Senior Drivers Briefing

Drivers are to be provided a copy of the briefing sheet prior to or at the race or event briefing.

To be read to all competing drivers with any explanations required to be addressed at Drivers Briefing.

This meeting is conducted under the Rules of the APBA. This briefing is a summary of the Rule Book with some additional rules and interpretations of such Rules pertaining to the UHPBC course and event.

1.     No alcohol, illicit drug consumption or smoking, including vapes, is permitted in the Pit area.

2.     No open shoes or thongs are permitted in the Pit area.

3.     No crew are permitted to be riding on Trailers. Drivers MUST remain seated in their boats when being picked up in the Pit area, while launching and retrieving their boats.

4.     Drivers shall have a breath test each race day prior to competing and random checks may be conducted for drivers and crews throughout the meeting.

5.     Boats must turn left at all times during the race.

6.     Competitors are to be prepared to head to the ramp when required. Please pay attention to announcements and Pit Officials and if other boats in your heat are heading to the ramp. If you are running late, you may miss your race.

7.     All boats must be ready to launch when heading to the ramp. Competitors are not to park unnecessarily on the ramp before launching.

8.     Boats are NOT to launch from the ramp and/or leave South Creek without being directed to by an official.

9.     No boat is to enter the course while the race is in progress or when in the hands of the start boat.

10. All boats MUST enter and leave South Creek at Idle Speed. Be aware, other vessels may be in close proximity.

11. Helmets, Life Jackets and all safety equipment are to be worn at all times whilst on the racecourse, whilst heading to and in the start area of the course, whilst a race is in progress and when returning to the ramp. If you are being towed back by a course boat, you may remove your helmet & helmet restraints ONLY.

12. Scratch Races: The Start Boat will pick up boats and proceed to an area off the course down stream of South Creek and the boats will either mill or stop and wait for the water to settle. The Starter will then indicate by raising of the white flag and line the boats up with the boat in lane 1 within two (3) boat widths of the start boat while the other competitors must line up in their respective lane positions within two (3) boat widths of their inside lane number. They will bring boats down – in line, with the bow of the boats level with the transom of the start boat and the flag will be dropped on the back straight. There will be no restarts and if you are in front of the start boat or charge the start – you may be disqualified.

13. All boats MUST maintain their lane positions from the drop of the flag until they exit the lead out buoy on the first corner, maintaining their lane position around the corner. Lane 1 within three (3) boat widths of the turn buoy, lane 2 within three (3) boat widths of lane 1 and so on. Failure to adhere to this may result in disqualification from the race or heat.

14. Do not assume water conditions to be perfect, the decision to race is up to the driver.

15. Boats must maintain their course so as not to hinder any other boat, and not change lanes until they have attained sufficient lead to do so safely. (Minimum. 3 boat lengths).

16. When passing a buoy and an overlap has been established between two Boats when both of them are about to pass a buoy on the required side, both Boats must maintain their lanes, i.e. they must maintain their distance from the buoy until the buoys has been rounded.

17. If you hit a turn buoy you will be penalized unless you can prove you were incorrectly forced onto the buoy. If you are able to continue, wait until all boats have passed and it is safe to do so, you may then re-enter the race.

18. If you miss a buoy do not re-attempt it. Continue around the course. If you re-attempt it, you may be disqualified from the race or heat. A penalty may apply for missing it.

19. All races are 3 laps or unless directions are issued from the Tower or the Pit Controller.

20. If you pass a boat, you usually wouldn’t pass, be aware as there may be a red flag or incident on the course.

21. All boats are to STOP on Red Flags. Failure to adhere to this may result in disqualification from the race or heat.

22. Do not pass run out buoys at each end of the course.

23. If you lose power or are slowing down – raise one (1) arm and don’t make any sharp turns. Slow down in a straight line. Do not run off course at turn buoys.

24. If you are involved in an incident where you end up in the water for any reason, you will be picked up by the Rescue Boat and taken from the water into the Rescue Craft, no exceptions, and you will be assessed by the on-board Paramedic.

