RACE ENGINES Europe
Official agents for the Yamato Motor Co., Ota, Japan
Kyotei Professional Stadium Racing - Japan
Yamato was established in 1951 in their former name of the Kokusai Kyouti Kougyo Co.
As the motor boat racing law was then introduced, they developed the first Japanese made racing motor based a Mercury design and have, ever since, been producing motor boats and engines mainly for the pari-mutuel motor boat races.
Yamato factory, Ota, Japan
The factory employs around110 full time staff
The races use a flying start. These full bore takeoffs are one of the features that make motorboat racing in Japan so exciting. A big clock marks the start of the race. The competitors make three 600 meter laps for a total of 1,800 meters in all racing arenas. Under the running start system, boats must have crossed into but not left the start zone in the second before the clock reaches zero. Boats that exit the start zone early are classified as 'flying', and boats that enter it late are classified as 'late'. In both cases all bets related to the disqualified boats are refunded.
Two minutes before the start the trumpets sound and the big clock lights up. The six racers rush out of the pits and vie for starting positions in the waiting zone. As the big clock clicks down the seconds to the start of the race, the racers watch it to time their running approach to the start zone - where they must be positioned exactly one second before the start time. As the race proceeds, the clock's three meter hands show the elapse time.
A giant TV screen also shows each decisive maneuver as they occur during the heat.
Number of laps per race: 3
• Distance per lap: 600 meters
Boat speed: Maximum speed about 80 km/h Boat identification: The 6 boats are identified by the colour of their drivers helmets and uniforms, and by their flags. Number of races per day: 11 or 12
• Number of stadiums: 26
Boat type: Hydroplanes and runabouts Racers: Racers are either ranked A or B based on the percentage of win/place finishes and accidents over the previous 6 months. Currently there are about 1,550 drivers registered, who travel to racing venues throughout the nation. Placing a bet: You buy a betting slip at the "Tokyojo" or betting window. The minimum bet is 500 Yen. The income generated by the racing increases each year. Of these revenues, 75% is paid out for winning bets. The remaining 25% goes to the local governments that operate the stadiums. It is applied to civil engineering, education, welfare and other programs of the local government.
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