f1 powerboat design

An overview of F1 Powerboat

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 racing is the ultimate extreme sport.

DEFYING THE LAWS OF GRAVITY

Formula 1 Powerboat racing has to be seen to believe. Spectators who are new to this most spectacular watersport are invariably left spellbound when they witness these lightweight catamarans defying the laws of gravity and virtually lifted in the air during high-speed manoeuvre with only a portion of the boat in contact with the water.

It is amazing that these boats can manage to maintain their balance in more than 225kph, taking hairpin turns at 150 kph without brakes and shifting gears, what's more with limited visibility, One tiny error of judgement would spell high-speed disaster.

Driving a powerboat is like piloting a fighter jet. F1 pilots need to have that split-second decision making capability and nerves of steel because once strapped into his fully enclosed safety capsule, he has only his skills, courage and a certain amount of luck to achieve success on the race circuit.

The rivalry between powerboat pilots often thrill the crowds with near-collision overtaking and daring acts as they blazed their boats across the water in high-octane velocity, considerable dexterity and finely tuned driving skills.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Inaugurated in 1981, this international competition is similar to F1 for cars and similar rules apply. Across the world, teams of different nationalities compete in the Grand Prix, which is regulated by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM).

THE CHAMPIONSHIP RACES

Races are organised at selected locations around the world based on the water conditions, infrastructures, public access, local hotels amenities and telecommunication facilities. Starting 2009 season, during each F1 World Championship venue there are two Grand Prix races – one race on each day of the venue. Each race lasts for 30 minutes of racing time + 2 laps with up to 24 boats hurtle around the race circuit at thundering speed of 225kph (130mph). All races are broadcast worldwide on TV, on local channels and international networks.

THE CIRCUITS

Every race circuit is different in size, but are generally about 2000 meters in distance. Each circuit has at least one long straightaway and several tight turns, mostly left with one or two right turns. The turns produce a G-force of up to 4.5 on the driver, which means his weight is multiplied 4.5 times as he makes a tight U-turn at over 100 mph (F1 car drivers endure only 2.5).

WATER CONDITIONS

Water conditions play a major part in the outcome of each Grand Prix. With water current and wind conditions varying on every lap and spray being continually showered over the tiny console screen, pilots are quite often driving 'blind' at full speed, mere inches away from their rivals. In the event of a 'barrel-roll' (capsize), a mandatory air bag installed above the pilot's head will inflate upon contact with water. This enables the cockpit to remain above water until rescue arrives. All pilots have a self-contained air supply fitted inside the capsule as an added safety features.

EVENT STARTING POSITIONS

Pole position and starting line-ups are determined by a qualifying session preceding each Grand Prix race. State-of-the-art timing equipment records the performances of each boat to decide the final classification and starting positions.

Each team consists of a manager, one or two pilots, mechanics, radio coordinator, technical coordinator and equipped with infrastructure such as trailer workshop and welcome marquee. They should have one or two catamarans fitted with 2.5 litre engine and compete between 8 to 10 Grand Prix events that make up a full season.

Imagine this: up to 24 lightweight, 16-foot carbon fiber catamaran hurtle around a racing circuit at speeds topping 225kph (130mph); all boats are powered by highly tuned V6 outboard engines, each pumping out 425 horsepower at 10,000 rpm; they boast an awesome power to weight ratio, weighing in at around 500 kilos with a 425hp fully-tuned engine strapped on the transom; they have no brakes or gearboxes. Yes, These are F1 Powerboats.

THE CHAMPIONS

In the last four years there have been four different drivers who have become World Champion. The latest is the American Jay Price who drives for the Qatar Team.

There are a number of new pilots who are making the race more competitive than ever. At each event, about twenty to twenty four pilots represent at least 12 nations, not to mention the countless sponsors, managers, radiomen and women, team members, safety crews and boats, medical staff, doctors, and spectators. The atmosphere is buoyant as tension mounts amongst the competitors, all of whom have worked so hard to be worthy of competing in the F1 Powerboat World Championships.

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U.I.M. F1H2O Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi
Thursday December 8
10:15 - 11:15
15:30 - 16:30	Qualifications
	-     -
Friday December 9
10:15 - 11:15
15:30 - 16:30

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UIM F1H2O World Championship
	SAU		Mar 30	C
	POR		May 19	C
	FRA		Jul 7	C
	CHN		Oct 19	C
	CHN		Oct 20	C
	UAE		Dec 21	C
	QAT	Doha	Mar 11	C
date and venue could be changed

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Nominees Profile

F1H2O Nations Cup Singapore 2011
Friday Nov 18
11:00 - 13:00
Saturday Nov 19
11:00 - 12:00
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15:30 - 17:30
Sunday Nov 20
11:00 - 12:00
16:00 - 17:00

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

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Formula One Powerboat Racing

The Formula One Powerboats for the last five decades, have been recognized as one of the world’s most spectacular racing experiences. With lightning speeds over 120 miles per hour and nimble handling, the Formula One boats and their world-class drivers thrill audiences with it’s up close and personal deck-to-deck, sponson-banging competition. This brand of racing typically produces the largest motorsports event of the year in the markets it visits. Through live attendance and media coverage, Formula One Powerboat Racing reaches hundreds of thousands of consumers each season.

The Formula One Powerboat Race is the centerpiece of the weekend’s festival that often are the biggest entertainment event of the year in their communities. These events increase tourism, boost awareness of the regional attractions and businesses along with generating millions of dollars in economic activity. Annual powerboat races often are woven into the fabric of a community and become an anticipated yearly focus of corporate hospitality activities.

