Background

For years, multi-racing (also known as ‘Endurance’ racing) has seen a steady development of the sport with lighter, stronger composite hulls, more powerful engines and the use of a variety of technology to aid performance.

Tech

It is not uncommon to have boats with numerous servos controlling various functions beyond rudder, throttle and fuel mixture. These days, on-board glow drivers, sliding tuned pipes and integral trim tabs (sometimes linked to electronic gyroscopes) are common. Additionally, 2.4 GHz radio control has given us real-time telemetry showing things like engine R.P.M., temperature and speed all displayed on the transmitter screen and allowing performance to be optimised.
Hardware has also seen dramatic improvements over the years helped by modern CAD design and CNC manufacturing processes. The impact has been most prominent with propellers where efficiency has improved beyond what was thought possible with thinner, stronger blades and precise manufacturing tolerances.

Engines

Similarly, engine design has seen power outputs steadily increase. Geared engines are almost exclusively used in 3.5cc and 7.5cc classes and, in the last decade, 15cc as well. It should be noted that there is now a trend toward more direct drive boats in this latter class.

Racing

So, to the racing. Speed has improved dramatically, and continues to do so, which has driven a constant evolution in hull design. With the increased complexity and performance, reliability has sometimes been a challenge but, overall, this has improved. As the number of venues in the U.K. has reduced, racers have had to venture abroad to the numerous races in Europe, indeed, the controlling body, iMBRA have introduced a Western and Eastern European racing league. Anyone who has witnessed the racing at these events will tell you that the quality and intensity of the racing is mind-blowing with some of the top racers finishing on the same lap after 30 minutes of full-bore racing.

Summary

This all paints a very positive picture. But the development of the sport has seen some big changes in distances racers have to travel, the equipment used and construction techniques. All of this has, unfortunately, meant a dramatic increase in cost. In absolute terms, it could be argued that costs aren’t excessive when compared to other forms of racing, but the reality is that they are substantially more than some older racers might remember. This may be, prohibitive for any potential new racers.
Overlaying this with the loss of some venues due to noise, or other environmental concerns, it is perfectly understandable that the number of racers has seen a marked decline. However this has not, it would appear, dampened the level of interest

M.P.B.A. Retro Endurance Series

Rules

Retro racing is an additional class to be run at selected events in the 2026 U.K racing calendar. The following set of basic rules are to be adopted with the intention of promoting participation from the wider model boater community in Multi (Endurance) racing. Rules will be adapted based on the interest and level of participation at initial events.
Unless otherwise stated, existing Multi Rules will apply.

1.0 Boats

1.1 All boats must be of fibre-glass (epoxy or polyester) or wood construction (e.g. no epoxy carbon or carbon composite materials)
1.2 Maximum engine capacity is 10cc
1.3 Rubber engine and pipe mounts are permitted
1.4 Both standard and cone (turbo) glowplugs are permitted
1.5 Reduction gearboxes only permitted on 3.5cc and 6.5/7.5cc engines
1.6 Maximum of three servos (rudder, throttle and needle valve) to be used.
1.7 Manually adjustable trim tabs are permitted
1.8 Metal propellers are not permitted, only plastic
1.9 Installation of a suitable MyLaps transponder for lap counting is preferable, but not compulsory

2.0 Racing

2.1 A minimum of 2 x15 minute races will be scheduled during the day with the highest laps to count. Additional races will be at the discretion of the organising club
2.2 Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places
2.3 Fuel will be limited to 12% nitromethane (by volume) in accordance with iMBRA rules
2.4 Depending on the number of boats racing with smaller engine capacities (e.g. 3.5cc, 6.5cc and 7.5cc) at an event, a handicap system may apply to determine the winner
2.5 Entry to all races will be via the M.P.B.A Race Hub

Zack takes his 2nd 3.5cc World title after winning gold in France 2018

Zacks Win
iMBRA

22nd World Championships Day Seven 18.8.24
Early breakfast and then down to the lake for 8.30am.
Still warm but slightly cooler today at 32C which is a welcome relief.
A1 to start and Pete had a good launch and good run due to cutting the sponson hook off the boat.
Angela’s A1E next – good launch but the shaft did not hold so it stopped mid run.
B1’s next another good run for Angela same speed as yesterday but getting quicker at the end. Pete’s B1 was slower than yesterday due to changing the prop.
Back to the hotel to start packing and to the town centre for lunch. Call from the lake to say the closing ceremony had been brought forward so off we went. It was lovely to see all the well deserving champions receive their medals and our very own team leader with a bronze medal. Well Done to All! It was good to see Ganchev’s wife who presented Smolnikov Senior with the Ganchev Cup for long term achievements. Very well deserved!
Now to start thinking about 2025!

