OMRA
 OMRA Logo for 2019 Race Season | |
| Sport | Radio controlled racing |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | United Kingdom |
| Abbreviation | OMRA |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Affiliation | Union Internationale Motonautique |
| Chairman | Karen Snewin |
| Secretary | Michael Ranager |
| Official website | |
| www | |
 | |
The Offshore Model Racing Association (or OMRA, promoted as Offshore Model Racing) is a non-profit organisation and race series that promotes the construction and racing of offshore radio controlled boats in the United Kingdom. The first race was held in 1969 but the association did not adopt the OMRA name until 1971.[1].
OMRA organises national racing events for various classes with boats designed for offshore conditions. Race classes range from small Nitro powered boats to large scale petrol and electric powered boats. The racing season typically begins in April and ends in October with key events taking place at Cowes [2][3], Southampton Boat Show and Penzance. OMRA have also held races in Guernsey [4], Torquay [5][6] and Bristol Docks[7][8][3].
In 2020, OMRA became a member of Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) in the radio-controlled boat category to operate several races under UIM Rules.[9]
OMRA is also affiliated with the BPBA [10] who are the UK Authority for powerboat racing under the UIM,[9] although they deal primarily with full-size racing rather than scale model racing.
Steve Curtis MBE of the Miss GEICO powerboat team serves as an ambassador to OMRA.[11]
Introduction of digital timing and X-Class for 2019 race season[edit]
For 48 years since its inception in 1971, OMRA had run races with traditional lap counting using a mechanical 'Tally counter'. In 2019 the organisation introduced a wireless digital system built on the XBee 868Mhz wireless USB system. The equipment allowed OMRA to run accurately timed and counted races.[12]. A 9-metre floating bridge was constructed for boats to race through. Each boat carries a unique transponder with an infrared emitter mounted on the deck.
Another introduction for the 2019 series was an electric motor class, whereas there had only been petrol and nitro boats allowed up until that point. The new race class would be known as X-Class.
Race classes within OMRA[edit]
OMRA runs 7 classes of boat, each class maintain and hold their own construction rules for the classes they race.
Z-Class
- Standard Z: 0 – 2.10cc (0.129 cu in) non-spark ignition glow engine, submerged drive only and no gearbox.
- Modified Z: 0 – 2.10cc (0.129 cu in) non-spark ignition glow engine. Drive systems can be direct, geared, submerged or surface.
A-Class
- 0 – 10cc
Non spark ignition glow engine (All .46 size engines are approved for this class)
B-Class
- 10.1 – 30.0cc Non spark ignition glow engine
Catamarans up to 65″ and 30cc engines (glow or spark ignition).
D-Class
- 0 – 26cc (1.586cu in) Standard petrol engine Spark ignition only.
E-Class[15]
- 0 – 65cc Spark ignition only
X-Class
Introduced in 2019, the X-Class allowed electrics into a newly created experimental class. This class allowed racing of any non-internal combustion engine style drivetrain with a particular emphasis on development of electric offshore.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: https://omra.co.uk/ and its subpages.
- ↑ http://elmbridgemc.net/marine/marine-links.html
- ↑ "Welcome to Cowes Harbour Commission". www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Model Powerboat Racing Heads to Cowes for the First Time". 26 September 2018.
- ↑ FORUM, DJI. "Offshore Model Racing Association". forum.dji.com.
- ↑ "Tor Bay Harbour - Offshore Model Powerboat Race". www.tor-bay-harbour.co.uk.
- ↑ https://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article/omra-news/4652 STEWART RAE reports on the Chase Boat Race at Torquay, September 2008
- ↑ https://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article/omra/551 Omra By John Kerr & Stewart Rae
- ↑ https://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article/offshore-model-racing-news-july-2010/7070 Offshore Model Racing News - A round-up of what is happening in 2010
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Union internationale motonautique". www.uim.sport.
- ↑ "bpbaracing.com – Knowledge Fairness Integrity Enthusiasm Transparency".
- ↑ Curtis, Steve (20 June 2019). "OMRA Proud to Announce Steve Curtis as Ambassador".
- ↑ "Contact OMRA - OMRA". omra.co.uk.
- ↑ "OMRA Model Power Boats C Class (Catamarans) Cowes IOW 2019" – via www.youtube.com.
- ↑ "I.C." www.stevenagemodelboatclub.org.uk.
- ↑ "OMRA Penzance 2019. E Class Model Power Boat Race and Trophy Presentation" – via www.youtube.com.
- THE INSIDE STORY: RC Powerboat Racing [*UltraHD and 4K*]. Retrieved 2020-01-03 – via YouTube.
- Offshore RC Powerboat RACING [*UltraHD and 4K*] (no music version). Retrieved 2020-01-03 – via YouTube.
- Guernsey Offshore Open Championship. Retrieved 2020-01-03 – via YouTube.
- "OMRA Model Power Boat Racing". Resort Dorset. Retrieved 2020-01-03.
- KD Racing X35 FULL-CARBON 12S ELECTRIC Off-Shore Racing CATAMARAN POWERBOAT (OMRA Reading). Retrieved 2020-01-03 – via YouTube.
External links[edit]
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