Where's The Beef. Ed?

[csh2z]

There were two issues involving CSH. The first issue is many mostly newer people are burning up motors trying to compete with a 302 at the 1/2" height. The solution to pull a 1/4" shim from everybody is the least costly for everybody. The other issue is the dominance of the 102 at the "Nationals" ie. looong course. The solution was to allow a 1000' run to the first turn instead of 1500'. The 302's are very competitive on all the shorter courses. The SORC does NOT want to MODIFY motors nor do we want to make anybodies equipment obsolete by making a drastic change. Had any of Sam's solutions been aproved the outcry would have been worse than what we're hearing. The SORC members are willing to take the heat for the decisions we make because we feel we are acting in the best interest of the sport. Every time a change is made, some benefit, some don't. John Runne 2-Z

[Charlie Pater]

John -Two short points because I got to go to work.

1. I understand the 1500 foot rule was established to make the Nationals course safer. It lets the field of boats spread out for a safer entrance to the first corner. Now, in the name of safety, are we making the race less safe?
2. If a hydroplane has a hook in the bottom, the motor probably won’t pump water at a height of 1 inch below the bottom. Everyone needs to work on their setup to make it function properly. That is part of stock racing.

John, I still would like to have actual data to support the rule making.

Charlie

[Tim Weber]

I think the SORC'S move took some courage. Leadership is when you make decisions that may not be popular but are in the interest of all. Ed spearheaded this move and he does not run CSH.

After reading the posts, making a 302 pump water consistently at higher transom heights seems way out of a lot of racers abilities. I have read about shaving lower units, shaving towers, transom angles, hooks, s curves and shear pin locations. This is crazy! What happened to buying a boat putting a motor on and race? For the guys who have been around like Sam, no big deal, they know the tricks. I think this rule is really intended for the newer guy.

I know for a fact that Dennis Burke burned up his 302 at least 3 times while working with John Runne trying boat designs to get the motor to pump. I have always considered John as one of the best. Well, If John struggled to figure this out, think about the newer guys.

The answer will be on the race course. Let's see what happens.

Way to go SORC!

Tim

[driser]

I guess I still don't quite understand why after 15 years of a "problem" the SORC has to make a decision right now instead of testing a few of the ideas put out first. I don't buy into the "save us from ourselves" burning up motors, and sounds like the 1000' rule will possibly fix the Nationals "problem".

D. Riser

[Matt Dagostino]

Safety....................

Charlie is absolutly right!! The 1500 foot run to the first turn was established as a safety feature to spread the field some and avoid first turn 'incidents'.

What a bonehead move to drop it back to 1000 feet just to help one motor??
What am i missing here. We potentially are risking driver safety to accomadate ONE motor. I know the 1000 foot run to the first turn is a minimum now and clubs can keep it at 1500 feet or more if they like, but i am sure the SORC will 'pressure' clubs to run the shorter course at our biggest event.

One would think that the 3/4inch requirement would be adequate without messing with course safety rules!

[dholt]

Point to remember...

The 1000' run from start to first turn at a Nationals course is only a MINIMUM.

Nothing against making that distance 1200, 1500 or 2000 feet.

So...let's not think this issue is completely "solved".

Not sure what Wakefield's measurements were in 2006...but that was a nice course...all the way around.

[Steve Warnock]

First Turn

Dana,

It was 1,500. Has been for all the recent Wakefields since 1998. In Fact 1980/82 it could have been 2,200 as we ran close to a mile 1/8 to 1/2.

Warbs

[dholt]

Thanks for the info, Steve.

I sure wouldn't like to see that distance cut by 1/3 at ANY Nationals course. Not only would the first turn be a log jam, but the overall course length would be pretty lame. Unless the distance from the second turn to the start/finish was pretty long.

The water would never get a chance to settle down, either...with such a short course.

[csh2z]

If a shorter run to the first turn is so dangerous, why is it allowed at local races? Is local competition not just as fierce? Most of us go pretty much the same speed and all get to the first turn the same time anyway. I suspect some of you may be trying to protect that one special long course "Nationals" prop.

[Charlie Pater]

If a shorter run to the first turn is so dangerous, why is it allowed at local races? Is local competition not just as fierce? Most of us go pretty much the same speed and all get to the first turn the same time anyway. I suspect some of you may be trying to protect that one special long course "Nationals" prop.

John - I think you answered your own question with your question. The competition IS at a higher level at the nationals.

Charlie

[csh2z]

Charlie, We pretty much race against the same people at both the local and national level. John

[ryan_4z]

John - I think you answered your own question with your question. The competition IS at a higher level at the nationals.

Charlie

I don't know, I drive just as dirty at local races as I do at the Nationals.

By the way, shouldn't that be a comma, not a period, in the thread title?

[csh2z]

Ryan, get back in the shop!

[mike ross]

John I need some UIM cockpit sides put in my FEH laydown. I want a coffin with a front window. Mikey

[race4kaos]

are you serious??

If a shorter run to the first turn is so dangerous, why is it allowed at local races? Is local competition not just as fierce? Most of us go pretty much the same speed and all get to the first turn the same time anyway. I suspect some of you may be trying to protect that one special long course "Nationals" prop.

1. Local races don't have 12 boats in every heat.
2. At local races people know other's driving and respect each other more.
3. Some local courses aren't as safe as they don't allow for 1500', as opposed to all Nationals courses.
4. If "Most of us go pretty much the same speed" then there is no issue to begin with.
5. The east coast certainly doesn't "pretty much race against the same people at both the local and national level". The finals are full of R6 & R7 drivers.
6. Some idiots take more risks and 'go for it' at the Nationals to win. I saw this one CSH crash right next to me on the straightaway at Wakefield last year.

This is a lame arguement. It is very questionable that 3/4" is safer than 1/2". It is undisputable that 1500' is safer than 1000'.
It appears 'safety' only applies when it's convenient [to not allow drivers to vote].

Hate to say it, but I'm with Matt on this one...