New IRC Solent Series announced

by Peta Stuart-Hunt on 17 Nov 2005 The Solent Cruising and Racing Association (SCRA), in co-operation with seven of its member clubs, is organising a series of seven days’ racing for IRC boats between May and September 2006. The IRC Solent Series, as it will be known, is open to all boats with an IRC rating of between 0.840 and 1.350. The fleet will be split into 6 classes.

The introduction of an IRC Solent Series stems from the SCRA, belief, shared by the clubs, that there is a need for a limited number of events during the summer season in which IRC rated boats can be assured of a good turnout, with narrow class breaks leading to good, close racing within reasonably large fleets.

Today’s announcement follows lengthy consultation with the clubs involved and is a major step forward for handicap racing in the Solent. Wherever possible, existing events have been utilised in order to minimise the number of new regattas in an already overcrowded season. All the clubs involved have agreed that they will not organise competing events when other IRC Solent Series racing is taking place.

In the first year there will be no entry fee for the Series. The SCRA is actively seeking a title sponsor for the Series but will underwrite the costs as necessary. Competitors will enter and pay for each event with the individual club. An eligible boat that enters any one of the events will automatically be entered in the Series. Results will be posted on the SCRA website.

To avoid distortion of results, a boat that is scored ‘Did Not Compete’ (DNC) in a Series event will be scored 100 points. The individual events may consist of one race or several, with each full day of Solent Series racing having the same points weighting as each other.

The 2006 IRC Solent Series Programme:
Sat 20 May, Royal Southampton YC, Clarkson Cup incorporating IRC SS1
Sat 17 June, Royal Thames YC, IRC SS2
Sun 18 June, Royal Southern YC, IRC SS3
Sat 8 July, Royal Lymington YC, Christchurch Bay Regatta incl. IRC SS4
Sat 22 July, Royal Yacht Squadron, IRC SS 5 – pre-Cowes Week regatta
Sat 23 Sept, Island Sailing Club, Nab Tower Race incl. IRC SS6
Sun 24 Sept, Royal Corinthian YC, Tiny Mitchell Trophy IRC SS

Further details are available from Stuart Quarrie, Honorary Secretary, Solent Cruising & Racing Association. Email stuart.quarrie@skandiacowesweek.co.uk

Event website: http://www.scra.org.uk