Why we need rules?

Rules are written to have some kind of agreement to do same things in the same way. How to organise races, safety issues etc. are parts of rules in powerboating.

Now in UIM we have a lot of problem(s). UIM not follows own rules and how then UIM can demand it from others. Last GA was in Riccione against the UIM rules. New rules were adopted against the rules. Race organisers don't follow the rules. If you need examples, write uimpowerboater@hotmail.com. UIM is closing to chaos.

We have to ask all officials of UIM to sit down, check the situation, analyse, make decisions and follow the rules. Without this, we are destroying our organisation.

This is at this moment most important thing we have to do in U.I.M. and after that we can celebrate in Monaco 6.3.2010!

Is the class O-125 problematic?

Drivers of class O-125/F-125 are disappointed! Why?

Is something wrong with the class? Who wants' to kill the class? Why U.I.M. works against this class?

These are questions, drivers are asking.

O-125 was introduced 10 years ago as everyman O-class with very little restrictions. Only type of the hull (hydroplane type), number of cylinders (1), fuel (alcohol) and capacity of engine (max 128 ccm) were limitations.

Later were added more safe sideboards with Kevlar and minimum weight for boat with driver (170 kg). Last limitation was introduced, because drivers started to build very lightweight boats, they can't any more handle safely. Only very lightweight drivers were on the podium (see Colombi and Marsala) and others, slightly more heavy drivers, were out of the competition. Class even lost some great drivers for a while.

Now, in 2009 U.I.M. GA, were introduced two new rules.

First was introducing minimum weight for the boat without driver (100 kg). As opinion of most drivers in this class, it just gives advantage for lightweight drivers (about 65 kg). Others can't compete against them. In this class with smallest engines in U.I.M. rule book every kilogram is valuable. Now some drivers with average weight (75-85 kg) and even world and European champions are stopping racing in this class.

Another rule makes possible to use gasoline 4-stroke engines in class O-125 with capacity up to 250 ccm. No drivers are agreeing with arguments, that 4-stroke gasoline engines are more "green" than alcohol-engines. And if it gets even more worse, nobody can't explain to spectators, to media and to sponsors, that in class O-125 there are all drivers are using engines with capacity 248 ccm. It is then not any more class O-125.

Next confusing thing is World record case, where two drivers tried to broke speed record. Normally, if class has change in minimum weight or minimum weight was introduced for the class, old World record is frozed. It was the case for example in class OSY-400. Now Cominsport decided, that in class O-125 old record stays. Problem here is also with this, that this decision was made 9 months too late. Why Cominsport not informed record attempt organizers about such decision, even about record attempt was informed earlier to U.I.M. office? As it was said in GA in Riccione, we have to say o the drivers - Sorry! That's all!

We have to ask U.I.M. Council members to discuss with drivers of one of the most popular circuit class and find out how disappointed they really are. Then they can make better decision immediately, even asking U.I.M. members to vote again. 10 countries not agreed with rules at GA already - countries, which are involved in O-125 class racing.

Nominants for U.I.M. Hall of Fame

Waldemar Marszalek, POL
Giuseppe Rossi, ITA
Tiziano Trombetta, ITA
Attila Havas, HUN/AUT

Critics are not complaining

Critics are good! It helps to understand, what we are doing wrong and how to proceed to get better final result. And it is true in all occasion, whatever we are doing.

Unfortunately not all of us are thinking in the same way. Some of us are taking critics as complaining. But there is big difference. Critics are based on facts and complaining has something to do with psychology. Complaining is not always based on facts.

Another reason, why some of us are taking critics as complaining is, that if everything goes ok, then there is no need to say anything negative. If something is wrong and critics comes up, then listener (reader) is getting it as complaining as rule. After reading critics three times and checking facts, critics are not any more feel as complaining.

In U.I.M. many things are ok. Why to say it every day. I am happy with many-many small and big things. At the same time we have to make things better and better. We can't to accept confusing rules. We have to follow rules. And if something is wrong with that, then we have to change them even it is difficult.

Finally and again: critics are not complaining!