Thoughts on rule interpretation....
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 6:36 am
Had an interesting chat with our Scoutmaster at this weeks meeting. 2 things I found very interesting to say the least...
1) How would you interpret this rule pertaining to an extended wheelbase & axle holes? Turns out, our SM saw some of my FB pics of my tiger building his car this year. He gave me a slight look away, with a "yeah, about that..." comment. He noted that our "extended wheelbase" wasn't exactly rule compliant. I was shocked! I was like "What? We've built our cars this way for the last two years (same pack), and it's completely within the rules, from what I read, and I've read them over and over." He points to the handout paper, and says "da, da, da,.....then points to the url on the page under "full rules can be found here". I immediately go the url/rule page, and below is the complete rule. After reading/showing him the rule, the SM and his assistant agree, that "Well, we figured it was pretty clear that we meant that the original axle slots have to be used". I read the rule, as it's written, word for word. I see no mention of the word "slots", and I also see the mention of the word "holes", which there are no "axle holes" unless we put them in. I really thought that it was rather obvious that the rule allowed for extended wheelbase and axle "holes", and pointed out that we've built the last two year's cars like this. He replies with "Yeah, we kinda looked the other way on those.". I'm mildly upset underneath by this time, and feel like we were considered cheaters, all while priding ourselves in being/building 100% rule compliant. What's your guys' thoughts/How do you read it?
2) We had a conversation about this as well. It was the same meeting where they passsed out the cars to the scouts. I point out the no RR rule, along with the bent axle rule. They confirm that there will be no "Rail Riding" of any sort (no center rail track). Since we are all very friendly towards each other, I point out the issue in this rule, and tell them our intentions. I poured out the contents of our bsa box, and show them that there are two "not straight" axles. I tell them that we plan on using the "worst" of the factory axles that we can, for the front wheels, and that we are going to tune the car with those axles to get the best steering that we can. I get told flat out "yeah, there is no steering or RR'ing allowed, at all". I point out that we could take the time to straighten all axles, and do our best to tune "straight as possible", but the scout next to us, who just put his car together, could luck into a car that steers into an outer rail, purely by chance, and we are instantly at a dis-advantage. I asked what would happen in that case (scoutmaster helper was also in convo, and is the official starter every year). His reply was "well, if I see a competitive car, I will be watching for it riding a rail. If it does, then we will take some pliers and turn the front axles, until it doesn't" ( this was immediately after he made a comment/suggestion about rubbing the outer rails with graphite to help raise the track speeds). I'm still quite not sure what to make of this, and am really at a loss on what to do. I mean, naturally, we will be tuning for 100% straight now, but I'm not liking it one bit.
4. Wheels and Axles: The wheel width and diameter must remain the same. Minor truing to the outside of the wheel is acceptable as long as the overall wheel profile is not changed. In other words, you may lightly sand the wheels to get rid of plastic imperfections, but do not alter the wheel’s overall profile. The same applies to the axles. Modifying the wheel base is acceptable as long the original wood is used for the axle holes. The axles may not be bent. All four wheels must touch the track evenly and turn freely. Rail-riding is not permitted.
1) How would you interpret this rule pertaining to an extended wheelbase & axle holes? Turns out, our SM saw some of my FB pics of my tiger building his car this year. He gave me a slight look away, with a "yeah, about that..." comment. He noted that our "extended wheelbase" wasn't exactly rule compliant. I was shocked! I was like "What? We've built our cars this way for the last two years (same pack), and it's completely within the rules, from what I read, and I've read them over and over." He points to the handout paper, and says "da, da, da,.....then points to the url on the page under "full rules can be found here". I immediately go the url/rule page, and below is the complete rule. After reading/showing him the rule, the SM and his assistant agree, that "Well, we figured it was pretty clear that we meant that the original axle slots have to be used". I read the rule, as it's written, word for word. I see no mention of the word "slots", and I also see the mention of the word "holes", which there are no "axle holes" unless we put them in. I really thought that it was rather obvious that the rule allowed for extended wheelbase and axle "holes", and pointed out that we've built the last two year's cars like this. He replies with "Yeah, we kinda looked the other way on those.". I'm mildly upset underneath by this time, and feel like we were considered cheaters, all while priding ourselves in being/building 100% rule compliant. What's your guys' thoughts/How do you read it?
2) We had a conversation about this as well. It was the same meeting where they passsed out the cars to the scouts. I point out the no RR rule, along with the bent axle rule. They confirm that there will be no "Rail Riding" of any sort (no center rail track). Since we are all very friendly towards each other, I point out the issue in this rule, and tell them our intentions. I poured out the contents of our bsa box, and show them that there are two "not straight" axles. I tell them that we plan on using the "worst" of the factory axles that we can, for the front wheels, and that we are going to tune the car with those axles to get the best steering that we can. I get told flat out "yeah, there is no steering or RR'ing allowed, at all". I point out that we could take the time to straighten all axles, and do our best to tune "straight as possible", but the scout next to us, who just put his car together, could luck into a car that steers into an outer rail, purely by chance, and we are instantly at a dis-advantage. I asked what would happen in that case (scoutmaster helper was also in convo, and is the official starter every year). His reply was "well, if I see a competitive car, I will be watching for it riding a rail. If it does, then we will take some pliers and turn the front axles, until it doesn't" ( this was immediately after he made a comment/suggestion about rubbing the outer rails with graphite to help raise the track speeds). I'm still quite not sure what to make of this, and am really at a loss on what to do. I mean, naturally, we will be tuning for 100% straight now, but I'm not liking it one bit.
4. Wheels and Axles: The wheel width and diameter must remain the same. Minor truing to the outside of the wheel is acceptable as long as the overall wheel profile is not changed. In other words, you may lightly sand the wheels to get rid of plastic imperfections, but do not alter the wheel’s overall profile. The same applies to the axles. Modifying the wheel base is acceptable as long the original wood is used for the axle holes. The axles may not be bent. All four wheels must touch the track evenly and turn freely. Rail-riding is not permitted.