Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Lowe
I do agree with the position of the main 'feature' being close to the rostrum not being ideal, I usually put it there to make it easier for people to judge - especially for some of the younger members who don't have as high a vantage point as the rest of us big kids 
We can try it toward the back of the track or even somewhere in the middle if people want next meeting, it would definitely help stop people trying to sterilise Chris!
Also I 110% agree with most of the cars people drive being over powered too. One of the things I noticed when I went to the US to race for the first time was the complete lack of vaguely guided missiles in the lower heats flying off in random directions, the American's do seem more disciplined than most UK club drivers in driving a car they can handle. For most people I think a 10.5 is a nice balance of being fast enough but still controllable, there are a couple of members who have recently switched their monster motors for 10.5's and are more than happy 
You have to also look at the other side of the coin though, for the drivers that CAN handle big power having a 10.5 motor limit could be a real pain. Having to swap motors out every week would not only be annoying but constant soldering would eventually give internal dry joints on the motors and make them go bad sooner. Additionally (and this might just be me) but driving a 10.5, especially in 4wd would have me bored rigid. Yes you can add timing to the ESC that gets some of your top speed back but you lose torque, which just makes the car feel like you're running a badly matched set of nicad's and a cell or two has dumped 
It's a tough one... |
I'll admit, when I set up the jump on saturday, it was a little close to the rostrum, maybe a bit too close. But there was still plenty of room to dismount the rostrum. I agree with Rich's point, we almost always do the jump there to provide the best view of it and the angle of your approach to the up ramp. I think judging the angle and position of the car approaching the jump would be very tricky with the jump at the other side of the hall to the rostrum, or in the middle of the track would obstruct the view of other parts of the hall, potentialy causing more incedents! It is very rare that anyone gets hit, it was just unfortunate that Jamie miss judged his angle after coming off the rippled section. I was in the same race and stood next to him as it happened in fact, luckily at the other side of him. The car actually hit Jamie himself, but unfortunately as he tried to kick it away from the rest of us, it spun in and caught chris in the nuts. The motor speed had nothing to do with it, it was the rippled run up. I setup the the jump to include a smooth down ramp and kick up off the end, which could easily be down ramped at reasonable, not excessive speeds. I disagree with any limiting to modified class, as it's been said before, it's down to the individual to realise they can go faster by having a slower motor and being more in control. Limiting the class would only spoil things for the top drivers, Rich actually cleared the jump a number of times safely to jump lapped cars.