It looks like the committee got (sort of) over ruled here.
From what I understand, the vintage engine committee found the head to be illegal for XO but being the nice guys that they are, the committee suggested to the board that even though the car was entered in the wrong class that their records be carried over to the correct class. Keep in mind that this has NEVER been done before for ANY of the countless other incorrectly classed entries over the years. The board decided to follow the precedence of not allowing cars to change class after the fact as if the car had magically ran in the correct class to begin with. You have to physically run in the class to get the record. No paper work racing.
So, . . . who is the final answer person on rules questions in SCTA?
At the highest level, the board is the final answer. At the lowest level, the specific class committee.
And what is the purpose of the various committees?
The various committees consist of volunteer members who are highly knowledgeable of the specific class or group they oversee. The members are typically long term or highly involved participants of said class or group. The committees provide guidance to participants as well as the board when situations like this arise. Things like this are usually preventable when the right group of people are involved.
All of that aside, I think a valuable lesson can come out of this and going forward I hope it doesn't happen again.
Props to the Salt Cat guys for keeping their chin up and having a positive attitude.
