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As the motor manufacturers push for the use of new motors in boat racing such as SST200 and F4, there is a stronger push to use older equipment with different motor combinations to reduce costs.

Here is another example:
http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forums/s ... l-whiplash

There are classes such as COR using older MOD VP and V hulls, Ron is using V6 motors on older tunnels and now this class using the V4 motors. There is a lot of old race stuff available at low cost. These classes all seem to aim at the 75 to 85 mph range. Fast enough for good racing and slow enough to be in the safety zone. It will be interesting to see if the classes grow.

I think it would be interesting to see a class like SST-60 but using the same engine rules as T-850 for more engine options. I guess there isn't much chance of seeing anything out here though that requires a cell is there?

Or Maybe something that stays within the 850cc to use the stinger/hustler in it's stock form with a little more compression

Then again, if you were to bring back something close to SST-60, I guess it may as well be SST-60 so you'd have the option to race in the States...

Any outboard class with safety cells is permitted at CBF Outboard races... you just have to have a dive team, inspectors with the know how to perform cell inspections and certifications, and CBF made automatic air manditory for cells a few years ago (a good move I believe. I've raced a cell boat). All this combined makes it cost prohibitive for a class that might only have a few cells. But aside from the money to do all that... nothing stopping people.

How do they decide what needs and doesn't need a cell to race? Is it based on maximum speeds, the type of boat it is? or a combination of both? There are some hydros that hit some pretty crazy speeds so I'm guessing it must be boat design as well.

Is there any chance of running a tunnel class that could hit speeds into the high 70's or low 80's without a cell?

Is there any chance of running a tunnel class that could hit speeds into the high 70's or low 80's without a cell?[/quote]

55-65 depending on class http://thundercatracingna.com/ with two in the boat lol

There is no specific rule, but generally train of thought is:
- above 100 mph, safey cell.
- also they look at the design/size/cost of boats too. A new boat that costs $10-$20k... putting in $3000 cell/air does not impact things that much. Putting $3000 cell/air in a $3000 boat is a big impact.
- also the size/weight of a hull in a crash
- also class overlap rules come into play too. Some classes have very strcit overlap rules for safety... others are more like motorcross and if your head is infront of their head, you have the right of way, which leads to many bumps and bangs.
- the number of crashes in a class comes to play too.

Lots of variables.

As much as people often say the insurer comes up with these safety rules, I've only heard of that every happening once in boat racing. They will let you do whatever you want for the most part... as long as you are willing to pay the preimum for set of given risks. Higher risk of ingury, high premium.

Generally from my experieince it is the racers themselves that react to someone getting hurt that causes the majority of safety rule changes.

Kevin, the idea I had was to get a Thunder Cat and put the centre steering in it. Then test it as a driver only boat not a 2 passenger boat. IF? it worked, I thought it could be added to our current TC Rules. If? the SST60 was too fast ,then try a New Tohatsu 50 hp short. Bet this gets people thinking!

I got the idea after going to the TIBS and seeing all the Cats. People like to relate to their own boats. That is one of the reasons T class attracts people. I talked to several dealers about putting center steering in the boat but not a captain helm style. Something low and light. One dealer mentioned a metal tube frame that fitted in the boats. It was an option on the models they sold. Keeping with the spirit of SO and TC, I thought of a kneeler boat with a crash throttle. That way the driver can move around shifting his /her weight. With the rules for TC. This set up would be fun to race.

that can be done but it defeats the purpose of our boats these are meant for ruff water running and tight turns if you want a single seat tunnel then get a single seat tunnel lots of used ones out there hell Tammy cant give hers away. Once you put a center steer you render the boat useless for recreational use and to be honest you will have a bunch of drivers getting tossed out in turns its going to be hard to keep seated at 3gs think of your t class and the amount of side to side bouncing you get in the tight cockpit now imagine it without sides, also the turn response is to slow with a wheel. Just something to think about.

I guess I wasn't the first person to think of this idea.

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http ... sch&itbs=1