Brandon Model Boaters, Inc.

Not-So-New NEWS

Start-Camera Saga Continues

The NAMBA District III July race has been completed. It was hosted by the Tampa Model Boaters Club, from Tampa – of course, but held at the Dover Park pond, BMBI’s pond. Again, Mother Nature wills out and rampant vegetation displaced TMBC from their home pond.

TMBC was a bit short handed in participating members but did an excellent job of managing the race events so that things went smoothly and quickly. It seems like almost every other time that I observed the retrieve boat struggling away from the shore, Andy Green was at the helm. With his frequent pit duties and club support, could he be chosen as MVM? (Most Valued Member)

Is power model boat racing becoming a young person’s sport??? The first two races were dominated by a 12 year old young man that was so impressive with his concentration and boat control. J&R Racing’s young Josh (J) Kindred convinced me not to race in his heats. Heat #2 had a true movie-style “photo finish”, that I missed shooting the photo of course! Josh went on to have more success during the rest of the two day event. It was also obvious that Ray (senior member of J&R) provides great boats and support.

Ron Ratoff, District III Director, held a meeting after racing was ended by a horrendous storm on Saturday. The choices between attending the meeting, under his large canopy tent or getting struck by lightening, convinced most race club members to attend. I’ve never attended a meeting before that was so hard to hear – BOOM -CRASH-BOOM – or so soggy. Never the less, Ron persevered with the assistance of Ellie Watts (district scribe and parliamentary rules aficionado) and completed his planned agenda. I am not going to publish the results of all ten items because I couldn’t hear most of what transpired – BOOM-CRASH-BOOM – again. I am sure that Ron will report on the D3 site when Ellie tells him what happened. It is always the secretaries that run the companies.

This race event was a bit small with only 84 heats and 80 or so boats entered. But is was full of some great racing and as usual the Orlando, Miami, Sarasota, and East Coast visitors brought some magnificent boats and matching performances, anyone remember Josh? The weather was rough but it only dampened the ground and T-Shirts, not the spirits of the drivers.

Thanks to everyone, especially our out of town visitors, that attended and supported this event.

Ron Ratoff, District III Director, held a meeting after racing was ended by a horrendous storm on Saturday and the Statt-Camera continued use was voted on, and approved, by District III members.

This is the only agenda item that I will address, because I was sucked into it, is the Start-Line-Camera that the Brandon club has introduced into the race rulings and Competition Director management. I was truly amazed at how many racer-drivers were in total support of it and spoke up loudly (– BOOM-CRASH-BOOM –) in favor of it. An issue of the “view ability” of the display was voiced and is under redesign/review process, my task – “action item”. But, the overwhelming vote FOR continued use of the camera to monitor heat starts and line jumpers was impressive. The CD will be allowed to continue to use it to catch over zealous racers and verify/modify his calls within the first lap, PER NAMBA rules. Obviously, most drivers want FAIR race starts, they said so with their votes. There was one clearly dissenting voice but the – BOOM-CRASH-BOOM – seemed to dampen that influence; but, opposing ideas are always healthy.

Editor

8.11.2008

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This an update to the Start-Camera controversy that BMBI has unleashed on NAMBA District III, its race drivers, and the D3 director. This detailed explanation of the timimg-physics of the camera's process of capturing the "jumpers" of race starts has been provided to the D3 director in an attempt to allay the concerns about the accuracy and validity of the digital camera COP (Canon Optical Police).

Here is the report that was provided. You decide! Camera operating physics report link

Editor
5.19.2008

Check This!!

So, you think that R/C boating is special? These kids have found a really SPECIAL use for a radio controlled boat. Check It Out! Click the link! If this doesn't make you laugh, YOU ARE too serious about R/C boating!!!

Editor
4.15.08

Atlanta Spring Nationals from a BMBI Point of View

BMBI CLEANED UP!

