what-if....we cannot read white numbers on a black background? what-if....a harness thats more than 2 years old breaks? what-if....a dry powder fire extinguisher compacts what-if.....a weld cracks what-if....a plastic tyre valve cap is fitted what-if....we put our engine manufacturer on our number plate what-if....we can see our fuel filler neck what-if....we put higher hip rail in a car what-if....we put an extra fuel tap in so we can check fuel quality what-if....we dont allow 8 year olds to have a class to race (but go-karts and motorcross etc do) what-if....we have 2 forward lights instead of one what-if...we slow down reconaissance to 80kph what-if....we keep changing our national TV coverage what-if....our socks are not fireproof what-if....we make mufflers compulsory what-if....we make everone travel uneccessarily for a ridiculous bi-annual inspection that a normal scrutineer could do
please feel free to add all the other stupid rules that make me crankier the more that I think of!
What if... we for once said thankyou to the volunteers that work tirelessly in their own time on these panels and do their best and put up with many insults, to make it possible for everyone to race.
People aren't always going to agree on rules, regulations and changes, but a lot of them are there for the crews safety and for the safety of people around.
I am not trying to cause arguments or having a go at any individuals, but I just for once would like someone to say thank you or some something good about people who work their ringer off behind the scenes to sit back and read everyone having a go at them. If people want to change all the things they dont like, jump onto a state panel and move your way up instead of having a go on the forums.
Once again I am not having a go at anyone Individually, just a general note.
Also been there done that i am sorry but i would like to know that smart racers within our sport have some input into rules that we are expected to follow( side impact ) we would have been far better to improve nerf bars .a better idea and a lot easer to implement.( panel off inspections) supply us with all the info not just some of it ( just my opinion also not to upset anyone)
what-if....we cannot read white numbers on a black background? You whinge what-if....a harness thats more than 2 years old breaks? You die what-if....a dry powder fire extinguisher compacts? You die, or the competitor in front dies what-if.....a weld cracks? you die what-if....a plastic tyre valve cap is fitted?/ you get a flat what-if....we put our engine manufacturer on our number plate?. No-one cares what-if....we can see our fuel filler neck?. you burn to death what-if....we put higher hip rail in a car?. You dont die what-if....we put an extra fuel tap in so we can check fuel quality what-if....we dont allow 8 year olds to have a class to race (but go-karts and motorcross etc do)?--dont have to buy the kids a trophy cart what-if....we have 2 forward lights instead of one? your car is now symetrical what-if...we slow down reconaissance to 80kph? you dont need recovery what-if....we keep changing our national TV coverage?/ if your not paying for it - dont whinge what-if....our socks are not fireproof?/ your feet get burnt what-if....we make mufflers compulsory?/ farmers are happy what-if....we make everone travel uneccessarily for a ridiculous bi-annual inspection that a normal scrutineer could do?/ you can now continue to race your old , well maintained car.
please feel free to add all the other stupid rules that make me crankier the more that I think of!
croweater you seem to have all the answers can you tell us all why do we have to use metal valve caps and why it makes any sense on if you can see the filler neck of your fuel tank or not these rules were in place long before aorcom so we can't blame them can we
What if... we for once said thankyou to the volunteers that work tirelessly in their own time on these panels and do their best and put up with many insults, to make it possible for everyone to race.
I appreciate everything everyone has done in the 25 years that I have been involved in off-road (and the time my father was involved in the 70's).
So thankyou to the previous and current reps.....I could not have had so much fun and met as many great people as I have otherwise!
What my issue is---If our discipline does have problems, then why do have have suggestions as mediocre as putting in a tap for fuel testing? Why do we need external inspections that can be performed easily by current methods?
Maybe instead of 'inventing' new issues, we could just get-on with racing, and maybe spend some time looking into reducing insurance premiums to allow cheaper entry fees! Or maybe reducing our costs by cutting the wages of CAMS executives that just seem to be using it as a stepping stone for other corporate jobs?
Why can I race a motorbike, with CHEAP entries/licence, when just about every weekend a bike racer dies? (off-road does not have that problem)
Why could I build a speedway car with gal waterpipe, get PAID to race, and (as in past cases) be known to kill/injure spectators? (off-road does not have that problem)
Why can I let my kids race a go kart, or motorcross bike, or even sail solo around the world, (no roll cage or harness), but not let them be involved in off-road?
croweater you seem to have all the answers can you tell us all why do we have to use metal valve caps and why it makes any sense on if you can see the filler neck of your fuel tank or not these rules were in place long before aorcom so we can't blame them can we
Why blame anyone, just because you dont know and I dont know doesnt mean there isnt a justifiable reason. Dont like it, go thru the proper channels and try and change it!!
OK guys, I can help you out with the metal valve cap reason,
When you are all sitting quietly, I will begin ...............................................
?...........................
Well, it was back in days gone by; exactly when, I wouldn't have a clue. But as the story goes, it has to do with faster cars than the ones you generally see on the tracks that we race on, although the speeds are creeping up, so perhaps it is more relevant today than it has been in the past.
It has to do with air pressure and a thing called sen..sin...cin...centrifical force. As it has happens, when a car or bike or even a tractor, (no wait, not a tractor) anyway at high speeds and with the centrifical force created it can create enough force to open the tyre valve. At this point the air inside can blow off those cheap inferior plastic valve caps and escape to freedom. At the same time, the same nasty force is also creating the illusion that the tyre is still inflated as normal. No big problem really, until you reach the end of that high speed straight and attempt the last second breaking opportunity that will obviously be the difference between winning a sheep station and being first of the losers. This is where the trouble starts and the deflated tyre/tyres lets you know that you can't rely on it to stop you before the trees or even to stop the rim digging into the ground on that gentle, but still fairly fast bend. Its now that most drivers are saying WTF.
So for the relatively low cost of around $2 for the flash ones all this can be avoided. Now I know this expense is is hard to justify after having to pay for such things as seat belts fire extinguishers driving suits and other non important stuff, the good thing about these items is that for those with a keen eye, you can still pick a set up for free if you spend a bit of time at you local car park.
Disclaimer...
This story was not meant to offend anyone. If I have...Get a life.
-- Edited by Bajas Rule on Saturday 25th of September 2010 11:18:09 AM
-- Edited by Bajas Rule on Saturday 25th of September 2010 11:23:32 AM
-- Edited by Bajas Rule on Saturday 25th of September 2010 10:10:29 PM
Warren thank you i knew a smart person would know Allthough i had a set of swish alloy ones once but they went missing at dondingalong. I thought i seen them on some push bikes a couple of indiginious kids were riding they would'nt bother with plastic ones would they ?
