HPBCANADA.COM

Why do these boats have problems in the turns and even on the straightaways?

T class is very different compared to the other classes.
T750 is a much easier class to drive compared to T850. A T750 reacts much slower to water conditions because of the slower speed and the smaller horsepower. A T750 accelerates much slower and takes much longer to get from 50 mph to 60 mph. Both classes can run thru the turns at the same 45 to 50 mph. The difference is the T850 can be entering the turn at 75 mph where as the T750 is at 60 mph.
The driver has to get their boat to set for the turn. The boats have power trim and the driver moves the trim in entering the turn to drop the nose and get more hull surface in the water to enable the boat to turn. If the driver can’t see a lane in the turn where they can set the boat down they have to set the boat down on a wave or waves. The boat in that case will either slide to the right or catch and want to hook. The driver has to fight their way thru the turn.
That’s one reason why you see boats go wider on the turns.
Once the boat sets the driver will start to trim out 3/4 the way through the turn. A T850 has great acceleration and you notice the boats are up on their tail coming out of the turn.
As the race progresses the water conditions worsen. There are rolling waves coming from the side on both straightaways. There are hills, valleys and holes that the driver must look for and avoid. Come off a wave at the wrong angle and the boat will catch or in some cases the bow drops in a hole and catches. It happens very fast and unexpected. Fact is if you race T class sooner or later you will get wet.
The other classes don’t stir up the water as much so they have a much stabler ride most of the time.
The onboard cameras in the video show how challenging it is. Also notice the spray off the boats in the turns. That spray is also a concern and does effect boats following. Drivers stay out of the spray if they can.
From the shore the race is much different compared to being in the race.
When you watch a hydro race. Those drivers are wide open on the straightaways and most times wide open in the turns .
Now listen to the T850 onboard. The driver is far more active . Its very tiring racing a T850 with the back to back heats. We did try running 7 laps back to back, but the drivers said that was too much.
T850 is similar to NASCAR in that they both have more power than they actually need most of the time so you drive according to the conditions. You can’t run a T850 wide open all the time. You see an opportunity and you go for it. You stay in the race because anything can happen. You can go from first to last with one mistake. You try to keep the pressure on the boat ahead of you and force a mistake.
Kristain appeared to have the 4 th quickest boat, but he won the weekend!