The NAMBA – BMBI boys showed the IMPBA boys how we do it here in Florida. BMBI members took EIGHT first place trophies.

Rod Hendricks - leading the way - with FOUR
John Otto with THREE
Don Riek with ONE

Not bad for one club. With 21 classes run, this represented over one third of the entire event going to BMBI. In addition, John and Don each pitched in a second place. Bad luck in the final round, so I am told, played its game and interfered with these two seconds being firsts. You will have to get the details from the horses ……..

All in all, a great trip for BMBI. Let’s all extend a “well done” to Rod, John, and Don.

Editor
4.21.08

New Start-Line Camera

Due to some interesting opinions and discussions that I have heard about the Start-Camera, I am presenting this article. I wish to provide you with the hard facts, not observations or opinions.

1. The camera wasn't used in place of a CD. It was used to backup his frequent calls of obvious violators (25) of the race start protocols.
2. There is no delay for the camera activation and image capture. It is a simple switch (relay contacts) closure that shorts across the pin contacts on the side of the camera to activate the shoot, same as Canon's remote switch.
3. The delay of visual presentation of the image is less that 300 milliseconds. (1/3 of a second).
4. What is displayed is what takes place at Time-0 same as indicated by the clock. The image capture takes only a few micro-seconds and is not changed or altered by the image processor activities or storage/display functions. IT IS WHAT IT IS! (Bill Clinton)

As one of the turn judges (not CD), I was observing the CD at the time and he was not using the camera to make his calls. Just to confirm and back up his call. The CD had to make some very tight calls and the camera removed the human error factor. The eye is not near as fast as any digital professional-level camera CMOS image processor chip. This is like the Spectrum (sp) radio system that removes the human error factor of setting the radio control up on the wrong channel in spite of knowing what the assigned channel is. It is an advancement in better running and CDing a race. Had anyone been up on the judges stand, I believe that you would have been impressed with how well the start-camera worked for a first time out and quickly settled he-said-he/she said!! discussions.

It became clear in the observation of just a few of the disputes, of the CD's calls, that the camera shortened the time to have heated discussions that seem to have no end. Time and again, I saw drivers accept that they had been caught. End-of-argument!

Conclusion: With the frequency of start-line violators (25 out of 112 races), it became obvious that the "flying start" has some fallacies. The camera provided an unprejudiced observation with total consistency. Perhaps it is too accurate and unyeilding in its performance.

A start camera should be a requirement - NOT banned.

"Get out the stone axes; we can still settle differences that way".

Editor
3.22.08

NAMBA District III Points Race
March 15-16 at Dover Park, Fl.

This was the first big event of the year for the TampaBay area. BMBI hosted this District III race at its home pond. With the weather being what Florida offers in March, and a bit of time since the Orlando Winter-Nationals having passed, turnout was strong.

Areas represented:

Miami
Palm Beach
Sarasota
Tampa
Brandon
Orlando
Broward Club
Melbourne Club
Ohio
New York

The meet had 61 signed-in drivers, operating 156 boats in 112 races with aditional Run-Offs to determine some class winners. Visitor count was high and the amazement look on the kids' faces was fun to watch.

The new "Start-LIne" Police clock did its job well. There was a slight learning curve for the operation of it but everything smoothed out and it caught several undisputable over-the-line jumpers. All new pit tables with propeller safety guards filled the pit area and were so sparkling white that it looked a bit like an Emergency Room, and it was at times.

The lady drivers (as in female) showed interesting competition and that BUMP&RUN driving, ala NASCAR, can still end in a hug and a laugh. Hey guys, learn from this, ........ except for the hug!

There was a lot of intense racing as well as some just fun to watch races. The retrieve boats were very busy all day as the racing did get hot and heavy at times.

A table full of awards were given out after all the wakes and spray had settled. The gallery will show the event better than words.

