American Boat Racing Association
Encyclopedia
H1 Unlimited is an Unlimited Hydroplane racing
league that is sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association
(APBA), and Union Internationale Motonautique
(UIM). Until 2009, the series was known as ABRA Unlimited Hydroplane, in turn renamed from APBA Unlimited Hydroplane in 2004. The H1 Unlimited season typically runs from June through November, consisting of six races.
A hydroplane (or hydro, or thunderboat) is a very specific type of motorboat used exclusively for racing. One of the unique characteristics about hydroplanes is that they only use the water they're on for propulsion
and steering
(not for flotation) - when going at full speed they are primarily held aloft by a principle of fluid dynamics
known as "planing
", with only a tiny fraction of their hull
actually touching the water.
was founded in 1946 when the unlimited class of boats was allowed to compete following the war
and its subsequent accessibility to aircraft engine
s after it was barred from competing since the 1922 in favor of the newly introduced "Gold Cup Class".
The boats was initially restricted to 625 cubic inches, later increased to 732 cubic inches. Hull
s with "steps" or "shingle
s" on the underside were outlawed.
One of its reason for the rule change was to end the domination of its star driver, Gar Wood, who had won five consecutive Gold Cups from 1917. One of his win in 1920 in his twin Liberty L-12
powered Miss America, averaging 70.412 miles per hour in the 30-mile race over a 5-mile course, broke the race record that stood until 1946.
the first boat racing superstar. "King Gar" had entered fifteen Gold Cup heats during those pinnacle years. He finished first twelve times and second three times. In 1920, at the wheel of his , Wood averaged a phenomenal Final Heat on a 5-mile course. The record would stand until 1946.
Throughout the years, only two boats showed up to challenge Miss America, one of those was George, his younger brother in Miss Chicago. Another reason for the rule change was to make racing more affordable.
Alternatively in 1929, the 725 Cubic Inch Class was introduced by the Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association (MVPBA), the majority of these were powered by Hispano-Suiza 8
aircraft engines, alternatively the Curtiss OX-5
was also used. These boats were popular in the South and the Mid-West but did not have the media attention the expensive and exotic-looking Gold Cup Class counterparts had.
In 1946 after hiatus due to the war, the MVPBA was absorbed into the APBA, as a result, the 725s and the Gold Cups merged to become the APBA Unlimited Class.
, known as ABRA Unlimited (American Boat Racing Association) since 2004) class is sanctioned by APBA
, its governing body in North America
and UIM
, its international body.
Unlimited Hydroplanes are fast boats capable of 200+ MPH on the straight-a-ways and qualifying average lap speeds from 130-165 MPH. They are 28–30 feet in length and weigh a minimum of 6750 pounds (3062 kilograms).
The modern turbine-powered Unlimited Hydroplane is derived from the 3-point prop-riding hydroplanes of the 1950s. These were the first boats to ride on a cushion of air trapped between "sponsons" mounted on the sides of the front of the boat, and the bottom half of the propeller, which was all that touched the water.
They were called "Unlimited" because they were the only class of boat racing the APBA
that had no restrictions on the size of displacement of their piston engines. The designation Unlimited has stayed with the class in the turbine era even though there are restrictions on the turbine engine and its fuel.
The Lycoming T55 L7C, originally used in Chinook Helicopters, is the only turbine engine currently allowed in the sport.
Hydroplane racing
Hydroplane racing is a sport involving racing hydroplanes on lakes and rivers. It is a popular spectator sport in several countries.-International Professional Outboard Hydroplane Racing:...
league that is sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association
American Power Boat Association
The American Power Boat Association is a New York non-profit, membership owned corporation that was created in 1903 by an act of the New York legislature as a racing association for powerboats. It is the United States sanctioning authority for the Union Internationale Motonautique , the world...
(APBA), and Union Internationale Motonautique
Union Internationale Motonautique
The Union Internationale Motonautique is the international governing body of powerboating, based in the Principality of Monaco. It was founded in 1922, in Belgium, as the Union Internationale du Yachting Automobile....
(UIM). Until 2009, the series was known as ABRA Unlimited Hydroplane, in turn renamed from APBA Unlimited Hydroplane in 2004. The H1 Unlimited season typically runs from June through November, consisting of six races.
A hydroplane (or hydro, or thunderboat) is a very specific type of motorboat used exclusively for racing. One of the unique characteristics about hydroplanes is that they only use the water they're on for propulsion
Marine propulsion
Marine propulsion is the mechanism or system used to generate thrust to move a ship or boat across water. While paddles and sails are still used on some smaller boats, most modern ships are propelled by mechanical systems consisting a motor or engine turning a propeller, or less frequently, in jet...
and steering
Steering
Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. which will allow a vessel or vehicle to follow the desired course...
(not for flotation) - when going at full speed they are primarily held aloft by a principle of fluid dynamics
Fluid dynamics
In physics, fluid dynamics is a sub-discipline of fluid mechanics that deals with fluid flow—the natural science of fluids in motion. It has several subdisciplines itself, including aerodynamics and hydrodynamics...
known as "planing
Planing (sailing)
Planing is the mode of operation for a waterborne craft in which its weight is predominantly supported by hydrodynamic lift, rather than hydrostatic lift .-History:...
