Blue Water 300 – Saturday, October 22, 2011

“Blow-out” date, Sunday Oct. 23, 2011

REGISTRATION- Pits may be assigned by postmark date of entry.

The earlier the registration is received the better the pit assignment. Money must accompany registration. Starting positions within divisions may also be assigned by post mark date.  All boats must be registered and properly inspected by Friday prior to the race on Saturday.

Entry fee Blue Water Resort & Casino 300 ENDURO is $400.

All entries and checks must be made payable and must be sent to:

RPM Racing Enterprises

1803 Morgan Lane

Redondo Beach, Ca. 90278

Note:  The entry blank must be filled out completely and the check must specify driver’s racing division and boat number.

Checks will only be refunded in the event of cancellation. Once received, all money becomes non-refundable and property of RPM Racing Ent. Entry Blanks may be found on APBA  website.

 APBA MEMBERSHIP- All contestants must be APBA members. A one day membership can be obtained for about $50.00 and will provide SECONDARY INSURANCE ONLY!

PERSONAL INSURANCE- It is recommended that all competitors have their own primary medical insurance in addition to the insurance provided by APBA.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT- All HELMETS and LIFEJACKETS must meet APBA standards (eg. Ski-type life jackets will not be acceptable).  Each pit shall have one 40BC FIRE EXTINGUISHER fully charged and readily available.  All boats shall have a 20 foot TOW LINE attached to the bow. All boats shall have a PADDLE secured safely inside the cockpit. Auxiliary FUEL tanks, added to the boat, must be properly secured and will be subject to inspection.  All boats must be equipped with a THROTTLE return device (bungees on the hand throttle will be an acceptable return device).  All boats must be equipped with a KILL SWITCH, automatically actuated   should the driver unintentionally leave the seat of the boat.

COMPETING BOATS shall be of a “production type” as judged by the race committee.  There shall be no “full race” type boats such as SST, Formula, Mod U, Champboat, Inboard Hydroplane etc. or classes requiring capsules included  in any of the Divisions. All boats shall have identification NUMBERS, not to exceed 3 digits, attached firmly and in a manner that can be seen from either side of the boat., The numbers must be at least 12 inches in height, in contrasting colors and legible.  In case of duplicated numbers, the earliest posted entry fee shall have the right to “the number” and the later entry shall be required to change   numbers.

DRIVERS must be 18 years of age or older.  A competing boat may have as many drivers as desired. Drivers may drive more than one boat, however the driver must commit to that boat prior to final registration (before the start of the race) or drivers meeting and must let the judges stand/chief scorer know when changing boats during the event.

DIVISIONS OF COMPETITION

LENGTH OF BOAT- shall be measured from bow to transom (including set back). Maximum length shall be 24.99 feet.

WEIGHT- boat shall be weighed “dry” without driver and fuel. If fuel is in boat it will be “weighed” at 6.7 lbs per gallon.

DIVISION I: (A) Small block V-drives (B) Comp jets (C) Cracker Boxes

 ****START TIME: Approximately 10:00 AM (+6 Lap handicap)

     A. SMALL BLOCK V-DRIVES:

           1.     ENGINE: Any four (4), Six (6) or eight (8) cylinder engine of less

                               than 410 c.i.  (naturally aspirated). A 650 CFM or less,

                           unmodified OEM style carburetor only. Engines may only

                           use cast iron heads as produced by the manufacturer for

                           vehicle or marine use. Any engine in a non production

                              configuration shall be evaluated by the rules committee and

                              may be assigned to a more suitable division in an effort to

                              maintain parity.    

          2.     HULL: Minimum length 15’, flat bottom, V-Bottom

          3.     WEIGHT: Unrestricted

          4.     DRIVE: Straight shaft or V-drive

      C.   JET DRIVE BOATS: 

1.     ENGINE:  Max 515 C.I., Naturally Aspirated. No “Z” Drives

                              permitted. (Must comply with ABPA Comp Jet Rules)

          2.     HULL: Minimum length 16 ft., any type bottom

          3.     WEIGHT: Unrestricted

          4.     DRIVE: Must be equipped with a rudder that extends a minimum of

                          four 4 inches below the bottom of the jet nozzle and has a

                          minimum surface area of sixteen 16 square inches.

