So, dads shouldn't encourage learning and experimentation? How many 8 year olds knew about COM and how its location affects the cars performace until dad taught them about it?3 Cub Dad wrote:As to other bore mods, how many 8 year olds know the difference between a left handed and right handed tap? Lets get real, you're talking about things the dad's want to do, not the kids.
I feel confident in the premise that rules are designed to not necessarily restrict development, but realistically define development that could reasonably be designed and created by a 7 - 11 year old boy. I concede that there are some brilliant 7-11 year olds out there, quite possibly capable of performing the necessary physics experiments to squeeze out an extra .50 sec out of a car. I concede that there could be at least one boy who is capable of operating a lathe. I concede that there could be at least one boy who is capable of operating a spray booth.
With those concessions in mind, I still think that just because it is HARDER to inspect for something does not mean that the rule is unjust, unfair, or retards competition to the point that it ruins the event. I am always reminded that ANY SCOUT can produce a car that uses ANY technology in what is called the "open" class or "outlaw" class...
Perhaps we could encourage scouts to create TWO cars.... one within the requirements to see just how fast a car can go under the performance-matching restrictions, and a wide open "outlaw" class where weight and dimensions are the only restrictions....