25. All boats are to finish on the chequered flag regardless of what lap you are on.

26. When the race is finished, continue around the course until the black flag is shown from the Tower or course Boats. (Do not go past run out buoys or across the course and do not return to the bank until the Black Flag has been displayed).

27. All boats Must pass the start/finish buoy on the back straight, before crossing the course once the black flag is shown.

28. Distress Signals

·        Slowing Down - Raise 1 arm

·        Steering Loss - Raise both arms

·        Immediate Assistance Require - Stand & wave

·        Boats with Cockpits Open & close canopy to Signal Tower, if no signal the race may be Red flagged.

29. Flags

·        White Start Flag - In the hands of the starter (start boat starts)

·        Green - Race in Progress

·        Yellow - 1 Lap to go

·        Chequered - Finish (All Boats regardless of what lap)

·        Black - Recall (Do not return to the ramp until displayed)

·        Red Cross on White Background - Caution (Keep racing but be aware of an incident on the Course)

·        Red - STOP and wait instructions from the Tower or Course boats.  

30. Race Classes - Engines may be measured along with boat compliance for the Class entered. If you have doubts about the ability of your boat to pass that test you should withdraw from this event.

31. Protests - To be lodged on the approved form which is available from the Tower, with the associated fee attached, to the Officer of the Day.

32. Competitors are responsible for ensuring they can safely navigate the course at all times, including before and after the race.

33. Competitors and crew MUST comply with all directions from safety personal or officials.

34. Radio Communications – It is recommended radio operators are situated in a position where they can clearly see the flags and may inform their respective drivers in a timely manner.

35. Are there any Provisional Drivers competing today. Make other competitors aware.

36. Abuse of any officials or volunteers will not be tolerated. Boat Owners, Drivers or crew may be disqualified for the day and further action taken post the event.

37. Participants are advised that a drone will be operated during the event and may fly within 15m – 30m of participants or their equipment.

Jnr Drivers Briefing

Drivers are to be provided a copy of the briefing sheet prior to or at the race or event briefing.

To be read to all competing drivers with any explanations required to be addressed at Drivers Briefing.

This meeting is conducted under the Rules of the APBA. This briefing is a summary of the Rule Book with some additional rules and interpretations of such Rules pertaining to the UHPBC course and event.

1.     No alcohol, illicit drug consumption or smoking, including vapes, is permitted in the Pit area.

2.     No open shoes or thongs are permitted in the Pit area.

3.     No crew are permitted to be riding on Trailers. Drivers MUST remain seated in their boats when being picked up in the Pit area, while launching and retrieving their boats.

4.     Drivers shall have a breath test each race day prior to competing and random checks may be conducted for drivers and crews throughout the meeting.

5.     Boats must turn left at all times during the race.

6.     Competitors are to be prepared to head to the ramp when required. Please pay attention to announcements and Pit Officials and if other boats in your heat are heading to the ramp. If you are running late, you may miss your race.

7.     All boats must be ready to launch when heading to the ramp. Competitors are not to park unnecessarily on the ramp before launching.

8.     Boats are NOT to launch from the ramp and/or leave South Creek without being directed to by an official

9.     No boat is to enter the course while the race is in progress or when in the hands of the start boat.

10. All boats MUST enter and leave South Creek at Idle Speed. Be aware, other vessels may be in close proximity.

11. Helmets, Life Jackets and all safety equipment are to be worn at all times whilst on the racecourse, whilst heading to and in the start area of the course, whilst a race is in progress and when returning to the ramp. If you are being towed back by a course boat, you may remove your helmet & helmet restraints ONLY.

12. All Junior racing will be conducted under handicap racing conditions. This will be discussed later in the briefing and any changes or alterations to this will be explained. At the conclusion of the briefing all competitors will launch, and parents will be conveyed to the Junior starting area on the opposite side of the river.

13. At the beginning of each race all boats MUST maintain their lane positions from the drop of the flag until they exit the lead out buoy on the first corner, maintaining their lane position around the corner. Lane 1 within three (3) boat widths of the turn buoy, lane 2 within three (3) boat widths of lane 1 and so on. Failure to adhere to this will result in disqualification from the race or heat.

