2015 NAMBA FE Proposals

[keithbradley]

I don't ever recall running when pre-run voltage checks weren't done Doug. The only thing that's changed in the past few years is the voltage specs.
I don't understand how everyone is taping up at a CD's table and it's not a problem. At oval events don't you have a bunch of guys taping up at that same time? What do they do?

[ray schrauwen]

I'm all for voltage checks before races, no problem. I'm good, rules are as I thought they were. I only need 4.20/ cell.

[Doby]

I don't understand how everyone is taping up at a CD's table and it's not a problem. At oval events don't you have a bunch of guys taping up at that same time? What do they do?

There has to be a certain level of trust involved as well....it is a hobby after all.

[keithbradley]

There has to be a certain level of trust involved as well....it is a hobby after all.

So what does that mean?

[RaceMechaniX]

Keith,
At our record trails we have several experienced boaters assigned to check batteries before people tape up. This just means you call them over to your pit prior to you connecting and taping up and they check your cells via the balance tab. we check to three decimal places to ensure each cell is below 4.230V/cell.

At heat racing events it is a little more difficult to tech all boats obviously. We do rely on sportsmanship to race on a level field. Perhaps we will start random battery checks in the pits prior to taping up.

Tyler

[Doug Smock]

I don't ever recall running when pre-run voltage checks weren't done Doug. The only thing that's changed in the past few years is the voltage specs.
I don't understand how everyone is taping up at a CD's table and it's not a problem. At oval events don't you have a bunch of guys taping up at that same time? What do they do?

Huntsville, E City, and Atlanta have multiple tables set up for teching if needed. (I always take a spare for that reason) Once the boat is inspected it can be moved off of the table as long as it doesn't leave the CD / Technical inspectors sight.
Even though we are allowed 2.5 min pit time. I tell guys to make note of where they are in the running order and try to get inspected prior to the guy two spots ahead of them going in the pond. That gives them plenty of time to get ready and it saves that 2.5 minutes. At RTs where you have 15 to 20 contestants that time adds up.

I agree that spot checking at heat racing events should be adequate.

[Doby]

So what does that mean?

That's a bit concerning that it needs to be explained...


Trust= not cheating...that's what it would be as far as I'm concerned.

We are all in it for the hobby and would hope that cheating would be an major concern only for circumstances that involve winning substantial amounts of $$$ vs a $2.00 plastic trophy.

It would be cheating after all to charge batteries higher than currently allowed...anyone that wants to win that badly is obviously making up for other shortcomings in their lives....pathetic really. And lets face it, a few extra fractions of a volt will rarely (if ever) make a difference in oval racing as the fastest boat quite often never crosses the finish line. Getting through traffic alive and not flipping in wakes (buoys etc..) is a greater concern than increases in fractional voltages.

Maybe in the SAW world, its more important as it requires actually no driving skill (sarcasm) and is just a point/ shoot and pray for a few seconds type of run.

Do I personally think anyone at the last two Michigan events would/did cheat...No..best bunch of morons to hang out with for a few days. More interested in having fun than anything else. I don't even recall anyone even discussing it...again, everyone to busy having fun.

Perhaps SAW events attract more of a shady type of participant (sarcasm).

I will be running some of the HV Revos at the Mich Cup this year, fully charged to the best ability of my aging Triton 2 chargers..go ahead and check my voltages...

[Doug Smock]

I agree with you John and I can't say I have ever suspected someone of cheating at a heat racing event. Are they out there? Probably so. I don't get it either, but I don't think that way.

Time trials are a different animal as our records are only as good as our technical standards & inspections. And of course, if the rules aren't followed we have no insurance.

[keithbradley]

Pre run voltage is what it should be..As getting voltage after a run has too many variables..As for having a tap on outside of hull..not sure many would want to do that..it's do easy to just have a table setup for pre race..check voltage then tape up..then hit water..

I'm not suggesting it should be mandatory, but at least optional. It just makes sense.

[keithbradley]

That's a bit concerning that it needs to be explained...


Trust= not cheating...that's what it would be as far as I'm concerned.

WHAT IS IT?
I guess your answer to "What do you do at oval events?" is that you don't check voltage at oval events?
Are we talking in code here? Comprehension is not something I struggle with, so perhaps you should be concerned.