Formula One Powerboat Racing enjoys a stellar 50+ year history of thrilling audiences with it’s up-close and personal nature of racing events facilitating consumer awareness and brand bonding. Imagine your unique branding on a 120 mph billboard streaking across the waterfront with hundreds of thousands of loyal consumers in plain site of the entire course. Motorsports have become recognized as one of the most cost effective marketing tools available today. Each race is more than a series of one day events, these races have evolved into the anchor for a weekend long multi-interest community festivals, providing individual events that appeal to all ages and lifestyles. The Formula One Boats are front and center throughout the race events. It’s hull has several large marketable surface areas, that are great for promotional branding.

Formula One Powerboats are 17′ long, 7’2″ wide, and weigh 1155 lbs. including the driver. The power to weight ratio is among the highest in all of Motorsports. As for the Performance, these powerboats accelerate from 0-100 mph in 3.5 seconds. Top speeds over 120 mph and has the capabilities of going around a 180 degree corner at over 100 mph, pulling 7.0 G’s in the process making them the hardest turning race vehicle in the world. Combination of half boat and half plane, Formula One Powerboat Drivers actually fly the boats across the straightaways.

Formula One Powerboat competition starts with a 15-20 boat field lined up on the starting pontoon with the engines off. A Lemans start springs to life as the engines roar and the rooster tails spray thousands of gallons of water as the boats head to the first turn. A 1.25 mile course made of a combination of right and left hand turns with a variety of straight aways provides for deck to deck competition within inches of each other. No two laps are ever the same with Formula One Powerboat racing due to the ever changing water and wind conditions making the Formula One Boats one of the most challenging racing vehicles in the world to drive. There are several races each day with 10 lap heat races, and 30-50 laps finals.

Boca Ciega Bay offers a variety of boaters’ destinations, special habitats, and  spectacular natural resources. The bay is located on the north side of the mouth of Tampa Bay and is bordered by the cities of St. Petersburg, Tierra Verde, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Gulfport, Seminole, and Madeira Beach. Waterways emptying into Boca Ciega Bay include Lake Seminole (through Long Bayou), Cross Bayou, Bear Creek, Clam Bayou, and Frenchman’s Creek.

Boat Racing Facts - History of F1 Powerboats

• Categories : Naval architecture & ship design for marine engineers
• Tags : Marine engineering

Introduction

The first Formula one powerboat championship in 1981 introduced the powerboats in the racing senario.Formula one was brought to the water to gain the same level of thrill what people got from the F1 car racing. No one predicted it would be such a hit and the powerboats will stand the test of time. But it did and the powerboats that were used way back in 1980’s have exactly the same design as they have now. The tunnel boat design is the main feature of these powerboats that have not changed yet. What has changed is the technology inside the boat and the material used.

The rules of the F1 car racing chapionship are similar to the F1 power boat championship. There are 12 teams and 24 powerboats competing eachother.

Over The Years

The design is one aspect that has remained almost the same. So what has changed?

Initially powerboats were made of timber wood or plywood. But hardly could they stand the forces generated due to high velocity. Due to the phenomenal speed that the catamarans reached, many fatalities and accidents took place in a particular championship season. At that time the cockpit was not an enclosed cell and there were no safety harness or airbags for the drivers safety. The driver’s life was at utmost risk.

Chris Hodges, a British powerboat designer came to the conclusion that the level of safety should be increased to preserve the lives of the drivers and also to preserve the sport. It was then that he came up with the idea of an enclosed cockpit. He made a capsule from a strong composite material. This cockpit was not attached to the main structure, instead it was connected to the hull and the central part of the boat. The purpose behind this design was that, in case of an accident the timber hull will absorb the impact and break, which will protect the driver from the impact. This was how the idea of enclosed cockpit evolved.

Later on, the safety harness which are now known as seat belts, were introduced. In 1990’s the concept of airbags was launched. The idea behind the introduction of airbags was that incase of a crash, the airbag will inflate which will not only protect the driver from the impact forces but also prevent the capsule from sinking till the time the rescue team arrived.

The Cockpit

In the past, the powerboat cockpit used to consist of just a start button, a steering wheel and a throttle. But things have changed now. Drivers safety and operational ease is the utmost priority and to ensure this the cockpit is endowed with all kinds of facilities. A cockpit consists of a detachable steering wheel, a full throttle, a start button, a fuel pump switch, a red and yellow light which are controlled by the team’s crew onshore to caution the driver for any obstacle on the course, a revolutions counter, air bag and oxygen supply.

Increased Safety

The tunnel hull boats still runs on the same principal that when the speed increases the bow raises up in the air, creating a cushion below it. The boat then runs on this cushion with least contact with water and negligible friction.

As far as safety is concerned there is a lot of room left for improvement. No doubt there has been an increase in the safety norms, the number of deaths caused by accidents is still high. Thus it is imperative that utmost care is given to safety. For this reason, cockpits are made of flexible and shock absorbing constuction and installed with airbags. Additional head and safety devices are also provided. Moreover a crash box is a must on each and every powerboat.

Power Boat Racing by T. J. Andersen

Image Credits

https://www.brickerf1.com/images/cockpit1.jpg

https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42170000/jpg/ _42170028_watersport_416.jpg

https://www.littlecracker.com/Image033.jpg