F1H2O - Race Format

About F1H2O

An Overview of F1H2O

WHAT IS FORMULA 1 RACING?

Formula 1 Powerboat racing is the most spectacular watersport in the world. It has been described as driving the F1 race car at full speed over a ploughed field. Formula 1 Powerboats accelerate faster than even the most state-of-the-art F1 cars; they are capable of going from standstill to 160 kilometres per hour in only 4 seconds.

Impressive as this is by itself, they compete at these speeds without the use of brakes or gears. It is competitive, fascinating, challenging, daring, risky and entertaining. Formula 1 Powerboat

Race Format

It shall always be the intention of the F1 officials and race sponsors/club to conduct each race as advertised and promoted. However, in the interest of safety or race promotion, a revision in the schedule /format and/or number of entries qualified to compete in the final event may be necessary and will be announced to all teams as early as possible. There will be a maximum of 24 finalists in the F1 events.

Race Infos

LIGHT SIGNALS

Each entry must have the electronic time-keeping device and lighting equipment.

The material can be bought from IDEA at cost or rented on a race per race basis.

Compliance is required for scrutineering clearance.

Lights signals are used in accordance with these rules to designate specific times or to give instructions to pilots. Lights and their purposes are as follows:

Hall of Fame - Lap of Honor

Long time head of the U.I.M. F1 World Championship and promoter of the series Nicolo di San Germano will officially announce the plan for a “Lap of Honor” Award and a Hall of Fame that will salute individuals that have made a special impact on the sport since its inception back in the early 1960’s.

F1 specifications

F1 racing uses tunnel hull catamarans that are capable of both high speed and exceptional maneuverability. Overall, the boats weigh 860 pounds (390 kilogrammes), including 260 pounds (118 kilogrammes) of engine. They are 20 feet (6 metres) long and seven feet (2 metres) wide, keeping weight low through extensive use of carbon fiber and kevlar. The tunnel hull design creates an air cushion under the hull, so that at speed only a few inches touch the water, leading to the high speed possible with these hulls.

Osprey Rescue Team

The Osprey is a group of professional scuba divers from England who specialize in Powerboat Racing Rescue. They are highly motivated and capable of performing rescue operation effectively and efficiently.

The team came into existence some thirty-five years ago when members of Staffordshire Sub Aqua Club were asked to attend a Powerboat Meeting at Chasewater Powerboat Club. Those members were not impressed with the Rescue that the club had and set about creating what would become the «Osprey Powerboat Rescue Team».

Safety Scores

Ask people to identify the objective of racing and most will agree that it is the search for greater performance that drives designers, builders and competitors but in recent years and with safety as a priority, the definition of performance has changed. It is no longer enough to get the best from an engine for now, alongside performance on the water, the target is the parallel pursuit of higher performance from the structure of the boats themselves when something goes wrong and this is a consideration in offshore, circuit and formula racing alike. The human body is fragile, particularly when subjected to physical battering in an accident or collision and the structure of the cockpit/canopy is the only protection from impact damage so construction and attachment is critical.

Safety Crash Box

As of the 2007 season, all boats are required to have a crash box installed. Potential future safety features include collapsible bows that would deform rather than penetrate another hull.

HANS Head Neck Support

In the last few years' passive safety has increased to such an extent that it is almost total. As a rule, all pilots must wear Hans@ head neck support. The device helps to reduce the chance of serious injury from head motions and neck loads in case of an accident. It protects pilot's head from being pulled away from his upper body. Forces stretching the neck in a frontal collision are also reduced by more than 80%.

It is also mandatory to use carbon fibre and Kevlar to built the cockpit (this applies to wooden hulls as well). The cockpit must be coated with shockproof material to protect the driver's head, arms and knees. The interiors must not have sharp angles or overhangs, which could be dangerous on impact.

	Guido Cappellini	153
	Thani Al Qamzi	143
	Sami Selio	135
	Jay Price	125
	Jonas Andersson	118
	Francesco Cantando	87
	Ahmad Al Hameli	84
	Philippe Chiappe	82
	Fabio Comparato	71
	Pierre Lundin	56

UIM F1H2O World Championship
	SAU	Dammam	Mar 30	C
	POR	Portimao	May 19	C
	FRA	Evian	Jul 7	C
	CHN	Xiamen	Oct 19	C
	CHN	Xiamen	Oct 20	C
	UAE	Sharjah	Dec 21	C
date and venue could be changed

Grand Prix of China - Xiamen
01	Shaun Torrente
02	Philippe Chiappe	+ 0.91 secs
03	Jonas Andersson	+ 2.75 secs
Fastest Lap
Shaun Torrente		0:56.12
Pole Position
Shaun Torrente		0:50.87