Air Design by 'Sarah Gill

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“The hovercraft was built by Christopher Cockerell in the year 1956”

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This sport is supposed to be non-contact, but with no brakes or seat belts with speeds that are too much for some people to handle, there is always the risk of accidents.The thrill of this sport appeals to many, both male and female. However since 2010 it is in fact male drivers that has decreased this is likely due to the overall perception of motorsport changing; such as there now being female F1 and NASCAR drivers. A selection of craft were surveyed with craft of all formulas being included. Even though the craft are used in different formulas the average cost (not including engine(s)) is between ÂŁ1000-3000, therefore the cost of different formula craft is dependent on the engines used; although this can vary due to the wide range of engines in use inside each formula. Within each formula there are people who spend above the average to develop craft; some of these people expect their craft to last longer or win races, although it has been proven that spending more does not necessarily get either of these.

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The Club is a mish-mash of many and varied skills, all put to good use to race or cruise hovercraft for the sheer joy of its difference. The transition from land to water at speed cannot be matched for a motorised thrill. Driving a craft with little steering and no brakes is something else. Over seas, rivers, lakes, swamps, grass, mud, ice, and snow – only the hovercraft can rightly claim to be an all terrain vehicle. If real speed is what you are after, racing at anything up to 80 mph will satisfy most. In a craft that is not sure whether it wants to fly or plough into the ground takes a great deal of skill to handle!

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Many of today’s national and international champions started by racing in Formula Junior, which is for youngsters, aged 11 – 16. As the Junior „craft used are the same as in other formulas, those over 16 can race the same craft in F3, Novices and Open Races, (though not in F1 races, which is restricted to experienced drivers from the lower formulae). Great for parents, schools and youth groups especially as the abilities developed by racing hovercraft such as design, construction, mechanics and teamwork are skills that last a lifetime, and so will some of the memories and friendships.

A European Hovercraft Racing Championship Series is held each year, with rounds in various countries including Britain. Every other year a World Hovercraft Championship takes place somewhere in the world! These events bring together International hovercraft racers, designers, mechanics and their families from many nations. There is also the opportunity to take part in International Cruising events including, for example, exploring French rivers. Cruising events are less competitive and allow drivers to explore areas such as coastal mud flats and stretches of river which often can only be traversed in a hovercraft.

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The Hovercraft Club of Great Britain is the UK National Club for anyone interested in the development of light Hovercraft for recreational purposes. The Club is a founder member of the European Hovercraft Federation. The Club was formed in 1966 by a group of enthusiasts from the Isle of Wight, the home of the first SRN1 Hovercraft

544 members are currently part of the Hovercraft Club of Great Britain (HCGB) 6 AD Air Design

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A hovercraft is simply a vehicle which floats above the surface on a cushion of air supplied by a fan. The air cushion is kept from escaping from under the hovercraft by the "skirt". The skirt is attached to the outer edge of the hovercraft and is usually made from a thin plastic coated fabric. The air cushion makes the hovercraft essentially frictionless - it's just like driving a car on ice! Because they float above the surface, hovercraft are pushed along by blowing air backwards using a fan or a propeller. They need very little power as the air cushion has removed any friction. Steering is achieved using rudders mounted in the airflow from the fan or propeller. There are many different designs of hovercraft but they all work in the same basic way. Some have a single fan and engine which supply both cushion and thrust air, Others have a separate lift fan and thrust fan or propeller and one or two engines. 8

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Many members build their own craft which are then used for racing or cruising. Over the past 40 years the technical expertise within the Club has grown immeasurably and is available to all members in a range of specialised publications or on a more personal level through the members who are always willing to advise and assist.

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Hovercraft racing is a truly breathtaking sport. It's fast and exciting both to participate in and to watch! The HCGB organise a national racing championship, contested over six to eight racing meetings around the country each year. Click Here to see a map of the locations used for racing. These meetings are usually held over a weekend or bank holiday weekend and take place in a wide variety of locations on courses made up of both land and water sections. A typical day at a race meeting will start with a "Driver's Briefing" where the race director will explain the details of the day's racing, any relevant information about the course or matters that have arisen during the previous day's racing. After the briefing and when the Race Director is satisfied that everything is in place, the formulae are called forward for practice. Click Here for a typical day at the races. There will be a break after practice where it is usual for members of the public to be allowed into the paddock area to view the craft and talk to the drivers. Lunch break over and the racing starts in earnest. Again it is split in to Formulae although it's not unusual to group some together. After the first block of racing there will be another break and again it is usual for members of the public to come into the paddock and see the craft. The second block of races follows the same format as the first.

