Other items on that SORC agenda

[Trihedral_1]

here's a few quotes from the inspection book:

AStock inspection manual:
"2. The engine shall be operated with the production upper and lower motor covers
installed as originally supplied by the manufacturer. All knobs, grommets and
plugs shall remain in place or covered with tape."

DStock:
"2. The engine must retain it’s original factory color. Orginal cowling and pans,
cowlings and pans produced by Race Craft (Bob Trolian), and cowlings and pans
produced by Steve Harrington of Union, Michigan are legal. The engine must
display manufacturer’s decals. The cylinder block must retain the original factory
finish."

In CSH, it's called a factory sprayshield, with only modification for throttle priming.

I know the 305-R will go faster without the factory sprayshield. If it can mysteriously "fall off" with no penalty, half the boats at Lk. Lawrence will lose them during the race this year......

Jimi O (305-R)

[mercguy]

secure you lid!!!!!!

I haven't seen any comments concerning the "hazard" presented when a cowl comes off. To me, that ought to be the first item addressed, ie security of the freaking cowl. Or the OMC cowl. or the EXpensive Tohatsu cowl. OR anything else which has shown itself prone to fall off.

Look at the overkill regarding Grade 8 bolts on the A steering bar etc... obviously safety was a concern there.

Seems to me, the cowls, especially the ones we often see come loose, ought to be the subject of an 'acceptable modification' which allows them to be properly (ie adequately) held on. Obviously, a nice tape job isn't quite the ticket when a seconds count. So maybe some other arrangement would be preferred. But to launch a boat without the cowl ADEQUATELY fastened down seems a bit unsafe. Anybody agree with that? blammmo blammo whackk arrrrrrrrrrrrrrghh ooooffff Kablammm.... yeah I hear ya!!!

Adequately would mean (to me anyway) that the cowl wouldn't come off it it got dooshed by a rooster-tail. However, if the engine got smacked by another boat... that's a whole nuther matter.

Have a nice day
Alex

aften having my Tohatsu cover come off several times and having to buy a NEW one ($300+), I installed the "cowl-tees" Alex sells (same idea as the 44XS uses) and have never lost a cowl since!!!!!!!! I did notice and RPM increase with the cowl off, up until water started getting in the carbs......................KEEP YOUR HAT ON!!!!!!!!!

[Dave M]

Amen

Rules like this are part of the reason that I quit racing. While I don't personally feel the cowl is that great of a speed enhancement, my 10 year old got thrown out at a local JSR race because his fell off back in 88 and I have seen this rule enforced or not depending on who you are several times over the years. If the rule is on the books, you enforce it. If you don't want to enforce it for everyone, then you remove it from the book.

Bill Rosado

Bill,

Well said. It happens all the time, in every region. Most of us won't speak up about it because we fear what will happen if our voices are heard.

It seems there are plenty of rules to be enforced and interpreted, but who is writing rules to protect us from the interpreters of the rules ?

[modracer7b]

Dave

I know well the punishment that is given for speaking up. Many years ago, I was blackballed
out as a Region Director for voicing the same opinion I just gave. When people say to get involved in the process or don't complain, they forget to mention that get involved means kiss the a** of those in power at the time or still shut up. That is why I refused to do anything but go to races and race. I don't race anymore. so I don't have to worry about the bs.

Bill Rosado