22nd World Championships Day Six 17.8.24

Luckily no sore heads this morning. A quick DIY brekkie in the hotel room before making our way back to the lake for 8.30am. A cool 36C today 😎
B1 to start a Pete breaks the British record at 155.363mph. Angela’s B1 had a good run as well 149.686mph.
A1 followed and Pete had a bad launch. Angela’s A1E was next but the shaft came undone when the boat started so could not run.
Off to the cafe for food and drink.
Lunch break ended at 3pm and we started with Norman’s A3 had a plug issue so didn’t finish the lap. Norman then had a good run with his A2 101mph with which he was happy. A2 and A3 classes have now ended and Norman go a bronze in A3 and came 4th in A2. Well Done Norm! Congratulations also to the winners and the runner ups (see charts for more info). Now in Scorpios with a bottle of red plonk to celebrate

Championships Photo Album
On The Wire

We would like to thank all involved and the Racers who made the weekend a great Regatta, the contributions allowed us to donate £1000 to Cancer Research.

Many thanks
Michael
Elmbridge Marine Section Secretary

Despite the foggy heads we headed down to breakfast for 7.30am and at the lake by 8.30am. Norman was helping to mix the fuel and the competition began.
Bryn’s B1 had a good launch but only did a few laps, although he had put a new engine in (Mark 1 Profi). He didn’t put enough fuel in the tank (again) and it ran out before it could get a run in.
Angela’s B1 had a good run but it was slower as the tank was too lean. It is in need of some modification and training. Pete’s B1 went really well but the engine is under compressed so needs training. A1’s followed and we got a run! Pete listened to Norman, moving the tank and putting on a smaller prop and the A1 got a good speed.
At lunch Angela’s B1 had some training and it was brought back to where we were so roll on tomorrow!
After lunch the competition began with the last runs for A3/A2. Although Normans A3 got a good launch the globe plug blew and the boat stopped. Bryn could not run his A2 as he did not mend his tail shaft. Norman’s A2 had a good run, a little bit slower than previously.
The results for the A3 are 1st place Andreii, 2nd place Babken and 3rd place Armen. The results for A2 are 1st place Oleksei, 2nd place Andreii and 3rd place Norman. Congratulations to all but especially to Norman as Johns boat now has a bronze medal!

On The Wire

Day Six 21st European Championships Tethered Hydroplanes A/B Pazardzhik Bulgaria.

After an early breakfast we are heading the lake at 8.30am, Norman and Andreii mixing the fuel as usual.
A1’s were first Pete putting a bigger prop on his boat but it didn’t like it and stopped. B1’s followed. Pete was first and achieved his personal best 150mph. Well done Pete! Angela’s boat is a little rich but did 154.31mph so very happy. Bryn’s engine was a bit lean. Although it didn’t get a run it did manage a couple of circuits of the lake so he is very pleased.
Then off to the cafe for lunch with Koko, Boris and Ivo and to wait for the closing ceremony to start.
The ceremony started shortly after 2.30pm. You can see from the results the Ukrainian team dominated the competition winning medals in almost all the classes. It was very emotional. A huge well done to them and also to the other winners. It was great too to see our own team captain Norman receiving a medal on behalf of Johns boat. Well Done! A new trophy (the Ganchev trophy) has been designed. This was presented to the best competitor (Ivan from Ukraine) by Ganchev’s wife.
It was great to see everyone after 4 years and although in Team GB we all didn’t win a medal it was lovely to take part in the competition.
Looking forward to 2024!

3.5cc

Originally there were 11 boats entered in the 3.5cc class but an early withdrawal, 1st race gremlins causing a DNS and 2 competitors only managing single figures meant there were effectively 7 starters. 4 of these managed over 50 laps with the top 2 being separated by just one lap. I do worry that when the nitro goes to 16% that the people who regularly fail to complete a full race in 3.5cc will struggle even more.
Best Lap – 17.125 – Phill Fields

All the 3.5cc Boats – Click and Scroll

3.5cc Podium

7.5cc

Just one competitor managed a full run in each round – Robert Daniel in round 1 and Dave Pillman in round 2, who had the lake to himself from lap 15 and racked up an unchallenged 64 laps to take an easy win. Not the greatest spectacle when there’s only one boat going round for 75% of the race. I thought I was at a circuit meeting for a minute!
Best Lap – 15.457 – Robert Daniel

All the 7.5cc boats – Click and scroll

7.5cc Podium

15cc

That’s more like it – 6 starters, all managing over 40 laps apiece with 1 lap separating 1st and 2nd. Dean Lords Dirkach set up with a high revving CMB on a small prop had just enough speed to hold off Terry Holmes Seljak Stealth.
Best Lap, and all 10 fastest – 14.202 – James Taylor

All the 15cc boats – Click and scroll

15cc Podium

27cc

Some good progress made on the noise front which Mick Szebeko acknowledged at the prize giving. Dave Marles was unpleasantly surprised to end up 4 laps adrift of Terry Holmes. We think this may have been down to some missed laps where the transponder float was very close to the racing line. No big trophy today unfortunately Dave. Drew Aykroyd broke an engine and will be getting the crank alignment checked.
Best lap – Andrew Aykroyd – 14.866

All the 27cc boats – Click and scroll

27cc Podium

A final word

This was only the first race of the season, but the same small group are finishing races with the majority having issues of one sort or another. We must look to prioritise reliability equally to speed.