully worked out in advance. Drivers should cross the Start line a fraction after their individual start time and at full speed. The Start/Finish line is at a right angle from Timing, but not from the piers, when finishing, the best end of the line is by the Finish buoy.

4.8. A penalty of one lap is placed on a driver crossing the Start Line before the driver's individual start time. This penalty is not signalled and will, unless the driver knows an early start has been made, only become known to the driver when the results are announced.

4.9. Drivers must not interfere with the racing line of drivers already racing.

5.1. The clock displays minutes and seconds.

5.2. When the five minute warning is given, 5 minutes is displayed.

5.3. Within a few seconds of Race Start Time (zero seconds), the slowest driver will start, other drivers following at their allotted individual start times, these will vary from a few seconds to several minutes and seconds.

5.4. All individual start times are taken from the clock and only from the clock.

6.1. Rescue and Patrol craft have right-of-way over race boats at all times.

6.2. There is a public right of navigation over the surface of the lake, boats are quite within their rights to intrude onto our course and occasionally do. Always be vigilant specially for water skiers and always pass well clear of any boat which may have strayed onto the course. Our patrol boats are conspicuously successful in keeping the course clear, but always be ready for the unexpected.

6.3. If there is a boat obstructing (possibly a stopped race boat) or approaching the course, the patrol boats will hold up a yellow flag - a flag of warning. If there is danger close to a patrol boat a yellow flag will be held up and waved - immediate danger.

6.4. Heavy washes are a danger during racing. When possible patrol boats will warn drivers - yellow flag pointing down over the side of the boat and waved.

6.5. A red flag from Timing or from a rescue or patrol boat stops the race, drivers must immediately reduce speed and carry on round the course and back to the pits.

6.6. If, as occasionally happens, a driver or passenger are tipped out into the water during a race, the 'wet driver' rules applies - the race is stopped. The first race driver to arrive at the incident must stop and ask the rescue boat if assistance is required and provide the help asked for, ALL other drivers must steer well clear of the incident, must not stop and get in the way and must return to the pits.

6.7. The recall signal for an individual driver is a black flag with the driver's race number displayed on a board held next to the flag. The recalled driver must reduce speed as soon as safely possible and return to the pits. The black flag is normally used as a safety measure, either because the driver is unsafe or because of a problem with the boat which has not been appreciated by the driver.

6.8. For emergency use, keep the outer arm of the dock and both slipways clear of boats during racing.

7.1. The most dangerous part of club racing is overtaking and the most dangerous part of overtaking is at a mark. A separate section is therefore devoted to this subject to ensure that all drivers and passengers understand that their safety and the safety of other competitors is of prime importance.

7.2. The overtaking boat may pass either side of but must not interfere with the line of the overtaken boat. This applies on the straight and at a mark.

7.3. While the driver of an overtaking boat can see the line of the overtaken boat on the straight, the driver of the overtaking boat cannot know the line an overtaken boat will take at a mark. The RYA rule says that at a mark a boat may overtake on the inside provided the overtaken boat leaves room. Experience suggests that while a driver may leave room at some marks, if it is the last lap leading to a close finish the driver who previously left room will change and leave no room on the inside for overtaking boats.

7.4. The solution is for all drivers to always take marks as close as possible, never leaving room for another to sneak through on the inside. If all drivers always did this, every other driver would then always accede to the OOD's normal advice which is when in doubt always overtake on the outside. But, drivers do not always take a tight line at marks so occasionally it is possible to overtake on the inside at a mark, but be warned, this can be a seriously risky manoeuvre.

7.5. The two other dangers which make marks the most dangerous part of the course is for boats to either hook or break out. When a boat has left room on the inside at a mark and an overtaking boat comes through and either the overtaken hooks or the overtaking breaks out, a collision is inevitable. A collision is equally inevitable if the overtaking boat is close on the outside and hooks or the overtaken boat breaks out.

7.6. Always be aware where other boats are in relation to you and be very vigilant at marks.

8.1. A flashing light on top of Timing is normally turned on when the leading boat commences its last lap.

8.2. A chequered flag is flown from Timing as the first driver crosses the line. A driver's race is finished when the chequered flag is passed, even if the required number of laps have not been completed.

8.3. After passing the chequered flag at the end of both long and short course races all drivers must reduce speed, go round the Storrs buoy (from the piers, the far right and most northerly buoy) and wait in the middle of the course until a red flag is flown from Timing. The red flag will not be flown until the last driver has finished.

8.4. After the red flag is flown, drivers may return to the pits - at reduced speed.

9.1. The first driver to finish wins the race unless penalised, perhaps by loosing a lap for starting early.

9.2. There are qualifications for the major club trophies, see Club Racing Rules.

9.3. New drivers are restricted to half points and no trophies for three race days - to allow them time to familiarise themselves with racing and to reduce their lap times without severe penalty, but still gaining some points.

9.4. Visiting drivers do not qualify for permanent club trophies but may be awarded day prizes.

10. PROTESTS AND APPEALS.

10.1. Protests are considered a valuable means of assessment of racing practice and of benefit for the development of the sport.

10.2. Before submission of a protest it is advised that the Protestor should consider the circumstances of the case and whether the matter could be satisfactorily concluded outside the protest procedure.

10.3. Why might someone protest? Normally, to correct what he sees as a mistake or because the driver has suffered from an infringement of the rules by the organisers or another driver. Either way a rule must be broken for a protest to be valid. If no rules broken, there will be no grounds for a protest and equally no grounds on which those judging the protest can make a decision. A protest against the validity of an entry or the arrangements made for the day must be made before racing.

10.4. Those sitting in judgement must be in possession of the rules and must be able, where necessary, to interpret them. Equally, the driver needs to know the rules so that the broken rule can be stated.

11.1. Collect your licence from Timing.

11.2. Thoroughly check your boat, engine and all equipment for condition, tighten or replace any loose nuts, bolts, fittings etc. so that when you come to the following race day any necessary work is complete and you are not flapping around at the last minute. All you will then have to do is ensure you have sufficient fuel.

11.3. When leaving your race boat at the club - park it carefully and using the minimum of space in the boat park, whether or not you have a designated boat parking space. You are advised to remove racing propellers. Keys for all trailer locks, wheel clamps, etc must be left with the Club Manager.

12.1. If there is a Timing error, specially if the error is to your disadvantage, please remember that a peaceful approach to Timing should result in a peaceful hearing !!! A noisy entry into the Timing Box will not impress Timing that your problem merits immediate sympathetic attention.

12.2. Please always bear in mind that all the helpers on shore, the rescue and the timing officials are there to enable racing to continue at WMBRC and that the immediate responsibility for all aspects of racing, on shore and on the lake belongs to the Officer of the Day.

12.3. When improvements are identified, your Racing Committee will be pleased to receive them - preferably written to aid comprehension.

12.4. This paper is about racing - all drivers are expected to race to their and their boat's maximum potential at all times.

13.1. The club bar is open after racing and jackets and ties are not required until 1930 hours. Remember, swim wear and wet suits are not permitted in the club at any time.

CPR/RMS 27.9.95., 31.1.96., 26.2.96., 5.3.96., 7.3.96., 8.3.96., 11.3.96, 22.3.96., 25.3.96., 31.12.02. 2653

PJH 2.1.03 6.2.03

NOTES FOR NEW DRIVERS