CLOSED COURSE RACING
In CLOSED COURSE racing, boats run in particular classes as established
by the American Power Boat Association rules. Each CLOSED COURSE race consists
of two heats, a heat being a three-lap race on the 1 2/3-mile oval course.
Points are awarded to each contestant for each heat based on finishing
positions and the class winner is that boat which scores the most combined
points for both heats. In the case of a point tie for first place, the
winner is that boat with the least elapsed time for both heats. When there
are too many entries to make up one field, the boats are divided for elimination
heats and the boats scoring the most points compete in the final heat.
A.P.B.A. POINT SYSTEM OF SCORING
Order of Finish Points Order of Finish Points
First 400
Second 300
Third 225
Fourth 169
Fifth 127
Sixth 95
Seventh 71
Eighth 53
Ninth 40
Tenth 30
Eleventh 22
Twelfth 17
SPECIAL CLOSED COURSE EVENTS
The INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX, GOVERNOR'S CUP INVITATIONAL and ORANGE
BOWL INVITATIONAL, although CLOSED COURSE events, are run under slightly
different rules. All three are one-heat events, five laps in both the Grand
Prix and Governor's Cup races and six laps in the Orange Bowl Cup with
first boat to finish in each being the winner. However, in the GRAND PRIX,
each boat is afforded an opportunity to run in two three-lap qualifying
heats and the field is made up of the boats scoring the most qualifying
points. Qualifying points do not apply toward winning. There is no qualifying
for the GOVERNOR'S CUP and ORANGE BOWL CUP races. In both events, the field
is made up on an invitational basis.
Both the GRAND PRIX and the GOVERNOR'S CUP race are events for inboard
racing hydroplanes. Theoretically, any class may be included. However,
because of speed capability, the field normally consists of boats from
the 266 cu. in. and the seven litre classes. The field for the ORANGE BOWL
INVITATIONAL race consists of inboard runabouts and is normally made up
of ski racing and E & F Service runabouts, and boats which competed
in the "250" Speed Classic.
Racing Facts You Should Know
A.P.B.A.- The American Power Boat Association, world's largest power
boat association. Sanctions all Orange Bowl Regatta events.
STARTING SIGNALS-Five-Minute Gun-Fired five minutes before start of
race. One-Minute Gun-
Fired 60 seconds before start of race.
FLAG SIGNALS-Red Flag-Raised at five-minute gun sound. Also used in
case of false start or disqualification.
Black Flag-Do not go on course or leave pits.
Green Flag-Signals beginning of final lap.
Checkered Flag-Signals end of race.
Red and Yellow Flags Together-Proceed with caution and maintain position.
Yellow Flag-Postponement, return to pits for instruction. Blue and
White Flag-Man down on course.
White Flag-Designates last minute before the start of a race and the
start.
FUEL
Fuel for race boats normally falls into two categories- gasoline and
methanol alcohol. In the Orange Bowl events, the classes using methanol
are 48, 91, 150 and 266's. Ordinary gasoline is used for 225, 280's, E
& F Service and Ski Racing runabouts. In the "250" Speed Classic, however,
the Pure Oil Company provides special racing gasoline which is slightly
hotter than ordinary high test fuel. |