                          Adjustable style nozzles may be used but must be limited to

                          5 degrees above the planning surface of the boat and

                          shall remain in the full down position at all times when

                           operating in or near pit row. Upon departure from pit row,

                             the nozzle shall remain in the full down position until safely

                          on the race course. (safety item: violation subject to

                          disqualification.)

     D.   CRACKERBOXES: In accordance with APBA rules

DIVISION II: (A) Inboard V-Drive (gas or diesel) (B) Jets (C) Small block IO

                      with a V-bottom style hull only.

****START TIME:  00hrs- Approximately 10:00 A.M.  

    A. INBOARD V-DRIVE:                                                       

 1.   ENGINE:

     a. GAS: 525 CI maximum, and naturally aspirated in accordance

        to the current GNRA rules.

    b. BLOWN GAS: 473 C.I. in accordance to current GNRA rules

    c. DIESEL: Unrestricted & diesel fuel only.

        2. HULL: Minimum length 17 ft., V-Bottom, or Flat Bottom

        3. WEIGHT: Unrestricted

        4. DRIVE: V-Drive only

   B. JET DRIVE BOATS:

       1.  ENGINE:  Unrestricted C.I., Naturally Aspirated.

      2.  HULL: Minimum length 16 ft., any type bottom

      3.  WEIGHT:  Unrestricted

       4.  DRIVE: “Z” drives are permitted. Jets must be equipped with a rudder

                          that extends a minimum of   4” inches below the bottom of the

                          jet nozzle and has a minimum surface area of 16” square

                          inches. Adjustable nozzles may be used but must be limited to

                          5 degrees above the planning surface of the boat and shall

                          remain in the full down position at all times when operating in

                          or near pit row Upon departure from pit row, the nozzle shall

                          remain in the full down position until safely on the race course.

                          (SAFETY ITEM: violation subject to disqualification.)

     C. SMALL BLOCK IO’S:

         1. ENGINE: Any 410 C.I.  “small block” production made engine

                                (naturally aspirated). No nitrous oxide.

         2. HULL:  Any Tri or V-bottom hull with a minimum length of 16’

         3. DRIVE: Any shifter type drive with a working forward and reverse     

                             and no height limitation.

DIVISION III: 2 Liter Outboards.

 ****START TIME: 0 PLUS 15 MINUTES - Approximately 10:15 A.M.

    A.   ENGINE: 

        1. Maximum displacement  of 130 cu. (engines may not be modified to

            reduce their displacement in order to comply with this rule.)

         2. All engines must be naturally aspirated and of a standard

             production design.  Maximum Carburetor size of 1.327

             inches measured at the venture .  Ports may be modified but

             shall remain in their original location. Additional ports may

             not be added to any cylinder. Finger porting is prohibited.“Behind the

 liner” and Bridgeport exhaust engines may be run in Div. III with 1 inch venturi carburetors. V-4 and in line 6 cylinder engines (hereafter

           referred to as ALTERNATE engines) shall be exempt from all of the

           above rules except for the 130 cu. in. max rule.

       3. Mercury/Mariner V-6 engines shall have a cylinder head

           volume of no less than 26 cc’s measured with a surface gap

           spark plug installed.  Blocks and pistons may not be modified in any

            manner so as to increase the compression ratio.  Alternate engines may

           use any cylinder head/piston configuration.

        4. All critical or performance related  parts/components
            installed on V6 engines (except pistons, rings, bearings, reeds,

            replacement electronics and sealing components) shall be OEM parts.

            Parts may be exchanged from other years HP models as long as they

            are OEM.  Alternate engines may use components from any source.

        5. No EFI engines.

        6. Unless specifically forbidden in above rules, engines may be modified

            in any way.

