Safety is a relative term! We all want to be safe in our vehicles! I want to be safe in my liner! That is job number one for Jack and I! As you all know, there is an element of risk in this hobby of ours, and it has to be dealt with in a fair way. The SCTA is doing it's best to be open and positive about the issues they perceive with 8080.
All the "great" leaders with their committees, created or changed rules believing they are, or were doing what was best for their people. By the stroke of a pen, the raising of a hand, rules are created and changed to save us from our own "stupidity".
What I do not want to have happen, is the creation of some rule that will control the construction and design of "Streamliners". Just as they decided to define a 2 wheel "Streamliner" a motorcycle that has tip 20 degrees. They could decide that a "Streamliner" cannot tip or use skids, (skids that are for support in event of flat tire thus, a safety addition). These may seem like innocuous rule additions, but at this time it would only effect Jack's designs. Who knows what could be learned or what might develop with this new frame of reference or paradigm shift, (narrow tread, pantograph steering, safety skids, and the relevance of a flat bottom)?
We are more than willing to comply with the Technical advisers and rigorous dynamic testing.
I know this does not matter because I am the driver/co owner and am a bit biased and totally subjective, but this "Streamliner" is so easy to drive in a straight line that I could send a text message while going down the track! After years in my coupe, waiting for the handling demons to say "hello" this vehicle almost puts me to sleep.
No one can judge a design safe or unsafe the same way a cardboard or PVC rollbar can be judged!
I say "NO" to rule changes and the "spec" ing of "Streamliners", both two and four wheel!
Streamliners both 2 and 4 wheel are the ultimate straightaway vehicles, and should not be judged as cars or motorcycles.
FIM stated the 20degree rule was to "better define a motorcycle and for safety".
Many think it was promoted by people protecting their designs, records and pocketbooks!
We will never know, if a flat bottom, 2 wheel "Streamliner" will hold the record! Don't limit the design of 4Wheel "Streamliners" this way!
Jack,
You've always been a personal hero of mine and I respect and admire your limitless innovation. I know that safety is a priority in your mind which leads me to believe that you've built a car that you know is safe. Perhaps I won't personally create growth, advance progress or impart our knowledge by playing with conventional stuff like stupid roadsters or Model B Fords, but I like rules that keep me and others safe. I personally like knowing that a group of concerned experienced racers that have volunteered to act as guardians and enforcers of these rules care enough to say hey, let's take a step back and really take a good look at things before we go further. I've personally seen more than enough bad things happen that I'll personally never take what the rules are trying to do to keep me safe for granted. But like I said, I'm kind of conservative like that I guess. I think at the end of the day it's still about having fun and safe is fun in my mind and I'm sure you'd agree with me.
Anyways, I'm sure this will all get sorted out in due time. Being so far ahead of the curve just means the rest of the curve has to catch up with you.
Best of luck Jack.
Nathan
[/quote]
