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BEST YOU READ THE COMPLETE REFERENCE GUIDE....

2019 OPBRA Reference

COMPETITION REGULATIONS – OVAL CLASSES
g. Exhaust and Midsection casing: Modifications, or custom parts, or removal of factory
parts, that are part of the exhaust system, are permitted below the engine block to
adapter plate gasket, so long as the primary portion of the exhaust still exits through
the gearcase. Changes to the mid-section casing are not permitted. Custom midsection
housing are permitted so long as their sole intent is to convert the motor to a 15” short
shaft. Example1: you can use a bespoke adapter plate and megaphone exhaust tuner while
removing the “can” or “muffler”. Example2: you are not permitted to relieve exhaust by drilling
holes or creating openings in the midsection housing. Example3: you may add exhaust relief
holes to the lower gearcase housing.
h. Engine Mounts: Engine mounts may be replaced by any replacement or custom made
mount so long as the mount points remain factory stock. Example: you can build mounts
from any materials so long as they match factory mount fitment.
i. Engine Block and Rotating Assembly: No modifications are allowed to the cylinders,
internal engine block, or rotating assembly parts aside from blueprinting* and
balancing. Example: you are not allowed to add finger ports to the cylinders
i. You are allowed to blend cylinder liner port openings to the main block casting
without altering the cylinder liner itself, and to maximum depth of 10mm in to
the block casting port passageway. This is solely to remove mis-alignment, or
abrupt flanges and edges, from the liner to block casting transition.
ii. For engines that have UIM or APBA Homologation Specification documents
available, those documents will provide the maximum or minimum
measurements for allowed changes to cylinder and block features, and for
blueprinting.
iii. Where Homologation Specifications do not exist, no alterations are allowed
other than matching the best factory feature for the remaining cylinders; and
this reference feature must remain completely unaltered and factory stock. .
Example: you may remove just enough material from a connecting rod to match a
lighter, un-altered, factory connecting rod as part of the balancing of the rotating
assembly; one reference connecting rod must remain completely unaltered in the
engine.

Please keep in mind that our intention was not to stray from T-CORD rules.
We want all racers to be able to compete.
Our Rules Committee did a great job.
Feel free to contact us at info@opbra.ca for clarification/questions.

After a quick read thru the rules there are several rules many T boat guys will like:

T750
Not a lot different .....shorter boat
Mid section mods.......this should??? allow a racer to run an SST45 mid provided you weld the nose piece back on to cover the mid's exhaust hole. Many like that mid because a nitro or SST60 foot bolts right on, it has a good tuner, comes with steering arms, solid motor and mid section mounts and thru transom trim. Plus you can get the SST45 cowl

T850
- shorter boat
- stock motors.....now a 49 OMC or 70CES yamaha are back being competitive!!
- less cost to have a competitive boat

NOW OPBRA HAS ADDED 3 CYLINDER DRAG......extra racing for T racers....MORE FUN!!
- most T850 boats already weigh close to 800 lbs...I bet most T850 boats only need to add fuel to make the weight...
- some will run mod motors....others will race their OVAL boat
- some will only run drag
- we will see different types of hulls and motors in this class
- simple Tech rules......and there finally is class for the 90 YAMAHA

HULL RULE FOR T OVAL......MODIFY THE BOTTOM.
- VOODOO racers can remove that notch at the stern if they want too!
- you can modify the pad

I'm a little confused. Why allow the SST-45 mid? The Nitro and SST-60 gearcase fits the standard 15" mid! That's what all the 2 cyl. OMC guys run now. I assume it is to get the trim & tuner, not so much the gearcase fit. Steering bars are not a game changer.

Thom, I think the idea behind the rule is NOT for the SST45 mid....it just happens to fit the rule. The intent behind the rule is for other motors that only come in 20 inch models to be converted to 15 inch......an ETEC for example or even a long shaft 60 hp Mercury four stroke. The rule widens the motor selection.

I know early on I wanted to run the SST-45 mid, but after speaking with you about buying one you had, you said it was not legal in T-750. Now with this rule change we can if we plug the exhaust outlet on the mid. How does this rule change help other model motors to convert to a shorter mid? Still don't get it! It must be the cold weather slowing down what few brain cells I have left. Lol

Guess I should read the actual rule as it is stated.

When will T Class rules for 2019 be available for download?

It is just OPBRA that is creating their own rulebook.
I believe TORC rules haven't changed since I got the 2015 rulebook from Don.

Then what rule change is Don referring too? "The use of the SST-45 mid-section." Thx Matt

These are the OPBRA rules. There haven't been any changes recently to the CBF rules.