P1 PLANS FOR 2010 SEASON RATIFIED BY UIM
Friday 06 November 2009
There will be changes for SuperSport boats in 2010
Proposed rule changes for the 2010 Powerboat P1 World Championship put forward at the recent UIM General Assembly have been approved.
Powerboat P1 Management presented its review of 2009 and proposed improvements for the new season to UIM council members in Riccione, Italy. Among the 25 submissions to the rule chances for 2010, key alterations include the SuperSport class speed limit and the addition of torque sensors.
The SuperSport speed limit increases from 85mph to 90mph with the allowance for accelerating past the threshold restricted from ten to five seconds. Penalties will be incurred for breach of the speed limit, 30 seconds for the first offence and 60 seconds thereafter. Five offences will result in disqualification.
Torque measurement devices will also be attached at the rear of each engine in 2010 and boats will be subject to a dynamometer test. Teams that falsely object to the torque measurement device output and/or its total horsepower output generated whilst racing will be disqualified from all races prior to the test.
Powerboat P1 Racing Director Andy Hindley is confident the new rules will have a positive impact: "Top SuperSport speeds in 2009 were just over 90mph and on several occasions, the fastest boats were not on the top of the podium. We feel these slight alterations will improve the spectacle vastly.
"The torque sensors are designed to iron out cheating. Next year's playing field promises to be the fairest yet and will be easier for us to police."
A less severe policy on engine reliability points should herald some more aggressive action on the water. To claim the full criterion of five bonus points per Grand Prix, each boat must complete the race with the same to engines used in the previous race.
UIM President of the Pleasure Navigation Commission and Powerboat P1 Race Director, Jean-Marie van Lancker, was also present at the meeting: " Everyone is very positive that 2010 will be the best year yet. Having 95% of the panel voting in favour of the rule changes proves we are becoming more professional each year."