INTERNATIONAL
SOARING GRAND PRIX
 Gawler, South Australia
7th - 27th January, 2001

Details of competitors (Photos section), the Contest Reports and Results will be added to this site as they become available.

Local Regulations - Grand Prix.

Sporting Code Annex A rules plus the Local Regulations for the
1st World Championships - Club Class apply except for the following:

Overview

The Soaring Grand Prix is a glider racing competition which involves close racing in small groups around a pre-set task. A place scoring system provides rewards for excellence without unduly punishing a poor performance.

Entries

It is planned that entries will be restricted to three pilots per NAC. If there are fewer than 24 entries, additional entries from any NAC will be accepted.

Glider eligibility

• No handicaps apply
• A restricted range of competing gliders is allowed to ensure consistent performance of competitors.
• The types will include gliders with comparable performance to the Discus a/b, LS8, ASW20/20b, Ventus a/b/c LS6.
• Pilots must nominate the type of glider that they wish to fly on their entry form, the organisers will advise if the glider is acceptable.

Weight limits

• Gliders may use water ballast to a maximum wingloading of 43Kg/m2 (45Kg/m2 for standard class gliders).
• Glider weight will be checked daily to ensure the maximum weight is adhered to. This is applied to ensure minimum performance variation between different glider types.
• During registration/scrutineering, the glider must be presented at a weight corresponding to its maximum permitted wingloading (43/45Kg/m2).
• It is the responsibility of the pilot to prove the permitted weight/ wing area for their glider to achieve this wingloading.

Tasking

• Assigned Speed Tasks will be set on each competition day.
• The available turnpoint list will be the same as used by the club class gliders who are flying PST tasks.

Verification

• Verification will be by data logger.

Group rotation

• Gliders will compete in groups of 6-10. The actual group size will be determined by the total number of entries.
• Gliders are rotated between groups on each competition day so that each glider competes against every other glider at least once during the first 6 days.
• A group rotation roster will be published prior to the start of the first contest day.
• The contest director may allocate gliders to championship groups, based purely on points gained, after at least 6 competition days have been flown. This decision should ensure no more than 3 days being flown in the championship groups. The champion for the competition will be the pilot from the A championship group with the highest number of points at the end of the competition.
• The use of championship groups will enable the awarding of an A champion, B champion, etc. (depending on the number of groups).
• Total points gained on all competition and championship days will determine final placings.

Number of competition days

• The minimum number of days for declaration of a champion is 6 competition days.

Requirements for a competition day

• All gliders are provided with a launch which would enable them to make a valid start.
• All groups are able to make a valid start.
• The winner of each group achieves a minimum scoring distance of 60km.

Launching

• Gliders will be launched in group order on each day.

Starting

• A start point will be declared for each contest day. A different start point may be used for each group.
• The start is a 2km radius circle, centred on the start point.
• The gliders will start in their allocated groups.
• The first group will start 40 minutes after the last glider in that group has commenced launch. This time limit may be altered by the contest director to ensure equal opportunity for all gliders.
• The subsequent groups will commence 15 minutes after the preceding groups or 40 minutes after the last glider from their group has launched, whichever is the later.
• Start opening times will be announced on the allocated radio frequency, with a 20,10,5 and 2 minute warning.
• The data logger trace must show that the glider crosses the boundary of the start circle after the announcement of the start opening time for the group.
• All gliders will be credited with a start time equal to the announced start time for their group.

Turnpoints

• The turnpoint will be a 500m radius circle centred on the nominated point as shown in the turnpoint book.
• Each glider must pass through the turnpoint sector/circle. The data logger trace must show at least one point within the turnpoint circle.
• If the turnpoint is not achieved but the logger trace shows a point between 500m and 1000m, a two minute penalty will be added to the task time of the pilot.
• If the data logger trace does not show a point within 1000m of the turnpoint then the pilot will be deemed not to have made the turnpoint.

Finish

• The announced finish line will be used.
• A remote finish is not permitted.
• Finish times for each glider will be determined from the visual finish line. The data logger trace will be used if back up is required.

Radio Procedures

• Gaggle flying. A gaggle frequency will be allocated for each group. Pilots are required to monitor this frequency when in a gaggle with other gliders.
• Pilots in the Grand Prix may not communicate with competitors in the Club Class except for safety reasons.
• Leading or helping of Club Class competitors will result in the loss of all points for the day for the Grand Prix glider.

Safety

• When approaching the finish line, if overtaking another glider this must be done to the side of the other glider, not overlapping above or below.
• Pilots are encouraged to give a radio call when overtaking.

Sailplanes and Equipment

• ELT/ELB Pilots in the Grand Prix are not required to carry Emergency Locater Transmitters/Beacons.

Penalties

• Annex A penalties will not apply due to the different scoring and tasking requirements of this competition.
• Any misdemeanor will incur a penalty of time (to be determined by the Competition Director) or through removal of all points for the day.

Scoring

• A place scoring system will be used.
• All gliders who achieve the minimum scoring distance of 60 km will receive one point.
• One point is awarded for each pilot they beat or draw with.
• One bonus point is awarded to the pilot who places second.
• Three bonus points are awarded to the pilot who places first.
• In the case of a draw, bonus points will be shared. Points will be awarded to the nearest half point.
• If groups are of uneven size scores will be adjusted so that the winner of each group achieves the same score.

eg. Points awarded for different group sizes

Total scores In the case of a draw, places will be determined by counting back the relative placings when the pilots who are drawn competed against one another. If still a draw there will be a countback on the total number of first places achieved, then the number of seconds, thirds, etc.

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