   B. HULL: Minimum length 17’ 9” with a V, Flat or Modified V bottom and                  

                  open cockpits. No true tunnels or capsules allowed.

  C. WEIGHT: Minimum dry weight of 1325 lbs.

       1. Ballast added to boats shall be securely anchored in a manner to

            prevent it from detaching while underway.  No single piece of ballast

            shall weigh more than 50 lbs.  Boats adding more than 40 lbs. shall be

            required to attach the ballast a minimum of 3 feet forward of the inside

            of the transom.

      2. Any combination of batteries in excess of 120 lbs. shall be considered

          ballast.

D. DRIVE:

       1. Shifter type with working fwd, neutral & rev. 

       2.  V-6 lower units must measure at least 4 1/2 inches in diameter just

           forward of the propeller.. All units must be run with the center of

           the prop shaft no higher than 1 inch below the last 3’ of the running

           surface . The prop shaft must be parallel to the running surface at the

           time of measurement. Engine jacks shall be disabled and sealed for the

           duration of the race Water pick up must be on the gearcase.  Alternate

           engines such as Evinrudes, Johnsons, or Mercury inline 6 cylinders may

           run the original factory installed gear case 1” below the last 3’ of the

           running surface . The prop shaft must be parallel to the running

           surface at the time of measurement.                   

 DIVISION IV:  V-Bottom Outboard “Ski race” boats.

  ****START TIME: 0 PLUS 15 MINUTES - Approximately 10:15 A.M.

      A. ENGINE: Any engine allowed in accordance with the current

                         “ski race” rules.

      B. HULL:  Any V-bottom hull allowed in accordance with the current

                       “ski race” rules.

      C. DRIVE:  Any drive in accordance with the current “ski race” rules.

                        Prop shaft height limited to even with the last 3’ of the

                        running surface.

DIVISION V:  A. Unlimited Single Engine V-Drive.  B. Unlimited Single

                          engine Jet Drive.  C  Naturally aspirated single engine

                       outdrives.

****START TIME 0 PLUS 32 MINUTES- Approximately 10:32 A.M.

    A.     SINGLE ENGINE V-DRIVE:

          1.     HULL: “Flat”, “V”,  “MOD-V”, or TUNNEL. (Min. length 16” Max

                length 24.99’)WEIGHT:  Unrestricted.

          2.   ENGINE: Unrestricted

    B.  SINGLE ENGINE JET:

          1.  HULL: “Flat” , “V”,  “MOD-V”, or TUNNEL. (Min. length 16” 

              Max length 24.99’)

          2. WEIGHT:  Unrestricted.

          3.  ENGINE: Unrestricted

          4.  DRIVE: “Z” drives are permitted. Jets must be equipped with a

                              rudder  that extends a minimum of   4” inches below the

                              bottom of the jet nozzle and has a minimum surface area of

                              16” square  inches. Adjustable nozzles may be used but must

                              be limited to 5 degrees above the planning surface of the

                              boat and shall remain in the full down position at all times

                              when operating in or near pit row Upon departure from pit

                              row, the nozzle shall  remain in the full down position until

                              safely on the race course.

                          (SAFETY ITEM: violation subject to disqualification.)

    C.  SINGLE ENGINE  OUT DRIVE (502 CI)

           1.  HULL: Any V-bottom hull. (Min. length 16” Max length  24.99”)

           2.  WEIGHT:  Unrestricted.

           3.  ENGINE: 502 max cubic inch, naturally aspirated. No blowers, or

                                  or turbo chargers.

           4.  DRIVE:  Any “shifter” type outdrive with a working  forward,  

                                Neutral,  and reverse. No height restrictions.

    D. SINGLE ENGINE OUT DRIVE (410 CI)  

              1.  HULL:  Any “V”, FLAT, or Mod –V Bottoms. No true Tunnels.

              2.  ENGINE: Any small block up to a maximum of 410 c.i., naturally            

                                  aspirated. No blowers or turbo chargers.

           3.  DRIVE:  Any “shifter” type outdrive with a working  forward  

                                 and reverse. No height restrictions.

DIVISION VI:  (A) Modified & Green outboard Mod VP or V bottom hulls

                                  only. No true tunnels or capsules

****START TIME 0 PLUS 40 MINUTES- Approximatly 10:40 A.M.

A.   SINGLE AND MULTI-ENGINE OUTBOARDS

          1.     ENGINES:

 a. Naturally aspirated only. No nitrous oxide & must use gasoline

     with oil mix only. No fuel additives allowed.

 b. Green engines allowed but must remain as delivered from the

      engine manufacturer. No modifications allowed except for

      steering attachments.

  c. None green motors may be modified

          2.   LOWER UNITS:

  a. Green lower units must remain as delivered from the

       manufacturer & shall run the propeller shaft no higher than

                     even with the last 3’ of the running surface. The prop shaft must

                     be parallel to the running surface at the time of measurement.

                 b. None green lower units may be modified but must be a V6/8

       style. No XR6 style units allowed. Shaft height limited to 1”

       below the the last 3’ of the running surface.

   c. All lower units must have a working forward, neutral, &

       reverse from the driver’s seat.

          3.     HULL:

               a. Minimum length 17’ 9” Mod VP, or V bottom style hull

                   with an open cockpit. No true tunnels or capsules allowed.

  b. Single engine boats minimum dry weight 1500 lbs.

  c. Twin engine boats minimum dry weight 2000 lbs.

DIVISION VII:  Unlimited Single & Multi Engine Out Drives

****START TIME 0 PLUS 47 MIN-Approximately 10:47 AM

    A) ENGINES: Unlimited piston style only. No turbines.

    B) HULLS: Any hull except a true tunnel. No capsules allowed.

    D) DRIVES: Any drive allowed but must have a working forward, neutral

                           and reverse from the driver’s seat.                              

DEFINITIONS:

DRY WEIGHT:  Weight of boat and engine, less driver and fuel.

JACKS:  An engine lifting device used to raise and lower the engine.

I/O: A drive unit located outside of the transom of a boat, driven by an    engine located inside the boat.

START TIMES: Handicap start times are based on the top speeds the particular Divisions are expected to run. Boats that are able to run the predicted speeds should be able to finish the race (300 miles) around 2:00 barring accidents or late starts.

DIVISION I:     START TIME 10:00 (PLUS 6 Lap Handicap)

DIVISION II:    START TIME 10:00 (PLUS 0)

DIVISION III:   START TIME 10:15 (PLUS 15)

DIVISION IV:   START TIME  10:15 (PLUS 15)

DIVISION V:    START TIME   10:32 (PLUS 32)

DIVISION VI:  START TIME   10:40 (PLUS 40)

DIVISION VII: START TIME  10:47 (PLUS 47)

FUEL ADDITIVES: The use of Nitrous, Nitrous oxide or any other oxygen carrying additives are strictly prohibited for this race.  Violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification.

RACE COURSE: The race course shall consist of Fifty (50) laps of an approximately Six (6) mile course with three (3) buoy turns at either end. There will be an entrance to pit lane/ row running the length of the pits and beyond which all boats shall enter and exit “off plane” or safely making MINIMUM WAKE (approximately 5 mph.)

RED ZONES: There shall be two (2) RED ZONES on the course. One has to do with an area around each competing boat, the second has to do with the turn buoys, pit  lane, entrance and exit.

A. BOATS: Each boat shall have a “red zone” established around it when on the course. The “red zone” shall be an area of one hundred (100) in front, one hundred feet behind, & twenty (20’) on either side. (A passing boat may not enter the “red zone” of a competing boat.)

B. Turn Buoys: The red zone with regard to turn buoys shall be one hundred (100) feet prior to the turn, continuing through the entire turn, until one hundred feet past the exit buoy. All competing boats shall establish a lane prior to entering the red zone (established one hundred feet prior to the entrance buoy) and shall maintain that lane until exiting the red zone, one hundred feet past the exit buoy.  EG. If you enter the red zone of   a turn, in lane five (5) you must control the speed of your boat so that you remain in lane five throughout the red zone associated with the turn.

 IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY, IT IS FELT THAT A 300 MILE MARATHON ON A SIX MILE COURSE OFFERS A MULTITUDE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PASSING SAFELY OUTSIDE OF ANY RED ZONE.

LANES:  A lane shall be considered to be 20 foot wide in accordance with the dimensions of the “RED ZONE”.  A passing boat shall be responsible for establishing the clearance, and   remaining out of the red zone of the boat being passed. The boat being passed shall maintain a steady course in his/her established  lane . The turn within the red zone shall be made in a “gentlemanly manner” and all boats shall control their speed so that they can maintain their lane around all of the buoys.

 (The referee shall be the final authority on reported lane changes within the red zones)

PENALTY BOX: An area that a competitor who has been black flagged for a violation of the rules shall proceed to and remain for a period of time established at the time of the violation. The penalty box shall be in the vicinity of the judges stand as designated by the referee. No maintenance, including re-fueling shall be done while the boat is in the penalty box. A driver change while in the penalty box shall be   permissible.

FIELD: A minimum of four (4) boats shall be considered a “field”. If there are less than 4 boats registered for a division start, the required “field” shall not be met and boats will automatically be placed in the next division, forfeiting their start/handicap time.  Howere, the referee/race committee may consider allowing a handicap for the class to be combined.

PIT STOPS: There shall be two (2) mandatory pit stops of at least ten (10) minutes each.  All pit stops shall require trailering of the boat at the out ramp, proceeding to the assigned pit area for refueling/maintenance, the boats shall then be allowed to go to the launch ramp.

PIT LANE/ROW: Boats entering the designated pit lane shall slow to a no wake condition or safe speed (approximately 5 mph). Boats traveling in excess of the pit lane speed may be “docked” one lap or assigned to the penalty box depending upon the magnitude of the violation.  At anytime during the race all boats must exit the pit lane (to re-enter the course) as prescribed.  Failure to do so will result in a minimum one (1) lap penalty.

PIT AREA:  An area assigned by the Race Chairman, based on the date the entry fee is received. This is the only area the boat may be fueled or maintenance performed. NO SMOKING/ALCOHOL IN PIT AREA!

FUELING:  Fueling may be performed using approved overhead fueling rigs with double safety valves, one at the fueling tank and one at the nozzle.  The fueling nozzle shall be of the gas station type with a maximum of one inch opening. All fueling rigs must be properly grounded. NO SMOKING IN PIT AREA

ELECTRIC  fuel pumps must have a shut off valve at the nozzle and must be properly grounded.

HAND OPERATED pumps may pump directly into the tank with no nozzle required.

              FUEL SPILLS, each team is responsible and must clean up any fuel spills immediately. There shall be appropriate equipment for fuel clean-up in each pit.

              FIRE EXTINGUISHER: One 40 BC fire extinguisher shall be required in each pit and shall be manned during all fueling operations.

     STARTS: MODIFIED LEMANS:

DIVISION I & II: The first start shall be of a modified LeMans start. One or more holders per boat shall be responsible for holding the boat in a proper position parallel to the other boats on the starting line. Upon receiving the start signal these drivers should start their engines,  accelerating and  angling out to the center of the race course.

DIVISIONS III THROUGH VII shall start their engines upon a “start” signal from the officials stand/Start Boat and will proceed in a orderly manner down pit lane exit. Once clear of pit lane, the boats may accelerate unto the course remaining clear of all boats that have been previously started and are already on the course.

       FINISH: The first boat to complete fifty (50) laps shall be declared the overall winner.  All boats following the winner shall be allowed to complete the lap they are on when the checkered flag is given to the winning  boat. (eg. A boat in front of the boat receiving the checkered flag shall be allowed to complete the lap and will be scored for that lap. A boat behind the boat receiving the checkered flag will be scored as he crosses the finish line and may not continue in the race. )  Simply stated, every competitor that crosses the finish line while the checkered flag is flying will be finished racing and will be scored for laps completed! A Boat on the course has 15 minutes to finish the race after the checkered flag has been flown (to be scored for that lap).  If a boat is not running at the end of the race, the boat will be scored on laps completed. It is not necessary for a boat to be running in order to be scored.

