IRM plans calendar of events for 2003

Recognising the need to build on a successful 2002 season which peaked with excellent grand prix racing at the IRM National Championships in early June and at Ford Cork Week in July, the IRM Class Association are forging ahead with plans to provide an interesting calendar of events which will offer at least eight months of regular racing for what is now well established as Europe's only real grand prix handicap rule.

IRM continues to provide a well developed, transparent measurement system of rating top tier grand prix race boats, encouraging outright speed, light weight, stability and fixed crew weights. The UK based class association now has nearly 35 members, who recently pledged their support for a strengthened circuit plus several key regattas next summer.

The class association are seeking to maintain the momentum built up by this year's successful regatta and are therefore seeking a Solent based club to host and run the Nationals over the Whitsun May bank holiday weekend, 24-26th May.

In addition, if it is endorsed by the membership, the class will make a formal request to RORC that they adopt the same policy as was successfully used at Ford Cork Week, to create a separate, IRM High Performance class at the IR 2000 Championships which take place over the weekend 6th-8th June. As with Cork entry to this class would be mandatory for boats bound by a set of measurement/performance criteria.

A major new event, following a poll of members, is set to be established following RORC's Cowes to Dinard offshore race. A three day inshore IRM Regatta Weekend will be run by the Yacht Club of Dinard, with the prospect of introducing fixed level rating bands.

Later in the summer it is planned to participate as a class at the Torbay Admiral's Cup (25th-27th August). This popular three day regatta mirrors the 'traditional' Admiral's Cup format with three boat teams formed by individuals or clubs, running in addition to the usual individual regatta.

The three boat team format, suggested by the membership as a stimulating addition to the calendar, will also be utilised for an Inshore IRM Team Championship on the Solent in September. This will be based on boats from each of 3 rating bands.

The IRM Class Association are also entering further discussions with the organisers of Skandia Life Cowes Week and the Round the Island Race to run separate IRM classes at both key events next year.

Once more the early and late season racing under IRM will be provided at the Hamble Winter Series and at the Warsash Spring Series. Both of these series will accommodate Spring and Autumn Championships over two day weekends of racing.

"We have listened to what out growing membership want. More than ever they want to be racing like-for-like against similar styles of grand prix race boats, and they see IRM as the only serious route to achieving good, equable racing. We have broadened the scope and the choice of venues for next year on the promise of solid support from the members and their boats." Explains the IRM Class Association's Chairperson Steph Merry. " Overall we feel this full programme will provide a full season of competition and entertainment for owners of IRM style boats and are confident that this level of activity will encourage more owners to invest in IRM boats and join the fun."

In addition, if this is endorsed by the membership, the class are making a formal request to RORC that they adopt the same policy as was successfully used at Ford Cork Week, to create a separate, IRM High Performance class at the IR 2000 Championships which take place over the weekend 6th-8th June. As with Cork entry to this class would be mandatory for boats bound by a set of measurement/performance criteria.

A major new event, following a poll of members, is set to be established following RORC's Cowes to Dinard offshore race. A three day inshore IRM Regatta Weekend will be run by the Yacht Club of Dinard, with the prospect of introducing fixed level rating bands.

Later in the summer it is planned to participate as a class at the Torbay Admiral's Cup (25th-27th August). This popular three day regatta mirrors the 'traditional' Admiral's Cup format with three boat teams formed by individuals or clubs, running in addition to the usual individual regatta.

The three boat team format, suggested by the membership as a stimulating addition to the calendar, will also be utilised for an Inshore IRM Team Championship on the Solent in September. This will be based on boats from each of 3 rating bands.

The IRM Class Association are also entering further discussions with the organisers of Skandia Life Cowes Week and the Round the Island Race to run separate IRM classes at both key events next year.

Once more the early and late season racing under IRM will be provided at the Hamble Winter Series and at the Warsash Spring Series. Both of these series will accommodate Spring and Winter Autumn Championships over two consecutive two day weekends of racing.

"We have listened to what out growing membership want. More than ever they want to be racing like-for-like against similar styles of grand prix race boats, and they see IRM as the only serious route to achieving good, equable racing. We have broadened the scope and the choice of venues for next year on the promise of solid support from the members and their boats." Explains the IRM Class Association's Chairperson Steph Merry. " Overall we feel this full programme will provide a full season of competition and entertainment for owners of IRM style boats and are confident that this level of activity will encourage more owners to invest in IRM boats and join the fun."

The class has seen continued growth at both ends of the size and performance spectrum with the most recent owners to sign up for membership including Farr International's Peter Morton, owner of the 50 footer Mandrake and Kit Hobday co-owner of the Farr 52 Bear of Britain.

Further details on the IRM Class Association from Steph Merry on e-mail: SLMerry@qinetic.com or mobile 07747 03717