Engine height

[Dr. Thunder]

So was the disqualification for an illegal boat or an illegal motor?

[Brian10s]

Rebutal to the Senator from OH . . .

Didn't want to get involved in this but . . .

One HUGE down side to Dana's idea is now you have to make the set longer and get rid of any mini-breaks in the middle. Otherwise, you have the winner of the first heat having to run through the pits & refuel to try and get out for the 2nd heat. Or you have everyone pitting next door to inspection. Also, does that mean I can run illegal the 1st heat but just can't win? My guess is that I can finish 1/2 a boat length back from the winner and collect my points and time. Does that mean most boat will lead the heat for 2 1/2 laps and then have "motor trouble" on the back stretch and the last turn?

Or do we inspect everybody every heat? That's the only "fair" way to do it. Just like Nationals. Height, weight, fuel (both the digittron and the new "chemical" test), seal the engines and send them away. That's a great way to prohibit cheaters but how many inspectors are we now going to need at each local race. 4 or 5 right?

This is why the rule is interperted like it is. Sometimes you win and other times you don't. If this happened to J. Micheal in the spring, it would not have been the event it has become. However, because of the way our points are tallied, end of the season points are gold.

Did he do anything wrong? From the sound of it, no. However, how many of you screwed up a set up SOMETIME in your career and not got caught the first heat. Put that old "testing" fuel in that might be too hot? Forgot to put that piece of lead in? Added 1 too many shim sticks? (I know, no one has ever done anything like that, ever???) My point is that because of the points involved, this is now a very big deal.

So it seems like this is a high points problem and not a height problem. Why aren't we talking about that? Why beat up the effect instead of changing the casue?
If you could take your top (not first) 12 (insert number of choice) races plus Nationals, Divisionals and North Americian Championships and those are your points, no matter what, then this is a non-issue. I'm sure J. Michael had 12 other races in and even with a "legal finish" in this heat would have gotten what over all finish (a first & a last could have given enough point for what???) maybe 4th overall. I'm sure using the above system (or one like it) he would have tossed the race away and moved on (not that he hasn't moved on but you get my point).

Even now that it has been decided, it is still out there and will happen again with the same results for those in a points chase.

Just my 2 (or in this case 5) cents worth,

Brian 10s

PS - And as some of you also who live in the "swing states" might agree, I can't wait until Tuesday. I am SO tired of the ads, the flyers, the phone calls and getting stopped outside every store to hear the "Vote for Me/Him/Her. And so, I seek refuge on Hydroracer from the horror on the outside. Please don't pollute this last oasis of sanity in a land gone mad with political babble.

"My name is Brian Williams and I approved this message"