I would really like to have an extended meeting after the drivers meeting or before to clarify the GPS rules for are class. I don't think there should be any questions as to the rules in our class P5. I want everyone to agree on what happens when you break out. These rules should be put in stone and we have to be prepared to be DQed if there are any infractions to them. I would like to make sure all the racers in P5 agree to the terms of the rules. It sure makes it easier for the officials to do there job knowing that we all understand the rules and have nothing to complain about if we get DQed. If there are some of you that don't like this hard nose approach to the rules then the rest of the class should know where you stand. Is it hard core racing or is it just for fun and you don't care. I can tell you coming from spec class racing that there is no better feeling of accomplishment then doing well against other boats that you know are equal.
MD

If GPS doesn't work - you get last place points.

You can break out for 3 - three second periods during the entire race. The fourth time you break out for a three second period, you get last place. These are the rules for all classed.

Everyone in the class will be allowed to see the GPS results as they appear on the screen.

We'll do one class at a time in the scoring room. If 1st place doesn't break out, we won't waste time looking at all the other units.

Sound good?

Just because the first place boat doesn't break out, doesnt mean that the 2 3 4 th place boats cant break out to catch up or change positioin. I think top 3 places should be reviewed.

The GPSs better work...They cost enough and you tested them. Didnt you?

Does anyone know if there is a way to test the GPS before the race? The way I understand it, the GPS transmitter sends info to a host receiver. My question is: how do we know the GPS is transmitting? I just recieved my GPS yesterday and I'm attempting to figure it out before Sunday's race. Thanks for any responses.
Bob

The GPS is a recorder, starts when the battery is put in, then the recording is read by the computer.

Thanks Ted, so I guess one puts the battery in during milling to turn the GPS on.

Is a breakout .1 over the max speed? What happens in a case where someones GPS breaks, or doesn't record or battery craps out?
Say 4 boats are racing and one boat breaks on the first lap but didn't breakout and lets say the 3 remaining boats finish but all breakout. Who would be 1st thru 4th and why.
Is there a reason to have the prop calculation any more? If yes Why?
I'm not trying to bust balls just want answers before there could be a problem. I think the GPS tracking system will be the way to go into the future. Some people may even want to get 2 systems for there boat if they don't believe the numbers.
Does anyone else have any scenarios that they have questions on? This would be the time.
MD

Bob,

Go to www.oparacing.com and click on the GPS link. I spent hours makeing photos and text for you guys. It shows everything, including how to test it.

Prop calcs I'll leave to Smitty. I believe he'll still use them.

Here's the deal. We plug the GPS into a computer, and run a report. If it shows a top speed lower than the breakout speed, you are good to go. (We can also see when and how long it recorded so you can't screw with us) No need to replay the entire race. Yes, we can do 1 - 4th. We can do everyone if theres time.

If the report shows a speed higher than the breakout speed (we got one in St Clair at 439 miles per hour) then we go through the whole race, every three seconds. The color changes to show speed. If 71-75 is red and 76 - 80 is purple, you want to see red or below. Each three second period shows a color arrow. We will let you have three purple arrows anywhere througout the race. A fouth and you're toast.

As in drag racing, if everyone breaks out, the boat that runs the slowest speed (closest to the correct speed) wins.

If the battery craps out, you loose.

The moral of the story is, prop your boat right so you don't have to worry about breaking out. Frankly, I'd like to see all speed reading devices removed from your dashboards, wrists and ankles so you can't monitor your speed.

Plus in the ocean, we shouldn't have breakouts!!!!!!

But hang onto your hat in Cambridge.

Who is frankly?
MD