       RE-STARTS: All restarts shall be modified Le Mans starts with positions based on laps completed at time of race stoppage.

       THE BWRC 300 shall be considered finished when the first boat has completed 50 laps, or after 6 hours and 30 minutes after the first start, at which time all boats shall be scored based on laps completed at time of race stoppage.

       RACE STOPPAGE: If the race must be stopped due to weather or circumstances beyond the control of the Race Committee, the “ENDURO” will be considered complete and a winner shall be declared if either a.) the lead racer has completed more than 31 laps of the race or b.) there has been at least five (5) hours of racing after the start of the first class. If there is a stoppage prior to the aforementioned item "a"or "b"  an attempt to complete the race will be made on Sunday. All boats competing  in the re-start shall receive front start positions based on laps completed at time of race stoppage. The restart shall be of a modified Le Mans start.   

NON-CONTINUANCE: If for any reason the race cannot be completed over the week-end, Division Winners will be declared based on laps completed. There will be no OVERALL winner. Trophies and monies shall be adjusted accordingly.  

       SCORERS:  Each competing boat shall provide at least one (1) scorer per boat at their own expense.

      SCORING:  A competing boat must cross the start/finish line under its own power in order to be scored for that lap.         
INFRACTIONS: Depending upon the severity of the infraction committed by the Driver, Member of the Pit Crew, or immediate Associates (friends/relatives etc) of the team involved, the boat shall be black flagged and assigned to the penalty box or disqualified. If a driver ignores the Black Flag, scoring for that boat shall stop immediately and the penalty shall be “served” at the next pit stop. An additional penalty may be assessed at this time.

       JUDGES: Shall be placed in every patrol/safety boat and shall be responsible for reporting all violations to the Chief Referee who shall, in conjunction with the Race Committee reach a rapid decision as to the severity of the violation. The violator shall be black flagged, assigned to the penalty box or receive a loss of laps already completed.

       PATROL/SAFETY BOATS: shall be equipped with flags and upon receipt of orders from the Chief Referee shall attempt to fly the appropriate flag.

       NOTE: There is no further need to express our desire for a SAFE RACE! This race will not be won in the   turn, nor will it be won by an unsafe pass violating any of the RED ZONES.  The OFFICIALS would like   to remind you that they will do everything to keep you legal but have no choice in the matter of a driver or      or team that exhibits unsafe/unsportsmanlike practices while on or off the course. Our theme  of
“L  "LET NO BOAT BE LEFT BEHIND” will continue as long as we can keep it FUN & SAFE!

         In the interest of safety and to maintain parity with all of the Divisions and boats of different speeds, cha handling characteristics, etc. it is most important that we          officially interpret  the SPIRIT OF OF THE RULES CONCEPT OF BOTH THE HAVASU AND BLUE WATER 300, rather than  the  the  strict letter of the rules.      Therefore, if you feel you have found a “loop hole” in the rules, check with the rulerace chairman before you get creative  and waste your good money & time!

THE REFEREE’S DECISION IS FINAL IN ALL MATTERS!

        RACE CHAIRMAN: Ross Wallach (310) 318-4012

       RULES  & TECH. COMMITTEE CHAIR: Ben Marrone (626) 523-0456

       TECH COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR: TED KOLBY  (310) 413-4301

        Note:   Please refer technical questions to Ben Marrone & or Ted Kolby

       RULES SUBMITTED 2/19/2011

       WHEREAS it has been the intention of the rules committee to make “minor” adjustments  to the rules
        each year so that no boat shall be left behind because of a said rules change. Therefore the rules will be    adjusted in a manner to promote increased safety and bring the finishes closer together, giving any   boat in any division the opportunity for a “podium-finish”.