NAMBA April 2020 Web.pub

Submitted by District 19 Proposal #1: Modification of NAMBA rule B.2 in Section 13 ‐ Official Courses and rule D.2 in Section 18 – Heat Racing. Reasoning: The first part of this proposal is to clean up a rule that describes “milling buoy(s)”. We believe the current wording is left over from when NAMBA also had rules for sailboat racing where extra buoys were used for milling that weren’t part of the actual course. The proposed rule update will clarify exactly what different milling patterns are. The second part of this proposal is meant to clarify/add terminology that is already being used by most districts in the start procedure stating when drivers are “committed” which currently is not mentioned anywhere in the rules. It also adds that a lap penalty can be given for not following the designated milling pattern. Section 13 – part 1 of proposal: Current: B. TERMINOLOGY 2) The milling buoy may be a marker placed in any position. This buoy(s) will be used by boats to establish a definite mill pattern prior to the start of heat races and will be positioned to provide optimum milling on the water available and may be one or more of the course markers. Proposed: B. TERMINOLOGY 2) Mill patterns will be Quarter, Half, Full, or a combination of these (see diagrams below). Quarter Mill Half Mill Full Mill Section 18 – Part 2 of Proposal #1: Current: D. CLOCK TIME (MILL TIME) 2) Milling procedures during Pit Time and Clock Time: a. Boats on the course awaiting the expiration of Clock Time will adopt a milling pattern in a clockwise direction and around the milling buoys in a specified milling area to be set at the discretion of the contest officials. b. Boats must use the milling pattern and may not cross the Start/Finish line prior to the expiration of Clock Time unless the milling course includes the Start/Finish line. Traversing the course or infield is prohibited (unless as otherwise directed) and will be ruled a driver's infraction and a one lap penalty will be assessed. c. During the last five seconds of Clock Time, boats passing the buoy marking the end of the mill must steer a straight course and observe driver safety in selecting lanes. Zigzagging, "S" turns, or fishtailing to delay crossing the start line will draw a driver infraction with either a one lap penalty being assessed or possible disqualification. Proposed: D. CLOCK TIME (MILL TIME) 2) Milling procedures during Pit Time and Clock Time: a.Boats on the course awaiting the expiration of Clock Time will follow the mill pattern in a clockwise direction and around the course buoys in the specified milling pattern, to be set at the discretion of the contest officials (see Rule 13.B.2). Not following the mill pattern will draw a driver infraction with a one lap penalty being assessed. b. During the last five seconds of Clock Time (aka "committed"), all boats must adhere to the lane they are currently established in. They must maintain a straight course or established lane if in a turn. Zigzagging, "S" turns, or fishtailing to delay crossing the start line will draw a driver infraction with a one lap penalty being assessed. Boats will not cut thru the course (continue milling course) during the last 5 seconds to delay in jumping the start or a 1 lap penalty will be assessed. During mill time boats can be assessed a lane infraction for blatant lane violations as described in Rule 17.2.3, regardless of boat speed.