Editor.
03.19.08

BMBI Announces its new Judge's/Driver's Stand

The two clubs', BMBI and TMB, volunteers gathered at Dover Park on February 2nd and 3rd to tear down and rebuild the old stand. A very strong turnout resulted in having a more than adequate supply of supervisors. Actually, a very efficient set of groups was organized. Supply, production, assembly, and inspection groups kept progress flowing.

A second weekend of effort was required with a smaller group of volunteers to complete the stand. The level of talent that the clubs brought forward was also impressive.

This editor was kept amazed for two days by how "da boss" knew where every board was to be installed and the dimensions of each. I never did see a paper-plan or drawings. See the Gallery for pictures of the fun and games as well as before and after photos of the stand.

January 16th, 2008 Club Meeting

The club’s annual meeting was held at our favorite Italian spot, Giordano’s in Brandon. Early arrivers were clearly ahead, in the food ordering scheme of things, and it was worth it!

Don Riek, club president, wisely called the meeting to order early because of extensive orders of business that needed addressing.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read by Sheila Cardoso, like who else would remember accurately what we did that long ago. Minutes were accepted.

A treasury report was presented by Gene Monger. Club status is healthy and well positioned for a successful year of WCRA and District III race operations and club improvements.

Don discussed the Winter Nationals in Orlando and polled the membership for planned attendees. It appears that we will have a good representation there.

Plans to refurbish the judge’s stand and rebuild the driver’s area of the stand were discussed at length with good interest and general agreement of the members. Don has set the dates of February 2nd, 3rd, and 9th as work days with the possibility of additional dates as required.

Completion of assembly for the start line monitoring camera system was verified by Tom Harris. It is coming!!!, all you good girls and boys.

Officers were elected (re-elected):

Don Riek - President
Steve Hearl - Vice-President
Sheila Cardoso - Secretary
Gene Monger - Treasurer
Bill Britton - NEW - Safety Officer

The members gratefully accepted the continued support of the officers of last season and collectively breathed a sigh of relief as election business closed. The club has had a very successful operation and administration of race events under these supportive people. Bill was overcome with gratitude.

NOTICE:

Upon meeting closing, a sincere and strong request was put to the membership. PLEASE HELP!!! with events’ setup, during race operations, and teardown (ESPECIALLY TEARDOWN) work activities. More hands make for smaller tasks. Typically, our guests out number our members, please don’t try to hide among them.

1.27.2008

Welcome to the 2008 Racing Season

BMBI wants to welcome all model boaters, members and guests, to our web site for 2008. Our New Year's resolution is to offer an exciting and consistently updated power-boating model news site for all enthusiasts. Visitors should feel free to join this site by registering and gaining access to the discussion forums. Your ideas and inputs are welcome in the appropriate topic areas and within the guidelines of a family oriented hobby.

The year of 2007 closed out with two very well participated in and exciting race events. On December 1 and 2, Tampa Model Boaters hosted a NAMBA sanctioned two-day high points race at BMBI's Dover, Florida pond. TMB is having temporary problems with vegetation growth in their home pond and as has happened before, the two clubs collaborated and moved the event to Dover. This precluded disappointing a great number of participants and visitors. It was reported that approximately 140 boats, across all available classes, were entered. As expected, there was some very intense racing and it became clearly evident why the individual races are called HEATS. It was the sweat of the brow and flushed faces of the drivers, in hot contention for the final points available for District III positions, which produced the most interesting heat.

It never ceases to amaze this writer with how many participants show up and how far they travel to race. It is definitely a "Boys and their Toys" thing. But, some ladies are guilty too - a Pink catamaran???, OK with me.

The boys and girls cover the gamut of ages, 12 to "I'll never tell!". It is refreshing to see the wide mix of participants. What I have learned is "look out for those 12 year olds".

