*5 J's* wrote:I feel we have got off topic a bit. I understand some of you are against a wheelbase rule - I am ok with it.
I think you were the one who asked "Why would one want to deviate from these prescribed locations?"
I am not philosophically opposed to rules enforcing wheelbase characteristics, but I raised the
question of the rule's motivation to understand how to best word the committee's preferences. After all, if the race committee doesn't know why a boundary condition exists, then does its precise wording really matter?
*5 J's* wrote:If our rule is poorly worded I would like to know how I could write the rule better.
There are two specifications at issue here. One specification is
wheelbase as the distance between axles. The other is the location of the axles relative to the end(s) of the block. IMO the latter specification makes for the greatest complication. The original wording is insufficient to address situations where the block length changes, as
Darin noted. Taking all the commentary into consideration, I think your
earlier proposed specification does well to address your committee's preferences, although I might also offer this alternate wording:
H. Wheelbase – Use of the pre-cut axles slots is encouraged but not required; regardless:
• The block's original wheelbase must be maintained (nominally 4-3/8 inches)
• The front axles must be located less than 1 3/4" from the front of the car.
A few reasons for the proposed wording:
- 1. Specifications precise to 1/16" are hard to build to and to enforce. Understand that the slot is already wider than 1/16".
2. It may easier to precisely measure the front axle distance rather than the rear, as that is a shorter distance.
3. The intent seems to be to specify the wheelbase "as comes with the block" rather than a precise numerical prescription which may not be met by pre-cut axle slots anyway.
4. "Less is more." If you really want people to use the slots, then do not explicitly advertise alternatives.
It is not clear whether you want to disallow staggered left and right axles (not necessary at the same location along the body).