How do you measure ASH height now?

[jpro60]

The last copy of the Annual Metting minutes I saw noted a change in where height on an ASH was measured from. It said something along the lines of "The aft of the gear housing, or the prop shaft, whichever is higher". I was just wondering where the measurment on the gear housing is supposed to be taken from. Is it supposed to be from the top, or bottom, or the middle of the prop shaft. If anyone has the answer let me know
Thanks,
Mike Perman 32-R

[Steve Wilde]

ASH height

The 1-3/8 height will be measured at the center line of the prop shaft at the aft end (as it is now) and at the center line of the prop shaft where it enters the gearcase. The split line of the gearcase at the aft end will define the center line of the shaft. Obviously the measurements may differ, but they both must meet the rule. The popular "pointed rod" height checker should work well for both checks. Set ups that now use modest tuck-under will be effected only slightly, those using 'extreme tuck' willl be effected a bit more. Whether or not this rule slows the trend towards extreme tuck set-ups remains to be seen.
Note that this paragraph is from my memory of the meeting, be sure to check the new rule when it is published.

[DeanFHobart]

Prop Shaft Height...

Steve,

I sure am glad I don't have to worry about this any more!!!!!!!!!!
(18-1/2" KG4 set-ups)!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dean Hobart

[jpro60]

Why did they make this rule?

I was just wondering if anyone knows why they made this new rule. What exactly was the "problem" they are trying to fix. My other point would be that to make matters worse, if you run ANY tuck under at all you will be affected by this rule, and slowed down. I just want to know why our governing body is making rules to STOP the progression of a motorsport. As far as I ever knew, part of what makes motorsports great is the pursuit of higher speeds and faster time. (why do we have a record book if this isn't the case) I do understand that in other forms of motorsport i.e. Nascar, F-1, etc. measures are being taken to slow them down. BUT I doubt that measures are being taken to slow down 15 (a mere fifteen) horsepower go-karts, so why are the A's being slowed down. To me this whole rule seems nothing more than a few peoples idea of a PERCIEVED problem, and the unfortunate outcome of our great sport being REgressed. If anyone would like to shed some light on this issue for me I would be more than happy to hear it, otherwise that is my stance.
Mike Perman 32-R

[14-H]

Why???

The rule change was passed because for 15 years the SORC has declared that it is a safety necessity for ASH's to have their propeller shaft an inch and three-eighths below the bottom of the boat. The rule was defined to measure this height only at the rear end of the prop shaft as a matter of convenience. As good racers do, many figured out how to get around this height restriction by running a huge tuck under and building boats that had gigantic amounts of lift in order to counter-act the huge tuck under forcing the nose of the boat down. The result: much faster speeds but, in the words of Bob Wartinger, APBA's Safety Committee chairman, this narrows the window of safe operation. Bottom line: racers figured out how to get around the height restriction (a safety rule) due to the definition of how to measure it. Thus, the definition of how to measure it was changed.

BTW: all of the above is the opinion of Ed Hearn and not necessarily of any other member of the SORC.

[michael51m]

To Here The Rest Of The Story Go To The National Meeting And You Can Get All The Info Needed.

[Andrew 4CE]

whoa, this is weird... so it's the rule now? This will really alter some peoples setups.

Sounds like marketing to get everyone to buy a new height checker and props.... LOL.

[dholt]

Is it possible???

Is there anyway you can possibly be kicked in and not be above the 1 3/8" measurement if the measurement is taken at the split line of the gearcase at the aft end of the case?

It's impossible. The only way to be at 1 3/8" at that point and be 1 3/8" at the end of the prop shaft is to be parallel.

Will the new measurement at the aft end of the gearcase be less than 1 3/8"?

If so, what will it be?


D.

[Andrew 4CE]

I'd think they would take whichever is the higer point. If you are kicked in at all you have to measure from the gear case. If you are kicked out (does anyone do this?) you will have to measure from the prop shaft.