Editor

1.20.08

Last WCRA Race

On December 16, the West Coast Racing Association (WCRA) held its final race of the year. WCRA is a group of west coast and central Florida R/C model boat clubs that have joined together to create an annual series of one day races and it does adhere to the NAMBA rules and safety regulations. On this particular day of racing, Florida presented a very challenging weather environment with some of the highest winds of the year. For the light weight and extremely fast model boats, it became a day of driver patience and expertise to not "turtle" the little speedsters and win by actually completing each race. It was a day of SURVIVOR = WINNER, more often than preferred.

Ed.

1.22.08

Fun_Run Completed

Fun Run was just a gathering of boaters and family, at which time, there will be running of boats and maybe some pickup races during the day. There will also be food supplied and awards for 2007 will be given out. See WCRA Schecule.

1.22.08

Florida's West Coast Racing Association Gets A New Website.

08.25.2007

The West Coast Racing Association's website has recently undergone a major renovation. We hope you will find it easier to navigate and review. Race dates are now laid out in order of occurance, current standings, club affiliations, directions to race locations, and contacts are easily found making the site a greater wealth of information. Check it out at www.flwcra.com

Admin.

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Agreement Between Brandon Model Boaters and Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Approved!

07.19.2007

The club president Don Riek, is happy to announce that today, at a meeting of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, the long awaited use agreement between Brandon Model Boaters, inc. and Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation was approved by unanimous vote. This means that, for the next three years, members of our club have official written permission to run our boats and hold race events provided we all follow the rules and requirements of the agreement.

A link to the agreement will be posted here as soon as the document becomes available.

Admin.

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Brandon Model Boaters Makes The Tampa Tribune!

07.18.2007

Brandon Model Boaters, Inc made the front cover of the 'Brandon' section of the Tampa Tribune on 07.18.2007. The club was visited by a reporter during the WCRA race held at the club pond on 07.08.2007. The day was hot, but so was the action. A link to the full story on the Tampa Tribune site is here. Don Riek, (Club President) and John Otto were extensively interviewed and gave in-depth, knowledge driven facts about the hobby of rc boating as well as an overview of the club history. Take five and make sure to read the article!

Admin.

Clean Sweep in A MOD Tunnel by the TBM at Orlando's June 16-17 District III Highpoints Race!
06.20.2007

Brandon Model Boaters, Inc pulled off a 1-2-3 finish in A MOD Tunnel at the June 16-17 District III Highpoints race in Orlando. First place John Otto with a bone stock Lynx/OS Max. Second place, Mike Hutchinson, Lynx/Rossi, Third, Bill Britton Lynx/OS Max.

Missing from the line-up was Steve Hearl who believes that this was because Mark poole had a vodoo doll of him in his hotel room! Saying 'Them South Carolina boy's know how to do that (expletive) !' Mark disavowed any knowldge of such a thing and said 'maybe his setup is wrong'. As Mark walked away, it was noted that he had alot of tools in his back pocket.

Mark Poole traveled from South Carolina to attend the race and was overheard saying 'I ain't payin' thirty dollars for no damn bouy cut!' An under the table fine imposed by the Tunnel Boat Mafia in addition to the normal one lap penalty. Sources say that payment of the TBM attendance fee would have ensured that Mark placed third or better had he payed the usual mafia fee for attending the race and setting up within fifty feet of the pit area. He didn't pay... he didn't place... The statement put out by the TBM late Sunday evening.

RTR action was hot all weekend with a special appearance by Mr. Twisted Liquid and his RTR entourage of little Miss Vegas'. Rumors abounded about the TBM setting up a gambling scheme around the RTR's, and one anonymous member was overheard stating that the TBM had to set up the scam to recoup the monies lost from Mark's refusal to pay the customary TBM attendance fee.

A good time was had by all who attended. The weather, although hot was good with no rain the entire weekend. The smell of BBQ filled the air along with the usual cheers of Oohh's and Aahh's.

Racing was complete by 5:30 PM on Sunday and, although there was no mention of police intervention, Mark Poole was home safe and in his bed by midnight!

Admin.