Basic Racing - A Newbie Guide

[Silversurfer]

This looks like the most affordable way to have a go. I will be interested in people’s comments and information on basic racing.
I have tried to navigate the RYA 's website to get some additional information on what would be required and the cost. I am hoping to do a basic race near me at "Allhallows" AKA the "Shakedown" it will take place on the 24th April next year and I will be posting updates on the procedures, requirements and form filling I have to go through to achieve a entry to a race.

So far this is all I have found:

GETTING STARTED IN CIRCUIT POWERBOAT RACING - WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
http://www.rya.org.uk/PowerBoating/Default.asp?contentId=2859333

The link says that all the information you need can be found in the notorious PB1 and PB2 booklets however a search on the site reveals NO links to afore mentions documents. When I eventually found the RULES section that it refers to, you are greeted with an Application Server error - nice one! I have emailed them about this but they don’t seem to bother fixing it!

http://www.biboa.com/pb1_index.htm Try this link for PB1 - Thanks!

Anyway if you want the PB1 and PB2 documents (any questions you ask the RYA they tell you to refer to these docs) you have to phone and have them posted on snail mail to your address. If I ever get them I will scan and upload them. Does anyone know of a working link for these online @ the moment?

From what I can gather so far you need to be a member of a club before you can do a basic you can find a list of local clubs here
http://www.rya.org.uk/Map/Search.asp?clubselect=true

Cost Wise this is what it looks like so far:
- Club membership £180 - £200
- 1-Day License to race £60
- Entry Fee £50
- Fuel & Oil to race (60 Miles) £150
- 2 x Life Jackets and helmets estimated £180
- 2 x Race Suits £200 (thanks Carl)
- ukoba memembership is £50 (thanks Carl)

My 1st Race currently costs £870

I understand that you DONT need any of the following for a basic race:
- A VHF License
- A powerboat License (£235)
- Blue Prints
- Measurement / Compliance Certificate

NOT Sure if the crash helmets have to be orange or not for the Basic?

In terms of insurance the RYA covers third party but NO ONE WILL INSURE DAMAGE TO YOUR BOAT FOR HITTING SOMEONE ELSE OR STACKING IT.

If I have any incorrect information or I am missing something please let me know!

Hope this helps for the other newbies.

Wet your appetite in the meantime with some videos - no sound
http://www.rya.org.uk/powerboating/offshore.asp?contentId=1997297&xref=media

All in all it’s NOT cheap and you could lose your boat - but it does look like fun!

Anyone done a basic then given up / lost the boat? Lets hear your comments!

 

[Johnny Rocket]

The link says that all the information you need can be found in the notorious PB1 and PB2 booklets however a search on the site reveals NO links to afore mentions documents.

You can normally download PB1 from the BIBOA web site www.biboa.com -- but it seems to be down at the moment so that might not be much help!

 

[phantomc92]

helmets do have to be orange,and you do need race suits,demon tweeks do loads,everything else is correct,ukoba memembership is 50 quid for the year i think

 

[Louise]

Re: Re: Basic Racing - A Newbie Guide

it seems to be down at the moment so that might not be much help!

Fixed now!

P.S. Just noticed the new smilies - nice! We've been asking JK for just ONE new one for ages now!

 

[Jon Fuller]

helmets do have to be orange,and you do need race suits,

The rule used to say, you must have 'protective' clothing ie, overalls, that cover your arms/legs to your wrists/ankles, nothing about being a race suit, has it changed now?

We were the 'Shorts n 'T' shirt racing team'. never owned a race suit.

 

[Silversurfer]

I was wondering if a pair of workshop overalls would do the job (clean of course) when I saw the price of the race suit.

Adds to the excitement of the event though! And you might feel I bit of a dick if everyone else has race suits.

 

[Silversurfer]

Top Tip matt - saves me £150 !

1st race total now stands @ £720

 

[Silversurfer]

What would be the conversion costs to 2L ? I simple want to have a go and see if I like it if not its one thing to tick off the list of things you have to do BEFORE 40!