We are all in it for the hobby and would hope that cheating would be an major concern only for circumstances that involve winning substantial amounts of $$$ vs a $2.00 plastic trophy.

You can hope that, but do you really believe that?
If people only cheat for money, why are we even talking about this?

[Doby]

WHAT IS IT?
I guess your answer to "What do you do at oval events?" is that you don't check voltage at oval events?
Are we talking in code here? Comprehension is not something I struggle with, so perhaps you should be concerned.

Keith:


You can hope that, but do you really believe that?
If people only cheat for money, why are we even talking about this?

Grammar 101 "It" is whatever we are talking about...in this case trust/cheating...
No code, but I understand your confusion as I was typing in Canadian...I'll try and type in American...

At.......the.......last.........3........large.... ..FE.......events........I.......attended........ in........ Michigan....... I....... don't ........ recall....... anyone's ........ voltage ........ ever ...... being....... checked ...... . ....... Not .......saying ...... "it" ...... ("it"..... in .... this ..... case .... is .... voltage ..... checking ) ....... wasn't ........ done ........ , but ........ "it" .......... (see....... line ...... above ....... for ...... definition ..... ) ...... probably ....... wasn't ........ deemed ......... worthy........ of ....... interrupting...... everyone's ....... fun.


I'm ..... switching ....... back ...... to ...... Canadian....... now:

How many cases of "it" (voltage cheating) do you know about Keith? If you have suspicions/proof of any wrong doing, then please bring them to the FE worlds attention.

Should we start opening up spec motors and count the windings?? There are lots of gold motors out there sold by Tower (and others) that are above the 2030 Kv rating but are the same physical size as the current spec motors......wouldn't that slow things down on race day....

"it"=trust in your fellow competitors.

[Doug Smock]

Moderator here: Easy fellas...

I'm not suggesting it should be mandatory, but at least optional. It just makes sense.

Back to Records Director.

This can be beat to death for days, you know have we are.

The best thing to do is write a proposal, I'll submit it for you.
I don't think it will have any support for reasons stated in post #14, but I'll be glad to take it to the BOD.
The next meeting is the annual Internats meeting that will be held somewhere around June 24th- the 28th, so you have time. It would be a good idea to include a picture of your proposed external connector set up.

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1
The IMPBA Official Rule Book shall be amended in the following manner:
A. Proposed amendments must be submitted to a District Director, National Director, President or any Voting Executive Board member in writing and signed and dated by the author and 5 IMPBA current members. It must be received 30 days prior to a Board Meeting for consideration.
B. All rule proposals regarding the Constitution, By Laws, Procedures, General Rules of Competition, Contest & Racing Rules, Technical Standards, and those pertaining to Classes (except those that affect safety or financial solvency of the organization), will be reviewed during any regular or special meeting of the Executive Board. The board will evaluate and approve or disapprove or amend all proposals. (Guideline: Does it benefit the IMPBA, and does it benefit the membership? It must benefit both)

[keithbradley]

Is that what they're teaching in Canada? Lol.

I would be happy to argue with you Doby, but I'm not sure what we're arguing about. I asked what people's thoughts were on integrating bullets into the hull so voltage can be checked after taping up. I specifically ask this here because it's a good idea, but like anything else, someone will try to find a problem with it (usually the same people). In no way is this question relative to how much trust you have, who you think did or didn't cheat, or how many people you assume I have on a hypothetical cheaters list (Outside of all the big money FE races out there, I don't see much). I don't care what you do with a spec motor, unless you're using the can for a voltage checking port on the outside of the hull, then I think it's a good idea.

Tyler:
Why at the balance plug? It seems like it would be easier and more relevant to check the voltage of the circuit. Couldn't I just remove one wire from a 5s balance plug and run in P?

[Doug Smock]

Tyler:
Why at the balance plug? It seems like it would be easier and more relevant to check the voltage of the circuit. Couldn't I just remove one wire from a 5s balance plug and run in P?

I was wondering the same.

[keithbradley]

I was wondering the same.

Captain's Log:

05-09-15

Doug Smock seemingly agrees with me...publicly