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THE RUSH OF A LIFE TIME: OFFSHORE POWER BOAT RACING
from: Offshore power boat racing is undertaken only by those boats conforming to a certain class. These are the large and expensive models, built for speed and to take the pounding of the ocean waves with all its unpredictability.To take part in offshore power boat racing requires expending money in large quantities for fuel. The size of the boats and the distance raced burns it up swiftly. This is one of the costs of competition in this class of power boats. It makes participants part of what is considered by many an elite sport. Practicably, it is commonly a team and sponsored sport. Financed and supported by both private funding and commercial sponsors, it is still, however, considered an amateur sport
Offshore Power boat racing is a regulated sport. Although its focus has previously been on endurance racing, it has now moved closer to a circuit-type racing format. A truly international sport, races are held throughout the world to achieve the ultimate season winner. In this fashion, it is similar to the formula one car racing pattern. Its governing body, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), is based in Monaco. In the countries of Europe, the Middle East & Asia the sport of offshore powerboat racing is led by the UIM regulated Class 1, while, in the United States, offshore powerboat racing is split between the OSS and the SBI / APBA / UIM races. The American Power Boat Association (APBA) is solely authorized to hold the UIM events, including a North American Championship, Divisionals, Nationals and the Worlds.
An F1 Powerboat World Championship is similar to Formula 1 car racing. This grand prix-style event has expanded in scope yearly since its inauguration in 1981. The 2006 season saw 27 drivers competing for 12 teams. In any single race of the circuit there were 24 boats competing. As with Formula 1 car racing, championship points are earned along the way the heard way.
The race course for offshore power boat racing is a circuit of about 350 meters, marked out typically on a lake, river, or sheltered bay, characterized by multiple turns. Depending on the class the power boat is entered in or a part of, speeds can range from 50 to 170mph. In this Formula 1-type of racing, the speed tends to be around 140mph. The races, longer than those of many power boat races, last about 45 minutes.
It is not easy to find out about racing events as they occur. Periodicals and on-line magazines are attempting to address this and other issues regarding offshore power boat racing. One of the very latest magazines H2O Full Throttle and other specialist publications such as Extreme Boats and World of Powerboats, as well as the extreme sports television channels help provide information and will fuel a keener interest in offshore power boat racing in the years to come .
Power Boat Racing Returns To Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta News