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12-05-2012 | 06:24 PM

#159

Iron Dog

Joined: Feb 2009

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From: Sacramento, CA

RE: Sams warbird racing

Quoting Jimmy Skids' points, highlighting important points he makes (as I see it), and adding related follow-on thoughts:

1. Rules were not designed around YS engines, the tables were adapted and ranges set trying to keep and equal amount in jumps between different size motors and wing areas.... in fact, when I reworked the wing area charts, the 70 and 115 were not in production.

2. .89?..... the range of CC is just that a range (in other words read it as 0-.89, 90-.99, etc, etc).... new motors are coming out all the time and the chart was redesigned with the unknown in mind. Pick a motor, figure what range it is in, and then you can determine your wing area.
This is for fairness and CONSISTENCY OVER TIME.

3.Very few if any are flying 65% nitro. it just doesn't work well with the YS motors.
Furthermore, I do not think that you can fairly compare a stock 2-stroke leisurely running on 20% nitro to an often highly modified 4-stroke burning itself out on 65% nitro. (Many of the fastest pilots make engine modifications to get this extra speed; and, not too many run this high a nitro %. The fastest are also flying custom airframe designs . . . or at least custom airfoil and wing designs; and design factors considerably in their speed.)

The reality is that we racers are a crafty, competitive bunch. It may not take long for someone to find a way to modify the OS 120 or another manufacturer’s future offering to run a tuned-pipe, handle higher nitro, etc., suddenly this engine could outclass the YS. Then what, the rules get changed back again? Let's face it, those that feel they need “an edge” will simply invest in whatever configuration and modifications are necessary to give them this edge; and, the deeper one's pockets, the further he can go. Some are willing to burn-up their engines every couple of races, glowplugs every round, etc. Personally, I can't afford to. This will always seem somewhat unfair to those of us who do not have deep pockets, but the reality is that some will always find a way to exploit any advantage we can find. Taking a realistic look at myself, I'm no less guilty of this when I concentrate on better airframe design to better compete with the "engine guys." It is the nature of competition for each of us to play to his strengths.

SAM is trying to be consistent, with relatively few rules changes, despite an unknown future of technological innovations and offerings within the hobby industry.
4. The changes discussed would clearly only be an issue with regards to the gold class. Most racers wouldn't enter Gold to start off so the point of not getting new racers with the current rules is minor if even an issue at all. My comment was that if there is interest, and if those interested show said interest while at an event, I'm sure the CD's would listen. I do not CD races so I have little to do with new rules being approved. I have been more than willing to present the idea of making changes to the CD's and have done so already, I am more than willing to work on a rules revisions that seem to benefit the majority of pilots if there is enough interest, I am more than willing to be the sounding board for logical and rational discussions on the subject for those that are interested. But so far it has only been a couple of pilots. A couple won’t get it done. You, I , We would need more of a showing to constitute any changes.

5. Rules changes about engines that must idle were done before my time. However, these changes were done in the interest of safety. Nowhere are Jett or Nelson engines banned in the current version of the rules. Keep in mind here that the major intent of the SAM Warbird rules is SAFETY. I will take a moment to express that SAFETY is extremely important to SAM and its members. This type of racing is inherently dangerous and we all have to be very prudent with how these events are carried out. It is one thing if you are a visitor to the club and there is a safety issue, it is totally different if you are a member and lose your home field.

6. We all desire to go fast and turn left. Let’s try to work within the current rules and do our best to try to encourage others to enjoy what we already know is great fun.
Well stated, Jim!

Geez that took awhile. (Yes, it does! And, many of these points have been made already. After all that has already been explained and discussed, if someone still wants to believe that the rules were written with a bias, then I don’t believe that anything you, I, or anyone else says, will dissuade them from their viewpoint.)

Jimmy Skids (Ollie)
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