J Class Rule Changes?

[Karl Dyle]

J Class Rule changes?

This is some "nice to know information", less than a month from the only race in 2013 in FL, ( The Orange Cup ) that the J Hydro set ups I have after a year of testing, finally gotten tuned up to running in the same zip code of some of our more well informed J class participants ( bet they already know about these " rule changes" ) I am back at square one Oh well I guess we will have to do LOTS of testing this month!, Really guys it could be worse. Hey Superman, Batman, Capt. America or whoever can you please confirm these new "Rules" for me? I might have to get some professional help down here to get these rigs running properly, what is George's # again?

[fhafer]

Karl,
I don't think the new rules take effect right away...we've got time for the stupidity to sink in before we have to modify the boats to fix a problem that doesn't exist...all in the name of "uniformity"

I wonder when the other SO classes are going to run their shaft at 1 3/4"?

Any guesses?

[ricochet112]

I've seen shim sticks duct tapped to the bow of a runabout to make it legal length.

How about duct tapping a tennis ball to the pickle tips?

[Matt Dagostino]

Apba

This is some "nice to know information", less than a month from the only race in 2013 in FL, ( The Orange Cup ) that the J Hydro set ups I have after a year of testing, finally gotten tuned up to running in the same zip code of some of our more well informed J class participants ( bet they already know about these " rule changes" ) I am back at square one Oh well I guess we will have to do LOTS of testing this month!, Really guys it could be worse. Hey Superman, Batman, Capt. America or whoever can you please confirm these new "Rules" for me? I might have to get some professional help down here to get these rigs running properly, what is George's # again?

Karl................you can call APBA just like any other member and seek out any rule changes made during a racing year. I imagine the main office will put you in touch with Chairman Tennell and he will review them with you.

If the rule changes don't appear on the APBA website soon along with the J Class minutes, the APBA office is only a phone call away. It may take a few days to compile the meeting minutes and get them to headquarters after the annual meeting but they will be made available.

The 'chatter' on Hydroracer is unofficial and usually put on there by folks who were at the meetings trying to simply spread the 'unofficial' word.

Hope to see you guys at Taber City!!!!

Matt

[fhafer]

P.S. Hutch06...I feel sorry for your lack of intelligence regarding this matter.

[Jack Stotts]

I modified the sponsons on my CMH (Giles) back a couple of years ago when Mod first adopted the radius standard even though, at the time , it was grandfathered. I used a couping saw and it took about 20 min per sponson to do everything that was needed. This does not include West System drying time. I realize that the CMH boat is larger than the Js and that helped but even at that, the sponsons were pretty narrow at the tips. I ended up having to take 3 1/4 inches off the length to get where the width was wide enough to swing a 1 inch radius (2in Dia). The thickness ended up being right at the 3/4 figure. Remember "if man built it, man can fix it). Jack

[Karl Dyle]

Rule Changes

Matt..... sorry for the hall of justice confusion. I checked the APBA website ( not much action over there) two old posts about a western J divisionals, last year, and AX joining up with A class?......NICE JOB GUYS! I did get the pleasure of meeting Chairman Tennell in Alabama last year, Even though he was no help technically ( does not actively participate or attend J Races) and I did even give him my card, and offer any and all assistance I could be used for. I inquired into the goings on of the annual meeting before the holidays to APBA commisioners and committee members, and was told " there was no pending changes for J", and not much for a new member such as myself to do or reason to attend the meeting. I would have gone if I had any idea I was gonna miss out on so many pertinent issues. I know everyone likes to complain, and do nothing to help, or effect a change. This is not the case here. A complete and total lack of communication on class rule changes, that " I should have known about, or been in Dallas if I wanted a say in " seems like a brush off to me. How about some members that actually attend races, and pay entry fees are sent out a e mail, flyer, phone call or whatever. They send out a digital propeller? they send out membership forms? It is on me to know all the intricate goings on of this organization? call who Linda? Sebrina? Mark?, I will be in Detroit week after next, I can take time to stop by headquarters like I have several times this past year, is it on Fred and every other ACTIVE J class entry fee paying member to do this also? If you want the official "rules" for five saturdays from now? its a long drive to Detroit, I better get going. KD

[fhafer]

"I realize that the CMH boat is larger than the Js" and just a couple of miles an hour faster.

Mr Stotts,
I'm not attacking you thoughtful input, but it doesn't answer the question "Why?'. I know we can chop the sponson tips back and Krazy glue some model airplane wooden blocks to the sponson...but why is this necessary on boats we time using a calendar and not a stop watch?

[csh2z]

Jack, The problem with many of these smaller boats is the thickness around the outside of the sponson. The radius is no big deal. This was just totally unexpected. Ther were two proposals on the original Stock agenda. One was to remove the rule completely, the other was to adopt the Mod/Pro diagram but use the stock dimensions. Either one would have been fine with most. During our discussion we heard that the J category adopted the Mod/Pro rule and rather discuss our proposals a motion was made to adopt the Mod/Pro rule in it's entirety for the sake of uniformity.

[racer3j]

"but why is this necessary on boats we time using a calendar and not a stop watch?"


Regardless of the speed, a blunt object (rounded pickles) will disperse the force through out the surface that is being impacted, opposed to a sharp object that will pierce the surface upon impact, which then increases chance of injury. Clearly if UIM has had this rule in affect for many years there is some science behind it.

[fhafer]

John,
You understand this problem completely.

Dylan,
You do not. Speed has EVERYTHING to do with impact damage with relation to cross-sectional dimensions.

[csh2z]

Fred,
I wrote the original Stock rule.

[PAUL PRICE]

Tennis balls & duct tape = problem solved

[fhafer]

For my fellow physics geeks; you can estimate the energy of a boat using this:

Energy = weight * velocity^2 / 450450

To determine the energy distribution you would divide the energy by the surface area. As surface area is increased (rounding pickleforks), the energy imparted is more widely distributed. BUT...speed (VELOCITY!) absolutely is a component of energy.

By imposing your "uniformity", you have done exactly the opposite with regards to damage impact.

The agreed upon "fix" is to glue break-away balsa blocks to the outside edge of the sponson in order to obtain the required thickness measurement. During a wreck, this solves NOTHING!!! Sheesh.

A solution looking for a problem to solve...nothing more, nothing less.

[fhafer]

"Tennis balls & duct tape = problem solved"

Paul,
Exactly! What the heck good will that do!? It will pass their inspection though. In the name of "uniformity", they want the same sponson tips for both JSHs and DSHs! And people can't see the absurdity of it!

Weight and speed determine energy folks.

Education will fix this problem...not balsa wood and Krazy glue or tennis balls and duct tape.