Hi all, I don't know if anyone on here is interested. many may even be unaware, but there's a thing called 152VO. Scale 1:5.2 scale models of vintage outboard motor-powered kneeler hydros. It's been around since 2011 as far as I can make out. It is superbly organised with the ultimate point of competition of a friendly kind. VERY popular in Germany and The Netherlands.
There are a few kits now available, loads of plans of real boats and a lot of very nice fittings and accesories. There a few outboard motors available which can be fitted with brushless motors if you prefer.
The models have to fit a certain mathematical formula, to give choices, but remain reasonably well matched to make for driver skill being more important than money-ruled boats. Kind of the opposite of F1.
If you need any help with imagining these things, here's a pic. of a MODEL pits. Right down to the floating moorings.
I would SO like to see this take off in Britain.
Here's their website. Iffy translation, OK, but pretty much understandable if you don't speak German or Dutch.
https://152vo.de/
Cheers,
Martin