As far as I can tell everyone will have to measure from the gear case. and have it 1-3/8" below. Thus altering everyones setup.

Sound correct?

[jpro60]

Thanks for the clarification.

Ed, Thank you for your clarification of the decision. Though I do not agree with the decision, I can see where it was coming from. My one question is this, why has there been a "safety" issue in regards to the height on the 15hp 50mph A stock boats, and not the 30+hp 70mph C stock boats. I'm just not sure I understand why the C's are able to run jacked up to the moon, and the A's aren't, and why this is more of a safety issue in the smaller slower boats?

[Joe J]

Ed, Thank you for your clarification of the decision. Though I do not agree with the decision, I can see where it was coming from. My one question is this, why has there been a "safety" issue in regards to the height on the 15hp 50mph A stock boats, and not the 30+hp 70mph C stock boats. I'm just not sure I understand why the C's are able to run jacked up to the moon, and the A's aren't, and why this is more of a safety issue in the smaller slower boats?

Mike, C hydro has a height limit as well, it is 1/2 " below the bottom. Granted that's a long way from 1 3/8", but it' still there.

Joe

[jpro60]

I know C has a height

Joe, I understand that C does have a height, I was just trying to make the point that this rule doesnt make sense when you look at it in the context that the bigger, faster C boats are only at 1/2". (which much higher than 1/2" and you start to run into overheating problems)

[Dan Koschka]

ash height rule

Im not quite sure why they changed it but supposably too many a stocks were crashing which if you ask me is a bunch of bull. So I guess in an atempt to slow down the a stocks they changed the height to almost the K pro height. It seems as if someone complained about this in attempt to slow down more of the advantaged boats so that they might stand a better chance. Doesnt make much sense but thats just the way it is.

-Dan Koschka 41H

[ryan_4z]

The reason this was done was in no way to take the advantage away from some people. This setup is dangerous. There are experienced veterans who will not run this setup because it scares them. That tells me that something needs to be done.

[jpro60]

I see no difference

Hi, I just wanted to let you guys know, that in my opinion (having driven boats with both "extreme tuck" and without) that I actually prefer the tuck, and feel more comfortable with it. I don't know if thats just because its what I've learned unlike the "veterans", or just that I know how to drive my raceboat faster and with less fear than them, either way, were there ANY real "A" stock racers on the SORC? I know just from speaking to fellow ASH racers in region 10 (all of us happen to be under 30) that NO ONE from region 10 was in support of this, we all like our setups how they are.
My second point would be this, this rule actually CREATES more safety risk than it rids. Speaking in terms of most of the people I race against (my self included) most of us have boats built to run with the extreme tuck setup. This in laymens terms would mean that we all have boats designed with a lot of lift, because rather than try to get a rule changed we just evolved our equiptment to meet the demands of hard competition. The main point I'm trying to get at is that this rule is hurting probably over 75% of the ASH racers. We HAVE TO run tuck to keep our boats on the water, and with this new rule that means we have to make a choice between having to run with our motors buried, or running with a really light bow, niether of which sound fun!
Lastly, my friends I must ask, what ever happened to PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY? It has always occured to me that boat racing is a sport that requires a high level of personal responsibility. That responsibility includes your own well being, and assuming racers are even half responsible, they shouldn't drive a setup they are uncomfortable with.
Mostly this rule just really frustrates me for many reasons.
1) I have seen NO factual evidence of this being a dangerous setup
2) The rule did NOT go to ballot even though it directly affects the drivers
3) I see NO reason that if someone is uncomfortable with the "extreme tuck" set up that they have to run it
4) In consideration to point 3, I see no more reason why people that are comfortable with that set up should be punished
5) I see no reason why the slower "A" boats should have to jum through all these hoops, when the faster and more dangerous "C" boats are allowed to run at 1/2"
Just some things to mull over,
Mike Perman 32-R
(and very upset ASH driver)