", with only a tiny fraction of their hull
Hull (watercraft)
A hull is the watertight body of a ship or boat. Above the hull is the superstructure and/or deckhouse, where present. The line where the hull meets the water surface is called the waterline.The structure of the hull varies depending on the vessel type...
actually touching the water.
History
The series for unlimited hydroplaneHydroplane racing
Hydroplane racing is a sport involving racing hydroplanes on lakes and rivers. It is a popular spectator sport in several countries.-International Professional Outboard Hydroplane Racing:...
was founded in 1946 when the unlimited class of boats was allowed to compete following the war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and its subsequent accessibility to aircraft engine
Aircraft engine
An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
s after it was barred from competing since the 1922 in favor of the newly introduced "Gold Cup Class".
The boats was initially restricted to 625 cubic inches, later increased to 732 cubic inches. Hull
Hull (watercraft)
A hull is the watertight body of a ship or boat. Above the hull is the superstructure and/or deckhouse, where present. The line where the hull meets the water surface is called the waterline.The structure of the hull varies depending on the vessel type...
s with "steps" or "shingle
Shingle
Shingle can refer to:*A flat covering element for a roof, including**Shake , a wooden shingle that is made from split logs**Roof shingle, a roof covering consisting of individual overlapping elements...
s" on the underside were outlawed.
One of its reason for the rule change was to end the domination of its star driver, Gar Wood, who had won five consecutive Gold Cups from 1917. One of his win in 1920 in his twin Liberty L-12
Liberty L-12
The Liberty L-12 was a 27 litre water-cooled 45° V-12 aircraft engine of 400 horsepower designed both for a high power-to-weight ratio and for ease of mass production.-History:...
powered Miss America, averaging 70.412 miles per hour in the 30-mile race over a 5-mile course, broke the race record that stood until 1946.
the first boat racing superstar. "King Gar" had entered fifteen Gold Cup heats during those pinnacle years. He finished first twelve times and second three times. In 1920, at the wheel of his , Wood averaged a phenomenal Final Heat on a 5-mile course. The record would stand until 1946.
Throughout the years, only two boats showed up to challenge Miss America, one of those was George, his younger brother in Miss Chicago. Another reason for the rule change was to make racing more affordable.
Alternatively in 1929, the 725 Cubic Inch Class was introduced by the Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association (MVPBA), the majority of these were powered by Hispano-Suiza 8
Hispano-Suiza 8
The Hispano-Suiza 8 was a water-cooled V8 SOHC aero engine introduced by Hispano-Suiza in 1914 and used by a number of Allied aircraft during the First World War...
aircraft engines, alternatively the Curtiss OX-5
Curtiss OX-5
-Bibliography:* Angle, Glenn D., AEROSPHERE 1939. New York: Aircraft Publications, 1940.* Gunston, Bill, World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Somerset: Haynes Publishing, 1995. ISBN 1-85260-509-X...
was also used. These boats were popular in the South and the Mid-West but did not have the media attention the expensive and exotic-looking Gold Cup Class counterparts had.
In 1946 after hiatus due to the war, the MVPBA was absorbed into the APBA, as a result, the 725s and the Gold Cups merged to become the APBA Unlimited Class.
Today
The H1 Unlimited (prior to the 2009 Oryx CupOryx Cup
The Oryx Cup is a hydroplane boat race in the H1 Unlimited season. The race is held in November in Doha Bay on the Persian Gulf in Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar...
, known as ABRA Unlimited (American Boat Racing Association) since 2004) class is sanctioned by APBA
American Power Boat Association
The American Power Boat Association is a New York non-profit, membership owned corporation that was created in 1903 by an act of the New York legislature as a racing association for powerboats. It is the United States sanctioning authority for the Union Internationale Motonautique , the world...
, its governing body in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and UIM
Union Internationale Motonautique
The Union Internationale Motonautique is the international governing body of powerboating, based in the Principality of Monaco. It was founded in 1922, in Belgium, as the Union Internationale du Yachting Automobile....
, its international body.
Unlimited Hydroplanes are fast boats capable of 200+ MPH on the straight-a-ways and qualifying average lap speeds from 130-165 MPH. They are 28–30 feet in length and weigh a minimum of 6750 pounds (3062 kilograms).
The modern turbine-powered Unlimited Hydroplane is derived from the 3-point prop-riding hydroplanes of the 1950s. These were the first boats to ride on a cushion of air trapped between "sponsons" mounted on the sides of the front of the boat, and the bottom half of the propeller, which was all that touched the water.
They were called "Unlimited" because they were the only class of boat racing the APBA
APBA
APBA is a game company founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was created in 1951 by J. Richard Seitz. The game company on their official website states that the letters stood for "American Professional Baseball Association" which was the name of a boyhood league Mr. Seitz participated in with his...
that had no restrictions on the size of displacement of their piston engines. The designation Unlimited has stayed with the class in the turbine era even though there are restrictions on the turbine engine and its fuel.
The Lycoming T55 L7C, originally used in Chinook Helicopters, is the only turbine engine currently allowed in the sport.