1999 U.I.M. CLASS 1 WORLD POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 3 – NORWEGIAN GRAND PRIX – ARENDAL
16th - 18th JULY 1999.
TECHNICAL COMMISSIONERS REPORT.
Eleven boats arrived in Arendal plus the American boat, US1 "Alcone Motorsports" this boat running for position but not for points in the World Championship. For the first time, this course was run in an anti-clockwise direction, so as to run with a following sea as opposed to into a head sea.
Boat No.1 "Spirit of Norway". Once
again testing went to plan, the team trying some reworked propellers for this meeting.
Pole Position gave them their best speed this year of 151.94mph (244.66kph) but was only
good enough for fourth overall in this very fast event. The race went little different
than for the two previous races, they had taken the lead, with the highest lap speed of
113.69mph (182.98kph). On the third lap an engine had been reported to be running on the
rich side, detonated and blew itself apart filling the bilges with oil, water and debris.
Boat No.3 "No Fear". Still trying
to get to the bottom of their gearbox problems. Ran 147.14mph (236.94kph) in pole position
which is their best speed to date, and gave them seventh place overall. Completed the
first lap of the race at an average speed of 100.92mph (162.42kph) but broke another
gearbox on lap two.
Boat No.4 "Victory Team". Not a
good weekend for this boat, ran the first run in pole position at a speed of 143.42mph
(230.95kph) but chose not to do the second run because of changing wind conditions in the
fjord. On race day practice on the outside of the island they had an enormous crash. They
had run down the island in the race direction and turned to come back into the head sea.
They were running at reportedly around 100mph when they hit a big wave and took off, and
flew long and high, and did a typical "trip and stuff". The bow broke on impact,
taking off the whole front section of the boat up to the bulkhead before the safety cell.
The safety cell was totally undamaged and the crew unhurt. During the accident the floor
hatch came off, the reasons why are to be investigated, but the fact the safety cell
worked is important. When I receive more information I will produce a full accident report
as usual.
Boat No.5 "Binautica". Had a
trouble free weekend, recorded a creditable speed in pole, by far it’s quickest time
this year, 132.57mph (213.47kph). This aluminium hull was running well in the rough
conditions finishing one lap down on the leaders with an average speed of 74.40mph
(119.73kph) to finish fourth in the Championship points.
Boat No.7 "Victory Team". A change
of boat for this race. It is the old "Victory No.4" now fitted with Diesel
Seatek engines - Weismann four speed transmissions incorporating dropboxes, (as are fitted
to No.90.) - single rudder configuration - single side by side composite cockpit with
floor escape hatch. Still getting to grips with propellers, weight distribution and
general setting up of the boat, but showing real potential. Ran 151.48mph (243.94kph) in
pole position, could possibly have gone quicker in the second run but damaged the rudder
on flotsam on that run and had to back off. Finished third overall in the race averaging
89.62mph (114.24kph) whilst having to contend with a steering problem, caused by having to
race with an untried rudder, which was a little too short.
Boat No.8 "Immersion". Missing
from the last race due to engine problems, was at this venue with a different driver line
up, G.Giorgi instead of M.Esperto. Have continued with the cockpit modification by fitting
another roll bar but still need to do more. Recorded 108.27mph (174.34mph) their best ever
in pole position. Pulled out of the race on the second lap because of a transmission fault
and the ageing boat not liking the rough conditions.
Boat No.9 "Jolly Motor". This team
is now getting it together with new propellers and minor changes to the boat they had a
much better meeting here in Arendal. Set a speed in pole position of 149.46mph
(240.67kph), with the team saying there is more to come. World Championship race winners
with an average speed of 92.67mph (149.15kph) with no reported problems other than having
to hold everything together in the worsening conditions.
Boat No.22 "Isiklar". The team is
still working to get things together in their first season. Recorded 96.39mph (155.21kph)
in pole position. Had their first retirement of the season in this race, stuffed it one
time to many and the engine ingested salt water on lap two.
Boat No.27 "Hyatt". Testing and
pole went according to plan but the race was a different matter. Third overall in pole
with a best time of 155.54mph (250.47kph). Unfortunately in the race retired once again,
no laps completed with continuing gearbox faults.
Boat No.44 "Victory Team".
Maintained its winning form in pole position with an all time fastest speed of 161.26mph
(259.68kph). In the race they were running as Championship race leaders albeit behind
"Alcone" until the sixth lap when the boat caught a wave and ran along on
it’s side, and recovered, but one of the Lamborghini engines had swallowed more salt
water than was good for it and stopped. Up until then they had averaged 97.47mph
(156.86kph).
Boat No.90 "Jotun". Improving with
every meeting 143.48mph (231.05kph) for pole position by far it’s fastest recorded
speed to date, despite being D.Q’d on it’s first run for running wide of the
finish gate. Took third place Championship points for the race at an average speed of
87.23mph (100.40kph) despite loosing a turbo on the last lap.
Boat No. US1 "Alcone Motorsports".
Douglas Marine built 45’ Skater – Twin F16 style cockpits – Mercruiser
drives – No gearboxes – Sterling V8 petrol engines – No air restriction
– Running full race fuel. This boat does not comply fully with U.I.M. rules so was
running as a guest entry, positions but no points. It is a beautifully prepared boat and
had a very successful first time out racing against the U.I.M. competitors. Ran 158.48mph
(255.16kph) in pole after receiving a D.Q. on the first run, another boat to run outside
the finish gate. Took first overall place in the race with a race average speed of
98.64mph (255.16kph). It will be interesting to see what happens in Oslo if
"Spirit", "Victory 44" and the rest can race them to the finish.
This was a very rough race so average speeds were down, but the potential speeds showed up in the Pole runs. Now will people listen, we must slow these boats down. If a well built boat with an extremely safety conscious team like "Victory" can have an accident that causes such damage at 100mph what will happen if a boat crashes at 150+mph. The good thing was the canopy/safety cell stood up well to the impact, although I’m not so sure it would at 161mph.
M.B.Robert