Hydroplane racing

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European Motorboat Championship in Żnin (Poland)

Hydroplane racing (also known as hydro racing) is a sport involving racing hydroplanes on lakes and rivers. It is a popular spectator sport in several countries.

Racing circuits

Limited racing

class, to F-125, F-250, F-350 and F-500. These classes are affordable classes to race in

Unlimited Light Hydroplanes

While named "Unlimited Lights", this Hydroplane class is still a limited hydroplane class. According to ULHRA rules, the hull length can range between 20' 0" and 26' 0", can have a maximum width of 12' 6", and a minimum weight in racing trim, without driver, of 2,000 pounds , superchargers are allowed but must be 80% or twenty under. That means the supercharger will be turning 20% slower than the engine crankshaft. They are limited to U.S. Manufacturer engines with a total of 468 or 511 cubic inches depending on Hull weight. Multiple speed gearboxes (transmissions) are not permitted.

Grand Prix Hydroplane

Grand Prix (GP) is a class of boats featuring supercharged big- block engines superchargered to 120 percent over the crankshaft speed producing as much as 1500 horsepower. The 24–26 foot craft are fast routinely attain speeds in excess of 160 miles-per-hour(257.5 km/h)in the straights. This class of boat races in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Unlimited racing

Main article: H1 Unlimited

Although bit of a misnomer as the boats aren't without limits, unlimited hydroplanes have much fewer restrictions than with limited hydroplane racing. These 30 foot, 6,800 lbs boats run primarily with a T-55 L7 turbine (used during the Vietnam era in the Chinook helicopter) capable of up to 3000 horsepower with current restrictions. The T-55 L7 creates rotation which is transferred through a gearbox at around 50% reduction of turbine to propeller RPM. Unlimiteds are capable of speeds of 200+ MPH on the straight-a-ways and qualifying average lap speeds from 130-165 MPH. Modern hulls are constructed of composite materials such as honeycomb aluminum, fiberglass, laminated resin and carbon fiber. Ed Cooper (U-3) of Evansville, Indiana is currently the only hull to use piston power. Cooper uses the turbo-charged V-12 Allison, which was used in World War II fighter planes and may produce up to 3500 horsepower. The primary racing circuit for unlimited racing is the H1 Unlimited, whose season typically runs from late June through September, consisting of six races. H1 Unlimited races occur throughout the United States, Canada, and the Middle East.

Stock Outboard Racing

Stock Outboard Racing utilizes both hydroplane and runabout or monoplane hulls with racing engines that utilize a service outboard powerhead and a racing lower unit with a direct drive (i.e. start in gear). Racing in this form ranges from classes designated as follows: A Class, B Class, C Class and D Class. There is also a Junior or "J" Class for kids between the ages of 9 and 16 years of age. The engine sizes range from 9.9 horsepower (7.4 kW) to 50 horsepower (37 kW) with speeds from 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) to 90 miles per hour (140 km/h). In the C Stock Class, the Yamato Motor Company engines used in kyōtei, parimutuel betting in Japan, are reconditioned, shipped to the United States and used for racing in these classes.

Class B Stock Hydroplane