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Hovercraft racing is a form of motorsport that is in its infancy; unlike sports such as motorcross and forms of car racing there are no large corporate sponsors. This creates the situation that most craft are privately sponsored by the drivers and/or their families; this helps to keep hovercraft racing as one of the cheapest motorsports that is easily accessible to the masses.

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The races are divided into formulas as to which the engine capacity fits F1 unlimited capacity F2 750cc 4stroke or 600cc 2stroke F3 500cc 4stroke or 250cc 2stroke

F35 up to 35bhp (industrial 4stroke) F50 500cc 50bhp 2stroke (air cooled) FJ age 11-16 F3, F35 or F50

Even though the number of drivers has dropped considerably, the number of craft has not; this shows that less people are sharing craft Craft hull type: 15.4% Venom 5.5% Raptor 3.3% Panther 5.5% Moto

2.2% Razor 3.3% Predator 5.5% Raider 41.8% Other

11.0% BBV 2.2% Evo 4.4% Eagle

63.3% of craft cost between ÂŁ1000-3000 50% of craft costs between ÂŁ50-100 to run per weekend 56.7% of people spend between 0-5 hours maintaining their craft 73.3% of the drivers have been racing longer than five years 63.2% of the drivers prefer the performance of their craft than price or appearance 43.3% of drivers crafts are influenced by other family members 46.7% say that their crafts life expectancy is between 2-3 years 46.7% of craft are shared 47.4% of craft are sold on 6.7% of craft are eco friendly

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The Hovercraft Club has many groups to ensure good competition and safety. The Competitions Committee with its racing Scrutineers ensure safe, varied racecourse and craft up to the rigours of this arduous sport. The Recreation Committee seeks varied sites round the country to use hovercraft for recreation. Its scrutineers ensure hovercraft are well designed constructed and safe for use all conditions. Its supervisors administer a cruising driver’s voluntary pilot qualification scheme, and a pilot’s licence includes a full log of hours and conditions – a record for future use to remind the driver of all the places explored over the years.

There are no engines designed specifically for hovercraft. Three cylinder Polaris snowmobile engines are popular for the very fast Formula 1 hovercraft. Various Rotax two-stroke engines as used in Microlight‟s are also popular along with engines taken from damaged motor cycles. At the slower end there are some 25/35 bhp four-stroke industrial engines from Honda, Briggs and Stratton and Kohler that are popular for cruising craft. Small car engines can also be used. These are much quieter and therefore more environmentally friendly. Fans, pulleys and belts are standard components, though they are also produced of lighter materials by hovercraft specialist manufacturers.

One of the largest areas and maybe one of the most exciting is marshalling. It enables an individual to get right into the thick of the action at a race meeting, even on the racecourse itself. Marshals are required to give advance warning to the racing drivers of dangers ahead. Some are also needed to keep the track clear of any broken down craft. Training includes flag & radio communication as well as first aid and fire extinguishing. Not only do we need the marshals so everyone can have a safe and exciting race but drivers do like to know the results, this is where the team of lap-scorers come into their own - they keep an eye on the race order and quickly pin up the results for all to see. AD Air Design

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363 male / 181 female In 2010 there were 131 drivers which has decreased to 116 drivers in 2013 2010 105 male / 26 female 2013 88 male / 28 female

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Hovercraft cruising is a unique activity that combines the relaxation of motor cruising with the excitement of a fast sports boat - without the navigation problems or launch hassle of either! It's also the most environmentally friendly motorised water sport available! A cruising hovercraft is a two to five seat amphibious recreational water craft. Unlike other watercraft, it â&#x20AC;&#x153;glidesâ&#x20AC;? over the water surface on a cushion of air rather than being in the water. It is unlike any other craft and its capabilities, limitations and low environmental impact are little understood. Racing hovercraft are a different design to cruising hovercraft in terms of noise, speed and marine safety - they are unsuitable for cruising use. Cruising craft are based on sound marine engineering and provide economic, quiet and comfortable leisure use.

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