Viper inshore racing - Page 2

roofer · 03-09-2005, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Godfather

Its an opportunity you may or may not want to be apart of, to date our greatest response is from the motor racing world and not the powerboat world.

I wonder why.

Thunderbird Racing · 03-09-2005, 09:23 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by The Godfather
[B]On the contary Thunderbird, racing against the clock is well supported, downhill skiing, bob sleigh racing, WRC car rallying, sprint, hill climb, and even show jumping are supported by 10's of thousands of people and in my experience close racing in the powerboat world is very rare and definately not covered by TV. So with respect to driver enjoyment can I suggest you try racing against the clock or a time set by a fellow competitor and with respect to public enjoyment you need to see a Viper perform.

I guess your insurance cost is included which will be fine until the first incident.

i have race against the clock both on and off the water and i can honestly say that it doesn't give me the thrill as much as racing side by side to get the advantage around a turn bouy with one or more boats.
we race time trials against the clock in Kids class when two boat run against each other. even that doesn't quite have the appeal that a number of boat racing does and in my opinion doesn't offer the spectators the appeal. but if it succesful then great !. at the moment jet boating hasn't quite taken off her and thats against the clock with a pile of spectator excitement especially when they loss it.

I would be interested to see how your event at Tattershall goes !!

Johnny Rocket · 03-09-2005, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Godfather
With respect to cost, Viper Racing UK offer each individual the chance of a British Title without having to buy a race boat, you can infact be apart of a televised race event by leasing one of 6 race prepared Vipers for the 2006 series.

Must have missed that bit on the web site!

Tell us more . . .

The Godfather · 04-09-2005, 10:25 AM

The televised Viper Race Series is scheduled for May 2006, there will be 6
Race Day venues with 3 Championship Races on each day.

There are 4 options on how to get involved

Option 1 ... Privateer, this involves ownership by outright purchase of
the race boat for £16,000 in the colour of your choice, committing to all rounds of the
Championship.

Option 2 ... Leasing, this option allows you to lease the race viper for a
full seasons racing at a cost of £8,000, there will be 6 lease boats
available, committing to all 6 rounds of the Championship.

Option 3 ... Lease Purchase, this option allows you to purchase the race
boat spread over 3 race seasons, where you would pay £8k in year 1, £6k in
year 2, 4k in year 3.

All the above options are on a full repairing commitment, with technical
support from Viper Jet Boats Ltd. All engines must remain standard,
however modification to the impeller will be permitted and the fitting of
nozzle rings. All boats must run on pump fuel, these measures are put in
place to eliminate the advantage for those carrying a big cheque book!!!
All race boats will carry 3 areas of advertising on the side of the hull
beneath the wings to display Viper Racing UK's event sponsors. The top
surface of the boat would be yours to sell your own advertising or display
sponsors branding.

Due to the Rally Concept, costs are normally shared between the Driver and
Navigator e.g. the lease option brings the cost out at only £4,000 each for
the full race season and considering local companies have sponsored charity
fun runs for well in excess of this amount it is not beyond the realms of
possibility that you could raise enough sponsorship to cover your race boat
for the season.

Option 4 ... You can also get involved in the race series by means of your
support and attending the race days where Viper Racing UK merchandise would
be available. The Viper Racing UK website is still under construction
where there will be a forum please show your support by writing on the
forum.

Tony Davis · 04-09-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Johnny Rocket
Interestingly enough, the RYA seemed to be quite keen on Kiwi-style jet boating a year or two ago and that's not a million miles away from your concept. Seems to have gone a bit quiet since then though.

I don't think the RYA gave a toss about the series/concept! It was the race manager, John Puddifoot who was trying to promote it, but then he was being flown round the world to compete in one!

The Godfather · 04-09-2005, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tony Davis
I don't think the RYA gave a toss about the series/concept! It was the race manager, John Puddifoot who was trying to promote it, but then he was being flown round the world to compete in one!

