Following the Classic Offshore Powerboat Club AGM at RAF Yacht Club today a presentation was held at their invite from UKOPRA to publish their new classes for historic racing which take immediate effect.
COPC as an existing avid supporter of the regenerated offshore racing scene in the UK had prior to that presentation formalised their affiliation with UKOPRA by unanimous decision in order to allow event organisation under their sanction.
Much work has gone on in the past months and UKOPRA are extremely grateful to the committee of COPC for their input and assistance in creating the new (old?).
Class 4 Historic
Sub Classes for Class 4 are as follows with offshore general rules to apply.
- Runabout – Pre 1990 design to a maximum of 115 HP and 21 ft boat length.
- Cruiser – Pre 1990 design with a maximum speed of 50 knots to be upheld.
- Purpose designed – Pre 1990 design with a maximum speed of 60 knots to be upheld.
The aim is for historic boats to compete on the same courses as existing UKOPRA Offshore class boats with a reduced distance covered to reflect the need to preserve the historic equipment.
The points system to be allocated to this class of racing will take a form of only 25% coming from final race position with the remainder awarded to criteria relating to Presentation, Age, Spirit, Quality of restoration, Provenance etc.
In addition to the above the publication of new UIM rules relating to Pleasure Navigation now allows the following UIM Group B compliant boats to enter our offshore classes as follows:
- UIM Promotion Class can enter UKOPRA 3A/B
- UIM Production Class can enter UKOPRA 3X
- UIM Super boat Sport S1 and S2 can enter UKOPRA 3N
Minimum levels of equipment carried will be as referred to in the UKOPRA general rules.
