IMPBA D12 FE Racing in 2011 (MD, DE, DC, VA, NC)

[Diegoboy]

OK. My H&M M1-supercat S will ne a 2S boat. (N-tunnel)
I need a motor & ESC now!!

[don ferrette]

If they only run one boat at a time for time trials, does that mean I could try my hand at N-hydro or P-hydro Oval 1/4 or 1/3 mile?

Ben, of course you are welcome to come out and give it a go and I'll be willing to help if I can (I will be runing for numerous oval records). The only thing to keep in mind is that if the weather is less than desirable (usually winds) and we are waiting for good "record water" if/when that does happen the water is yielded to those running very close or at record speeds. In other words if you aren't "right there" as far as speeds go we give the run time to those who are. This has been a long standing "unwritten rule" at all our record events both oval and SAW. Look forward to seeing you guys there if you can make it, record trials are always an eye opening experience.

[Meniscus]

Sounds good. For the most part, I don't mind windy conditions, especially for the riggers in oval trim. I have a cat I could run, but I don't think I'll put the effort into it since it will likely be too slow.

Danny, you can borrow my ESC at the pond and I'm sure that Lehner would run just fine for that setup, as long as she's a little loose. I'll also have those lipos available.

Considering we're allowed to run any classes, I believe I'd be in for N-hydro, P-hydro in both 1/4 and 1/3 mile oval.

Anything in particular I should know about the water? Is it the same buoyancy as the Indian River location? Or have you guys been dumping water softener again? How much to replace a buoy again?

I'm sure you guys already have rescue boats figured out, but I do have a 16' canoe, 3 kayaks, and a trolling motor if we get in a bind.

[Meniscus]

Here's a clarity question for those that understand the IMPBA rules. I was thinking that my Viper could run as N-hydro and I don't see any issues with that. What I was wondering is, will it meet spec for N Sport Hydro? My specific concern is the wing in the front under the following rule:

"Picklefork hulls shall not have open areas ahead of the forward riding surfaces totaling more than 25% of the total hull length. No other hull vent(s) are allowed."

What is a hull vent?


From H&M Website:



Any help is greatly appreciated. Please note that my Viper features BUD decals, does not have a rear wing, and does indeed meet the spirit of sport hydro.

[don ferrette]

Vents would be openings in the deck area like the Bud T-4, Circus tri-wing, T-Plus, etc.

[Meniscus]

Thanks for the clarity!

[Meniscus]

Question 1:

OK, still not sure if the Viper is legal for N Sport Hydro. Total length from bow to transom is approx 24.25". When I measure the open area, excluding wing in the front, meaning from the first open area from the transom to the bow, it measures approx. 8". This translates to about 33% of the hull length. So, is that how I measure it, or is it to be measured from the wing forward to comply with the following rule?

"Picklefork hulls shall not have open areas ahead of the forward riding surfaces totaling more than 25% of the total hull length. No other hull vent(s) are allowed."

I know this is complicated and if I was trying to adapt some hull that wouldn't meet the scale spirit of this class, then I'd understand. However, this model is scale in appearance minus necessary running hardware.

Question 2:

If I read the rules right, it does not matter what length a rigger is for any standard class, as long as it under 60". Is that correct? Also, are winged riggers still considered riggers such as my X-Crab?



Question 3:

How long does it take for an account to be approved for online login to IMPBA?

I really appreciate the help guys!

[egneg]

Ben I am not sure about the first question but as for the second one I ran my H&M XS2 at the end of last season when I didn't have the UL-1 any more and no one said I couldn't. I think maybe because the riggers and hydros were combined into a common 20 class.

[Chilli]

Ben, I'm trying to find out who the IMPBA Hydro Technical Chairman is so we can get you in contact with him or her and get your hydro questions answered.

I'm pretty sure your X-Crabs is considered a rigger. I cant find any technical standards for a rigger other than size in the rule book. But like Chuck said, even if the Crab is not considered a rigger, it would still fall under the hydro class with no minimum size and a max of 27" for N power and 34" for P-power. There is not even a separate "rigger class" for record trials, SAW's and heat racing. It's just "hydro" which could include rigger, cat, tunnel, mono with steps or even a non-legal sport hydro.

I renewed my membership online in the fall and got my card in about three weeks. The IMPBA Secretary John Equi handles membership. If you havent recieved your card by the end of the month, drop a email to John at secretary@impba and I understand he'll give you your IMPBA number over the phone. The few times I contacted him he was very quick to respond.

BTW- Welcome aboard!!!!

[Chilli]

Ben, Our IMPBA President Keven Sheren was nice enough to call me this evening to let me know your sport hydro is legal. He also informed me that he is the one who handles the membership and he tries to process them on a weekly basis. So it shouldnt be too long before you receive your card.

[Ksheren]

Ben, Our IMPBA President Keven Sheren was nice enough to call me this evening to let me know your sport hydro is legal. He also informed me that he is the one who handles the membership and he tries to process them on a weekly basis. So it shouldnt be too long before you receive your card.

Mike I was WRONG!!! The pickle fork is greater than the 25%.

Sorry for the inconvience.

Kevin Sheren

[Chilli]

Got your phone message Kevin. Considering how many hats your wearing in the IMPBA, it's all good. Thanks for your quick response.

Sorry Ben

[Meniscus]

I got excited...and then not So I guess that I have to figure out how to fill the gap So much for scale Bud, even if it is well short of the length limit. Rules are rules. Thanks for the clarity guys.

At very least, I'm setup for N hydro and P hydro time trials at competitive speeds. Then I can run P spec hydro for races. It's just a shame I can't run P sport hydro. Perhaps the answer is to modify the Viper to remove the gap behind the wing.

[don ferrette]

I got excited...and then not So I guess that I have to figure out how to fill the gap So much for scale Bud, even if it is well short of the length limit. Rules are rules. Thanks for the clarity guys.

At very least, I'm setup for N hydro and P hydro time trials at competitive speeds. Then I can run P spec hydro for races. It's just a shame I can't run P sport hydro. Perhaps the answer is to modify the Viper to remove the gap behind the wing.

Ben, all you need to do is add a pair of 2" extensions to the deck leading edges (where it says Bud) to get to your 6" total picklefork depth. I would make them the same shape and blend to the existing deck lines. Fortunately you are working with a simple solid color that with a liitle airbrush work your mod won't be noticable. I wanted to post something last night but I'm on call this week and didn't get the chance until this morning. Better to find out now than being at an event and finding out you're not legal.

[Meniscus]

Very true. I try to do my homework. There's no point in wasting anyone's time or to find out after the fact. Most likely, I will not be ready with the Viper for the April time trials.

I have been tuning this model for quite some time and any changes will need to enhance running characteristics vice being a hindrance. That being said, if I do decide to make it legal, I will likely add a little downforce/ground effect to keep her planted over 60mph in oval trim. To start, I'm probably going to add a few mock pieces and see what it does to the handling, but this will take time especially since I do not have a strong background in aerodynamics as I don't do planes. I guess it will be trial and error. I just hope its more trial than error.