 

[Jon Fuller]

I was wondering if a pair of workshop overalls would do the job (clean of course)

Clean to start with, but the gusset could be soiled by the second turn

 

[Jon Fuller]

What would be the conversion costs to 2L ? I simple want to have a go and see if I like it if not its one thing to tick off the list of things you have to do BEFORE 40!

As much as everyone wants to see offshore get up to speed again, I'd do a basic or two first.

You might not like it, or you might do a couple a basics and run out and buy a B23 to take on the world, either way, a taster or two won't hurt.

 

[Jon Fuller]

I once heard of a scheme whereby, if you entered 3 or 3 basic races, then wanted to go National, the rya would knock the accumulated 'basic licence' fees OFF the price of the National licence (for that year), this would be a huge incentive to have a go, without pissing the money away if you choose to move up to full-on racing.

And I can't see how it could harm the rya, they'd have captured a licence holder after all.

 

[Silversurfer]

At the moment I just want to try it and see if I like it. To be honest I am currently struggling to find someone brave enough to sit in the passenger seat with me I guess I will be pretty frightened myself during the first race don’t want to lose the boat and or stack it cant afford another one yet!

The fear factor has become more of a problem since I hit 30!

 

[Jon Fuller]

a load of polystyrene up front under the deck will stop you losing it completely.

Unless you had a 'catastrophic' failure!

But people losing boats is extremely rare, and as I said, a bit of bouyancy will stop that anyways, you'll be fine!

 

[Burty]

Did the basic race in teighmouth last year, cost £100 to enter because you have to pay for your passenger as well (bet you forgot that 1) + fuel and oil.
i wore jeans and a jumper felt like a real racer in that. matt is correct you must only have something to cover bare flesh
my helmet was black with orange stickers on
your boat is scruteenered and must have the following

2Kg fire extingusher
Kill switch for both driver and passenger
a number on both boat and trailer
anchor
flares
Flags

after all this i did 2 laps before dislocating my passengers shoulder and had to stop find the doctor on board a rescue boat who then put it back in place and radioed for an ambulance which was waiting for us at the slip, where i had to beach to boat as no 1 was prepared to get wet! including me as i had trainers and jeans on

To be honest i was quite pleased we stopped because i'd had enough of trying to go flat out at all times.
i find i have more fun blasting around for a few minutes then stopping for a bit then going again. but thats just me.

Good luck hope i havent put you off.

 

[phantomc92]

hey silver you have got a massive truck inner tube in your bow

 

[phantomc92]

but do invest in a back brace

 

[Jon Fuller]

To be honest i was quite pleased we stopped because i'd had enough of trying to go flat out at all times.
i find i have more fun blasting around for a few minutes then stopping for a bit then going again. but thats just me.

That's a mistake a lot of people make.

It's very different having a 'dash' up the start shute with a few race boats, thinking, 'I could do this!', to running flat out for an hour or more, without being able to rest for a second.

And another thing that I think can be a shock to a new racer is, when you dash about the bay having fun, without thinking about it, you tend to run in the direction that the boat/you feels good, ie, in a head sea, or following, whatever, but when you're racing, you've gotta go whichever way the course takes you, which might be a lovely swelly diagonal sea that makes it feel very dangerous, for mebbe 10 miles! that can be a strain, and most people don't think of that till it happens.

You just need to make sure you're winning/beating a few others, so you can have the pleasure of knowing that they are probably enjoying it less than you

 

[CB1]

Just been reading your comments about the cost to start basic racing.

You dont need to be a member of a club to race basic, so thats iust saved you £200 plus. Dont know where you got your info from, but to join UKOBA as a racing member costs £50 pp.

The total loss of a boat is very rare in racing. We had a slight misshap last season and ended up upside down. Once the boat was recovered, another story, we had the engine flashed back up within 1hr. Ok we lost a few electrical items, but hey sh** happens

 

[CB1]

You have to drive the boat to your abillity and the conditions. If you got a huge cheque book, big balls or no brain yo are gonna hurt the boat. Just look at the V24's. Cuz they are harrnessed and have a canopy they drive their boats to distruction, look at the carnage at Ramsgate!!

 

[CB1]

Racing is FUN, but ask anybody who races the best parts are the start, the finish and the time in the bar with like minded people having a fu**ing good drink!!!