Grass Lake ASH Appeal to National Commissioner

[KURPS]

Rules?????

The rule as written allows a frontal area of 1/2" square. If you got hit by the frontal area it would really hurt, even at A stock speed.
I think a 90 degree or nearly 90 degree corner is not the intent of this rule. The rule states a 1/2" minimum radius which allows for a very large radius say 4,000 mile radius. That large radius would never match the rule drawing.
The rule makers seemed to drop the ball on this one.

[Moon child]

Rules and regulations are put in place for a reason I couldnt agree more however,

The issue that I have with this is, how many other boats should have been disqualified that week for the same infraction? Not only the same infraction, but many that were far more obvious. So does this show disqualification/leniancy based on convenience, or for those with there own adjenda? I would expect that everyones boat was inspected to the same consistent standard.

I find it hard to stomach that we only see this kind of scrutiny at the Nationals. If we want to make the call because it is life threatening why is it that this call is only made at the Nationals. I have yet to see a local race that has so many calls for lane changes, chops, bearing away, cowl grommets, sponson tips, disqualifications for not being on plane by the one minute gun and the list goes on. If we want the rules to stick and be adhered to they need to be clear and consistent all the time, everywhere. So i would guess that if the appeal overturns the decision we will see everyone else with violations sending letters in to APBA to surrender the points earned at the Nationals.

I cant take a stance on whether to overturn the call, the appeal, or the next appeal because the system is broken. If the call was consistent across the board we would have seen a lot more people either packing their trailer or setting up a sponson repair shop on site.

[ricochet112]

Snarky? Just curious...what does edification mean over in region 10?

Same as in region 6, to edify.

I wasn't spiritually enlightened by Ed's post.

[ricochet112]

You'll have to forgive Mike, Mark: he sometimes gets confused between "edification" and "Eddiefication."

R-19

^^^FTW!!!!

14H has never, ever made a peremptory or insolence post, ever...

[Bill Huson]

Interesting. The purpose of the radius rule was to increase the impact area. A blunt thing does less damage than a pointy thing. Squared off - "straight" - tips also increase impact area, and as B&H pointed out, they could be an arc segment of a very large radius circle.

I recall discussion of this many, many moons ago, so how long has the rule been in effect? If more than a month, or even a few days, no excuse. A few minutes with a Japanese pull saw and pointy thing be gone. A few more minutes and the shortened tip could be puttied up with fast set resin, and one chilly beer later ground round (60 grit, time to quit!).

All that said - when a safety issue is pointed out it should be fixed before the boat is allowed to compete again. But one would be hard pressed to prove pointy sponson tips were a speed advantage so the win should stand.

[D_Allen_III]

"14H has never, ever made a peremptory or insolence post, ever... "

Nor have you made a sarcastic one

[daveracerdsh]

Templete

You really don't need a templete to measure the sponson tip......all you need is an american quarter. Just put the quarter on the tip and it meets the requirements. 9US

[5-A]

Was the tip pointy or square?

[daveracerdsh]

tip

It was pointy. sorta like my head right now.

[Racerkyle20]

Template

You really don't need a templete to measure the sponson tip......all you need is an american quarter. Just put the quarter on the tip and it meets the requirements. 9US

There is a template. It was at the Grass Lake nationals and it was used. Brian Trolian (cheif inspector helper) at the direction the inspector was told at the after race inspection to go around with the template and measure all sponson tips. He did this to all boats in inspection (so top 5 places). 32-E did not comply. Hence the disqualification.

Also please read the inspection greeting put together by the inspection team at grass lake. All drivers were given this at registration. There's a few sentences in there that are relevant to this appeal.

As the one SO commissioner who voted to NOT reinstate the 32-E at Grass Lake I feel this appeal is warrented. And like Jean says in her appeal, The precident this ruling sets is a dangerous one. Meaning any racer from now on can appeal a "non speed advantage" safety rule knowing the SORC has, in the past, ruled against their own safety rules.

[Gunjumper]

Straight is staight, flat is flat, and level is level. Anything else... is not.

[Waterson Racing Team]

32-E did not comply. Hence the disqualification.

Also please read the inspection greeting put together by the inspection team at grass lake. All drivers were given this at registration. There's a few sentences in there that are relevant to this appeal.

We understand the inspectors reason for the disqualification. However, the boat was built, inspected and passed inspection....... in more than one season.
Thus it is clear why the disqualification was overturned.

As for the Inspection Greeting....Again,...the boat has passed the safety inspection in multiple season and after multiple wins. Why would the owner think to remeasure his sponsons if they had already repeatedly passed? The Inspection Greeting arguement holds no water in this instance.

How can we hold the 32-E accountable for a mistake made in the "system"? We are not going to fix the true problem by taking the win away from the 32-E. Let's fix the real issue.

[DiGia54D]

My opinion is a rule is a rule...But as for an appeal. Doesnt the driver ( Tony ) have to make the appeal? <---Im Just asking

[mike ross]

Just because it passed in other years has no bearing on the rule. We had the same thing happen on a technical rule. Flywheel passed one year. Next year it was thrown out. It weighed over the minumum. Better inspector caught it and we have now replaced it with a legal lighter one. Mikey

[Big Don]

My opinion is a rule is a rule...But as for an appeal. Doesnt the driver ( Tony ) have to make the appeal? <---Im Just asking

Section 14.4. Procedures:
a) Any member may appeal any action that, in the member’s opinion, violated an APBA rule or By Law by filing a written appeal with National
Headquarters, along with a $1000 filing fee.