We were asked to support the event by putting the Viper through its paces which would of been an ideal opportunity for us, however it was cancelled and we were not informed by the RYA. We found out through the grapevine, we contacted the RYA to be told it was due to the lack of funding

(so much so they couldn't even afford a phone call)

BluFin · 04-09-2005, 04:10 PM

Just a question, as it's inshore, why are the vipers kitted out with GPS seems a little OTT for what is basically short corse racing against the clock

The Godfather · 04-09-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BluFin
Just a question, as it's inshore, why are the vipers kitted out with GPS seems a little OTT for what is basically short corse racing against the clock

Good question!!

The expanse of water that the Viper races on, refer to as the arena has 6 inflatable turn buoys, the position of the turn buoys is recorded on GPS and given to the navigators, this info is entred into the Vipers own GPS, positioned in the left console of the rear cockpit.

The course is then given to the navigator, which is effectively the order to take the turn buoys, as each boat runs individually against the clock, a complex course can be designed by taking the turn buoys in varied order, this info is also programmed into the GPS. Each of the 3 races on race day will be a different course.

We fit the Garmin GPS system which has a simpulator function, giving distance and direction to the next turn buoy, this enables the navigator to write his pace notes which he will convey to the driver via helmet intercom, during their attempt to set the fasted time.

bert · 04-09-2005, 07:42 PM

how fast do they go

The Godfather · 04-09-2005, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bert
how fast do they go

With 2.5 ltrs fitted to a 14' boat you can expect high speed, however the Viper Race Concept needs fast acceleration and high manouverability and therefore we trade off the top end speed to gain the acceleration needed.

To answer your question the Viper reaches a little over 60mph, however the acceleration is quite astounding.

Matt · 04-09-2005, 09:41 PM

1 question. How far divorced from the rya are you? Because, as it stands, if I (with my RYA race license) take part in a non rya sanctioned race, I will lose my license, and therefore the ability to take part in any UIM race, or any other RYA sanctioned race series in the UK.

The Godfather · 04-09-2005, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Matt
1 question. How far divorced from the rya are you? Because, as it stands, if I (with my RYA race license) take part in a non rya sanctioned race, I will lose my license, and therefore the ability to take part in any UIM race, or any other RYA sanctioned race series in the UK.

Matt - it looks like the RYA have got you by the short and curlys - I'll look into it and let you know my findings.

Matt · 04-09-2005, 09:58 PM

But I could race zapcats - they are sanctioned. How have they got around it?

Johnny Rocket · 04-09-2005, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Matt
1 question. How far divorced from the rya are you? Because, as it stands, if I (with my RYA race license) take part in a non rya sanctioned race, I will lose my license, and therefore the ability to take part in any UIM race, or any other RYA sanctioned race series in the UK.

Ooh, that's nasty. I wonder if it's legally enforceable?

Matt · 04-09-2005, 10:15 PM

http://www.uimpowerboating.com/vsite...-0-file,00.pdf
UIM rule 120.06

BluFin · 04-09-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Matt
1 question. How far divorced from the rya are you? Because, as it stands, if I (with my RYA race license) take part in a non rya sanctioned race, I will lose my license, and therefore the ability to take part in any UIM race, or any other RYA sanctioned race series in the UK.

Er not the way I read F4 as long as its a national......

RYA - UIM out of sync..............

see http://www.biboa.com/PB1/F.pdf

Matt · 04-09-2005, 10:39 PM

OK, just checked PB1 and I agree for uk races (Just been swotting the UIM rules hence prominence in my mind)

Looks like thumbs up to the rya then - their rule is more flexible than the UIM one!

Matt · 04-09-2005, 10:40 PM

I wonder what PB1 06 will say.

BluFin · 05-09-2005, 08:13 AM

Well Time will tell the story..... A change like that I would expect 3 years notice.
Still will the grestest respect to Viper, It is really suited to lightweights, heavier buggers like me would be at a large disadvartage.
Bit like when you take the kids go- Karting !!!!!!!!!!!

Cookee · 05-09-2005, 08:15 AM

Just had a thought - we never had PB1 05!

Also - I can see the point of the GPS - just, but what is the DSC VHF with command mike for? Surely if you break down you can just shout to someone, that is if they have missed the fact that there is a really noisy water jet boat no longer making a sound?