Formula-4s (F-4s) Powerboat World Championship

The Formula-4s Powerboat World Championship is an international inshore powerboat racing competition for powerboats organised by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), hence it often being referred to as F4s. “S” letter refers to abbreviation from 4-stroke, which means that 4-stroke boat engines are being used in this class.

This class was designed as an ecological alternative to UIMS750, UIMS550, UIM F4 и UIM F3 classes. Before getting World Championship status this class was called SL-60. First races was in Scandinavian in 2005. In a year 2009 this class was chosen as a base for ADAC Masters international series conducted in Germany. In year 2010 class was given current name F-4s and European Championship status. In year 2011 was launched promotional series F-4s conducted together with F1H2O events. In the year 2013 was organized first World Championship in Formula-4s class.

For the present moment class F-4s has most dynamic evolution in a powerboat races. Stages of championships are conducted in different counties, such as Hungary, Latvia, Finland, France, Great Brittan, Germany, Sweden, Italy. Besides World and European Championships, prestigious international series are conducted such as ADAC Masters, Germany and promotional F-4s series to support F1H2O. In a year 2014 number of pilots running international series had exceeded 50. And it is not able to count number of national series pilots. Also a large number of open international events are conducted in different counties such as USA, China, United Arabian Emirates, Baltic and Scandinavian and many other countries. It need to emphasize Promotional F-4s series, which was funded to create a reserve of young pilots and give them opportunity to learn circuits of F1H2O. Races are conducted together with Royal Races at same weekend. This popularity can be explained with a several reasons. One is a good safety. Boats of F-4s are equipped with safety cockpits taken from elder classes F1H2O and F2H2O. For the present moment there no fatality or serious injury among pilots of this class was recorded. Also it need to emphasize affordable price of enter to this class and low costs comparing to other Formula classes – F1, F2, F500. However performance rates of assembling and tuning-up are close to elder classes. Several weeks of serious job needed to be done by highly skilled mechanics. Normal this kind of work is done by shipyards or racing clubs with proper equipment. At last, one of main reason for many pilots to participate it this races is that this class is a shortest way to Royal Races. F-4s one of few classes which gives right to apply for super-license after having some experience (8 races according to UIM r ules). F-4s boats have same steering as an elder classes, corrected to speed. F-4s is a best practice for pilots. It was proved by tests of young pilots in F1 and F2 classes.

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