Misplaced Pages

This article does not cite any sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Inshore powerboat racing" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Inshore powerboat racing is a form of water-based motorsport using powerboats in sheltered or inland stretches of water, including lakes, rivers, docks and sheltered bays. It is often referred to as circuit powerboat racing because of the frequency of inshore races to use the format of a circuit loop, around which boats race for a number of predetermined laps.

International races and championships are administered by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) while national events are organised by the relevant country's own powerboat association.

Categories

There are numerous categories that define the levels of competition for inshore powerboat racing. Much like circuit car racing, the highest levels are designated "Formula" followed by a number, and the principal of these is the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship. Each "Formula" level follows a different set of regulations that specify the design of the boat and engine, as well as the rules of competition.

The most common form of inshore powerboat racing involves a race around a two pin (buoy) or multi-pin circuit of approximately 1.5 – 2 km in length. Each pin marks a turn in the course. Races will vary in duration, normally no more than 45 minutes, but endurance category races can last much longer, such as the "24 Hours of Rouen".

Historically, powerboat racing has been defined by 'classes' and this is still the case in offshore powerboat racing where Class 1 is the premier category. For inshore racing, up until the creation of Formula 1, the OZ, ON, and OE classes were regarded as the most prestigious categories.

The following Formula categories are currently sanctioned by the UIM:

Category	Date founded	Current champion	Notes
Formula 1	1981	Jonas Andersson
Formula 2	2002	Rashed Al Qemzi
Formula 4	2005	Andrè Solvang
Formula 4S	2010	Max Stilz	Runs as a support category on the F1 tour.
Formula 500	2004	Marian Jung	European championship ran from 1987-2002.
Formula 350	2006	Claudio Fanzini
Formula 250	2001	Peter Bodor
Formula 125	2004	Alex Zilioli
Formula R1000	2002	Reinhard Gerbert

• Formula 3 is one of many defunct "Formula" categories; it was cancelled after 2004.

The following non-Formula categories are also sanctioned by the UIM:

• GT15
• GT30
• SST45
• SST200
• O125
• O250
• O350
• O500
• O700
• JT250
• OSY400
• S550
• P750
• HR850
• FR1000
• OB2000
• OB3000
• Endurance S1
• Endurance S2
• Endurance S3

National competitions

As well as global and continental championships, individual nations have thriving domestic scenes too. In particular the United States, but also many countries in Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In recent years, the sport has become very popular in the Persian Gulf region, particularly the United Arab Emirates and also Qatar.

Boat designs

Many inshore championships utilise variations on the catamaran style boat design, particularly the higher levels of the sport. In lower categories however, different designs are utilised which are determined by the class regulations. In these instances, traditional V hulls and inflatables are common and are the accepted way for younger pilots to gain experience and progress through to the more powerful catamarans.

See also

• Motorboat racing
• Offshore powerboat racing
• Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship
• Formula 4s Powerboat World Championship

References

External links

• UIM Official Website
• Formula 1 (F1H2O) Official Website
• Formula 2 Official Website
• Powerboat Racing World Website
• The Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum

v t e Racing
Running	Track running Sprinting Middle-distance running Long-distance running Relay race Hurdling Steeplechase Road running Half marathon Marathon Ultramarathon Ekiden Off-road running Cross country running Mountain running Fell running Trail running Skyrunning Other Tower running Racewalking Backward running Snowshoe running Parkour
Orienteering	Foot orienteering Mountain bike orienteering Ski orienteering Trail orienteering Radio orienteering Canoe orienteering Rogaining Mountain marathon Car orienteering
Bicycle racing	Road bicycle racing Cyclo-cross Gravel racing Mountain bike racing Track cycling (Keirin) BMX racing Cycle speedway
Animal racing	Camel racing Greyhound racing Horse racing Pigeon racing Sled dog racing
Swimming	Open water swimming Marathon swimming Paralympic swimming
Climbing	Speed climbing
Motor racing	Auto racing Drag racing Formula racing Kart racing Off-road racing Pickup truck racing Sports car racing Stock car racing Touring car racing Truck racing Motorcycle racing Beach racing Motocross Motorcycle chariot racing Rally raid Track racing Motorboat racing Drag boat racing Hydroplane racing Jet sprint boat racing Inshore powerboat racing Offshore powerboat racing Other Air racing Radio-controlled car racing Slot car racing Street racing
Board racing	Longboarding Sandboarding Slalom skateboarding Street luge
Winter racing	Alpine skiing Cross-country skiing Snowboard cross Speed skating Sledding
Multi-sport racing	Adventure racing Triathlon Duathlon Aquathlon
List of forms of racing

• Motorboat racing
• Racing motorboats