OXFORD CITY BUMPING RACES

for the

Bumping Races Challenge Cup

Winners

Millennium Races

Saturday 8th April 2000

Introduction

Bumping races consist of a set of consecutive processional races (usually four) in which the object is to ‘bump’ (i.e. catch up with or overtake) the boat in front and by doing so, exchange places in the starting order. The aim is to finish as high in the order as possible at the end of the set of races, and so secure a better starting position for the following year. A successful crew is one which rises four or more places in the starting order (i.e. at least one for each race) and is entitled to a trophy - usually an oar painted with the crew’s names and the names of the boats they overtook.  A crew which is consistently successful from year to year will rise up the starting order until it reaches the top, when it is awarded the title ‘Head of the River’.  (See also Tim Granger's and  Steve Travis' descriptions of bumping races.)

Oxford City Bumping Races are raced in coxed fours on the Isis over the same course as the Oxford University RCs bumping races. Racing will be under A.R.A. Rules of Racing, subject to local rules which will be published at http://users.ox.ac.uk/~azzopard/bumps.html. Boats are grouped into divisions of 17, with each division racing four times at two-hourly intervals in one day. Within each division, all boats are staked 80' apart in starting order along the river bank stretching from Donnington Bridge to ths Isis Tavern (see map of the course). The start is signalled by a sequence of cannon shots (5 minute warning, 1 minute warning and start). The strategy is to sprint off the start (to avoid being bumped by the boat behind) and keep going until either the crew in front has been bumped or until the finishing post is reached (‘rowing over’). As soon as bump occurs, the bumping crew drops out of the race while the bumped crew continues ('Torpids' rules). The two crews then exchange start positions in the next race. Every crew entered is guaranteed at least four races, though boats at the top of one division also race at the bottom of the next higher division to allow progression up the start order and will therefore race more than four times.

Given the distance involved (1500-1800m, depending on starting position) bumping races the ideal way to prepare for the transition from long distance head racing to regatta racing. It is also extremely exciting!

For the Millennium Races, entrants will be ranked according to status and their order within a status determined by a draw (i.e. all Elite crews in drawn order, followed by all S1 crews in drawn order etc). Next year, and in subsequent years, the starting order will be determined by the finishing order of the previous year. This will give the club at the Head of the River the opportunity to defend its title. Separate Men’s and Women’s competitions will be held, and the winners will be awarded commemorative medals and have their names added to the plinth of the Bumping Races Challenge Cup.

Clubs or crews wishing to enter are advised to notify the Secretary of their intentions well in advance of the event as it is likely to be oversubscribed.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Paul Azzopardi (azzopard@ermine.ox.ac.uk).