Bob, I'd be interested to hear the answer to this as well if Kent knows it? Here is one of my answers
when asked about the steering stop rule, it's application and it's enforcement when it came out for us
(as far as ECTA carrying it over from SCTA that is).
It's a 30 degree overall(15 degree in each direction) rule that I believe
SCTA's reason for is to keep down the amount of "violent" tank slap should
it happen). I did a bunch of scenario testing inside and outside here at the
shop(and was even 100% willing to build a jig for the ECTA to pull each bike
up on to be able to test the 15 degree in each direction turning maximum if
the rule stood, so we could have the ability to check "easily"). I believe
(and the reason I fought for removal), that unlike the SCTA, we don't have
enough room to turn around in many places we end up, and we(unlike the SCTA)
allow our entrants to ride their race bikes in the pits which has a large
ability of creating some slow speed manueverability issues and possible
injuries "because of" the rule. Not to mention the fact that there's many
bikes that would not be running unless they create new stops(and we've only
ever had one bike down from high speed wobble, and that was not a tank
slapper let alone a violent one). Although there are some that run at Maxton
I sure don't think we should force people to do this(again, it won't disallow
SCTA or crrent ECTA members either one from running). I think there's enough
runs at Maxton to prove that good steering dampers, tires and non slippery
surfaces(like concrete) do wonders for stability.
Todd
Kent,
I appreciatte when people that are in the meetings and behind the scenes are willing to say so in the
open forums liek this and admit they had a hand in something that didn't go to well as quickly as they
are about something that did go well, that shows involvement without expectation of recognition. Thank you for being one of those people.
But don't trust me(instead look back at the ECTA's history this decade as it's all over the internet and
more documented in writing then any other venue of this kind), when I say Deb may bring a problem to
light(and has done so with many in the last 8 years), but never without an offered solution and the
willingness to help in it's application and the followthrough to back it up(this is why she has not put as
much time in ON THE TRACK as she has FOR THE TRACK).
We both study the history of what we do before we actually do it(be it the reasoning for rules that
we've gone back decades on to the reasoning of the people that have left these venues or parts of them due to some of those rules), with the handful or two that have been so kind as to share with us
so honestly in our short time around here. But it doesn't mean we won't speak our minds before we find
everything out(we're both very open speakers like us or not). We're young(I'm younger then her but I
wouldn't tell her that as it makes her feel bad), so we are(and have been for some time) trying to learn
from the ones we look up to and that have made successful gains forward FOR, as well as in this sport.
So while I agree with the statement you make about someone doing something or people like you will
consider them part of of the problem, I've also learned that there are people that are doing stuff that
are part of the problem as well(or even more so at times). Simply doing something doesn't make
someone helpful(IE: a non-skilled or non-caring person is best to leave the tools on the bench and step
away from the lift). Thanks for what you do... if it truly makes a difference(or has the ability to anyway)!
Btw, I'd prefer Deb leave BOTH hands free to allow me to speak(and think) more clearly, as the sac she holds would likely be mine!
Todd
