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Hi,

We are counting down to Round 8 of the NZMPBA Offshore Series being held here at Masterton on the 28th October 2018.

As usual we will be running the two half hour heats and the one hour final giving 2 hours of racing. The number of heats and finals will depend on entry numbers and the attrition rate during the day.

As per the NZMPBA Rules and our local club rules we will not allow boats on the water which are not fitted with the electronic fail safe system which immobilizes the coil. This will be tested as part of the scrutineering process. Sounds draconian, but our water is precious and we don't want to risk an incident which could cost us the use of our venue.

Our club thoughts are that we would like to see more boats on the water at any one time. This increases the excitement for both the drivers and spectators. With this in mind we will look at putting as full fields as possible onto the water.

As a matter of interest, our club introduced short offshore style racing into our club racing program. We run ten lap offshore but an alternative is to run, for example, 10 minute races. These short style races certainly rejuvenated interest. Did away with the boring scenario of one or two boats going around and around for 20 minutes or whatever.

We have left the 28th October as it always has been, but it is something that would be interesting to discuss with those of you who come to Masterton. Something needs to be done to try to halt the falling numbers of entrants at National events. Possibly a mixed program of longer and shorter style races? Food for thought.

If you have a cat, mono, hydro etc, bring it with you and if sufficient numbers, and time permits, we will run some open oval sprint races. These will not be part of the official offshore series but will give you an opportunity to run and race some of these boats.

See you at Masterton,