The good old RYA

[Paul E]

As soon as someone finds out if we'll be allowed to race in Guernsey in 2 weeks can they let me know? Save me the hassle of replacing my saddle and fixing all the broken stuff before next season... What exactly does 'OCR Style' boats include? P25 with twins? Ring 21 with 200HO? 26ft Puma cat with twins? All these are open 2 seater boats. What about Big V and Big Dutch in their B23 and Slipstream?

Why can't there be proper and public clarification instead of whispering amongst those 'in the know'

[blimp]

Top Gun racing is two boats running parallel courses at the same time ...but not on the same course at any one time. I think SuperStock starting using it a bit earlier this year for some reason or other. Looks good for the public ...but it ain't racing

...edit ...just found the P1 Version of it ...they call it match racing: http://www.p1superstock.com/news/match-racing-it-s-on-

[DAVE]

Yep recalled pretty quick...that was a short lived announcement....

[PerformanceDodge]

Originally Posted by Jon Fuller

The bit I don't get is, if the coroner said jump every time someone was killed horse racing, show jumping, downhill ski racing, motorcycle racing, car racing, drag racing, hang gliding, motocross racing, cycle racing, or any number of other motor or action sports, would we see those sports shut down?... No, because most people see motor, or action sports as having a danger element that cannot be completely avoided, it's the nature of the beast.
I don't understand why power boating seems to be the only one where an accident has to be someones fault, or avoidable.

The world is a rapidly changing place and we are becoming a nanny state where every one and everything is accountable in law. I don’t think it is just power boat racing, it is just that power boat racing is the latest sport to come under the spot light and it’s close to home.

My understanding of the word accident until recently was that if I did something that I did not intend to do i.e. I accidentally fell off my push bike. But it now actually means that I fell my bike because I was going to fast round the corner so it was my fault and I am to blame..

However if I am in an organized event and I fall of my bike because I was going to fast around a corner and injure myself, although I see it as an accident it could be deemed in law now that it was the organizers fault because there was inadequate run off area, where as in the past it would have been my fault because I had to take responsibility for my actions. It appears now that if you are a injured in a sport that is organize or overseen by a governing body, they are now responsible for your safety as they have a duty of care. In almost every accident now there is blame and accountability.

As the guy who was recently killed at York has been mentioned above, you may wish to read the legal info link from York Raceway, it’s a bit of an eye opener but I suspect that similar law applies to boat racing.

www.yorkraceway.org.uk/legal.html

Without knowing what is in the Coroners report it is difficult to speculate what is going to happen, but as the RYA is a governing body and they have clearly been criticized by the MAIB and the Coroner, they could now be open to civil or criminal proceedings. If this is the case they may not want the responsibility anymore of these types of circuit racing or not be able to get liability insurance, it’s a worrying thought.

[Big V]

if the RYA wont insure people to powerboat race, all that will happen is that clubs will use a different insurance provider - someone who is prepared to insure powerboats.

people have spent 10's of thousands of pounds on race boats.

[Carl]

couldnt everyone tie up with the waterski association

[Tony Davis]

Originally Posted by Carl

couldnt everyone tie up with the waterski association

I tink that's an unlikely scenario, but I for one would be interested in how they do their thing.

[littlenige]

At the risk of attracting another 'knee-jerk' reaction comment, isn't it about time that the sport of offshore powerboat racing started to break away from the affiliation with the Royal Yachting Assocation? Even without the incident being discussed here, there are those who are becoming more and more disillusioned with the RYA. I agree with the comment futher up the page that remarks on the fact that yacht racing itself seems to get off lightly even when people are killed. I admit there is a lot I am not aware of, no doubt. But on the face of it, would another governing body not be a better way forward? Just my 0.02 cents worth...............

[lloyde]

Why is power boating anything to do with the RYA we don't sail ????

[OCRDA]

Originally Posted by Tony Davis

Erm, that was a short press release, have they thought of a solution to the problem already?

Like dropping the ridiculous idea of 1 mile laps perhaps!!!!

Good point but really 1 mile is short enough we would not want it much shorter !!

[OCRDA]

http://www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/new...yperacing.aspx

[FrenchPhil]

"The RYA can confirm that a full safety review will be conducted for all classes in Offshore, Circuit and Jetsport disciplines and that recommendations arising from this review will be incorporated into the racing rules for 2012."

Wonder how long that will take ...

[Gerbil112]

"A decision that has not be taken lightly...

Head to head racing in OCR style boats has been temporarily suspended for the remainder of the 2011 season. This will affect the two remaining events at Guernsey and Stewartby. Time trials and “Top Gun” match racing can continue.

John Puddifoot RYA Powerboat Racing Manager: “Clearly this is an extremely serious decision and one that we have not taken lightly. We have consulted with the Chairman of the Powerboat Racing Committee and the Chair of the Offshore and Circuit Racing Committees, as well as the clubs which were organising the two remaining races of the season. The safety of the competitors and the long term sustainability of the sport lay at the heart of this decision. The reason for this decision arises out of concerns regarding side impact protection for drivers and navigators.”

The RYA can confirm that a full safety review will be conducted for all classes in Offshore, Circuit and Jetsport disciplines and that recommendations arising from this review will be incorporated into the racing rules for 2012.

The RYA recognise the disappointment this temporary suspension will have within the sport but hope that all race organisers will appreciate the situation and work closely with the RYA





Nicola Drummond

Powerboat Racing Senior Administrator"

[Paul E]

So where does this leave people like me that are re-rigging their boats completely over the winter? Am I gonna be left with a boat I can't race?

Not impressed in the slightest.

[Big Dutch]

Where does it leave anyone who has invested money in their Boat-I just put on a new motor !
P.S and ordered a new steering wheel.

[Adam]

it seems it just time for everyone to calm down - this is a temporary case and whilst no doubt there will be some changes - there is no suggestion that racing will be stopped beyond the events mentioned!

Yes, the RYA needs to look at things and make some key decsions - the sooner the better - and I'm sure they will.

[OCRDA]

Don't panic "ITS TEMPORARY" !!

[Tony Davis]

Originally Posted by OCRDA

Good point but really 1 mile is short enough we would not want it much shorter !!

I suspect some of you would!

[Paul E]

Originally Posted by Big Dutch

Where does it leave anyone who has invested money in their Boat-I just put on a new motor !
P.S and ordered a new steering wheel.

I thought it was just a new cowling

[leds]

Originally Posted by OCRDA

Don't panic "ITS TEMPORARY" !!

even though it is "temporary" not much good to us when we have our last race of the season next week !