14. Do not assume water conditions to be perfect, the decision to race is up to the driver.

15. Boats must maintain their course so as not to hinder any other boat, and not change lanes until they have attained sufficient lead to do so safely. (Minimum 3 boat lengths).

16. When passing a buoy and an overlap has been established between two Boats when both of them are about to pass a buoy on the required side, both Boats must maintain their lanes, i.e. they must maintain their distance from the buoys, until the buoys have been rounded.

17. If you hit a turn buoy you will be penalised unless you can prove you were incorrectly forced onto the buoy. If you are able to continue, wait until all boats have passed and it is safe to do so, you may then re-enter the race.

18. If you miss a buoy do not re-attempt it. Continue around the course. If you re-attempt it, you may be disqualified from the race or heat. A penalty may apply for missing it.

19. All races are 3 laps with the exception of some Championship races, or unless directions are issued from the Tower or the Pit Controller.

20. If you pass a boat, you usually wouldn’t pass, be aware as there may be a red flag or incident on the course.

21. All boats are to STOP on Red Flags. Failure to adhere to this may result in disqualification from the race or heat.

22. Do not pass run out buoys at each end of the course.

23. If you lose power or are slowing down – raise one (1) arm and don’t make any sharp turns. Slow down in a straight line. Do not run off course at turn buoys.

24. If you are involved in an incident where you end up in the water for any reason, you will be picked up by the Rescue Boat and taken from the water into the Rescue Craft, no exceptions, and you will be assessed by the on-board Paramedic.

25. All boats are to finish on the chequered flag regardless of what lap you are on.

26. When the race is finished, continue around the course until the black flag is shown from the Tower or course Boats. (Do not go past run out buoys or across the course and do not return to the bank until the Black Flag has been displayed).

27. All boats Must pass the start/finish buoy on the back straight, before crossing the course once the black flag is shown.

28. Distress Signals

·        Slowing Down - Raise 1 arm

·        Steering Loss - Raise both arms

·        Immediate Assistance Required - Stand & wave

·        Boats with Cockpits Open canopy & Signal Tower, if no signal the race will be Red flagged.

29. Flags

·        White Start Flag   - Start boat starts: In the hands of the starter 

                                - Clock starts: 1 minute to start 

·        Green - Race in Progress

·        Yellow - 1 Lap to go

·        Chequered - Finish (All Boats regardless of what lap)

·        Black - Recall (Do not return to the ramp until displayed)

·        Red Cross on White Background - Caution (Keep racing but be aware of an incident on the Course)

·        Red - STOP and wait instructions from the Tower or Course boats.  

30. Race Classes - Engines may be measured along with boat compliance for the Class entered. If you have doubts about the ability of your boat to pass that test you should withdraw from this event.

31. Protests - To be lodged on the approved form which is available from the Tower, with the associated fee attached, to the Officer of the Day.

32. Competitors are responsible for ensuring they can safely navigate the course at all times, including before and after the race.

33. Competitors and crew MUST comply with all directions from safety personnel or officials.

34. It is recommended radio operators are situated in a position where they can clearly see the flags and may inform their respective drivers in a timely manner.

35. Are there any Provisional Drivers competing today. Please Make other competitors aware.

36. Abuse of any officials or volunteers will not be tolerated. Boat Owners, Drivers or crew may be disqualified for the day and further action taken post the event.

37. Participants are advised that a drone will be operated during the event and may fly within 15m – 30m of participants or their equipment.

DECLARATION BY PARENT/GUARDIAN for any person under 18-years of age) :

I/We, the undersigned, understand that the race entered is dangerous and acknowledge and accept entirely at my/our own risk, injury or damage to person or property which may be sustained or incurred as a result of or arising out of my child's participation in the said race or event. I/We further declare that if applicable I/we use at my/our own risk, a Reinforced Cockpit, Deflection Bar(s) or Restraining Belt(s), etc.