Scrutineering cars - what is checkable?

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gordon
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Scrutineering cars - what is checkable?

Post by gordon »

Hi Guys,

Our class regulations categorise what's allowed or not allowed under the following headings:
  • Body
  • Chassis
  • Minimum Ground Clearance
  • Interior
  • Digital Chip
  • Motor
  • Gearing
  • Motor Pod (where applicable)
  • Magnets
  • Wheels
  • Axles
  • Tyres
  • Guide Flag
In order to scrutineer cars, we must be able to check these items. Items which cannot be checked in a practical manner, are not enforceable and therefore should not be in the list above. So, which of the above are actually enforceable and not enforceable in a practical manner? Here's the list again with my take on what is and is not enforceable in a practical manner:
  • Body - enforceable
  • Chassis - enforceable
  • Minimum Ground Clearance - enforceable
  • Interior - enforceable
  • Digital Chip - enforceable
  • Motor - NOT enforceable
  • Gearing - NOT enforceable
  • Motor Pod (where applicable) - enforceable
  • Magnets - enforceable
  • Wheels - enforceable
  • Axles - NOT enforceable
  • Tyres - enforceable
  • Guide Flag - enforceable
Anytime a rule or law is not enforceable, the rule or law may as well not exist.

Please let me have your thoughts on this, along with suggestions for sorting it out.

Gordon
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Re: Scrutineering cars - what is checkable?

Post by arden100 »

Gordon,

Huh, I don't understand.

ARDEN
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Re: Scrutineering cars - what is checkable?

Post by gordon »

Arden,

How do we check motors, gearing and axles in a practical manner on race nights?

Motors: What's to stop me from opening a stock Scalextric motor and changing the magnets and armature? How do we check this?

Gearing: For classes that do not allow gear changes, how do we count the teeth on the gears?

Axles: How do we determine if a Scalextric axle is the standard one and not a hollow axle (for example) without removing the wheel (which then damages the wheel)?

Gordon
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Re: Scrutineering cars - what is checkable?

Post by arden100 »

Gordon,

I am a gentleman when it comes to this. Sorry for those who think and do different. I don't intend to hurt anyone feeling, but this this tells me someone is cheating or this is your belief.

Anyway.

You can check a scalextric motor. If the motor is tampered with you will see the marks at the top pins. I have modified motors and you can tell when any motor have been tampered. I dare anyone to open a motor and I cannot tell. It is too obvious.

Gearing. I will purchase a Paint marker to check the gearing. This will only take 3 MINS max to check.

Scalextric axles are mainly black. Gluing back a Spur or Crown is very difficult. Anyway this will not make that amount of difference in terms of speed.

We have the time to check cars properly.
LETS DO IT!

On another note we are also suppose to check other cars and not only the winning cars. Is that correct or still in the diccussion stages?

ARDEN
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Re: Scrutineering cars - what is checkable?

Post by Luke »

GG,

I'm a gentleman too when it comes to most things.

I read, reread & read over again and how I interpret this, is a positive one ... Dont see a problem with it because it makes sense that if something isnt enforced, how could it be checked ..?

Example: When my boss put a log book on the front desk (when company went from 5 to 15 members) for all staff to sign in & out - it was for the same reason.

Go through hard with this upgraded scrutineering :)

Luke
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Re: Scrutineering cars - what is checkable?

Post by Luke »

Here's an appropriate song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBmAPYkPeYU&feature=kp) when conditions like this comes up :D

All in good taste of course ... okay :)
steveaca
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Re: Scrutineering cars - what is checkable?

Post by steveaca »

Hi all,
as Arden pointed out, although it may be a bit more difficult to check the areas highlighted, it is still possible to do more in-depth checking. I think that this is the route we should follow. I wouldn't like to see the elimination of rules in these areas due to them not being enforceable. Imagine a Historic Saloon class with no motor restriction ! Maybe at our next event we could discuss the appointment of a 'Charlie' (as in F1's Charlie Whiting) to head up the scrutineering team for the night's races. 'Charlie' could be rotated at every meeting.
Steve
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Re: Scrutineering cars - what is checkable?

Post by arden100 »

Gordon,

We all agree.

This is Great!

1. We start racing earlier and we get home at a reasonable time.
2. We have better checking of the rules enforced.

This is fantastic. Now we will not have any issues with regards to suspicious minds and dishonest persons in our midst.

Now when we have the same performance by the cars in question maybe we will go back to the drawing board and really try to get our cars working better.

Do you have the marker to check the gear Gordon?
We will need a magnifying glass to check the motor tabs.
Gordon I believe we should check all cars with particular interest in the winning car, I will do a check list for each class and have it laminated for next race meet.

This is a step in a very positive direction I will be happy to see this put in place.


Arden
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Re: Scrutineering cars - what is checkable?

Post by gordon »

arden100 wrote:Gordon I believe we should check all cars with particular interest in the winning car, I will do a check list for each class and have it laminated for next race meet.
Arden, what about printing and laminating this one that we already use?
FRC Tech Inspection Sheet (class grouped).pdf
FRC Tech Inspection Check List
(36.55 KiB) Downloaded 224 times
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Re: Scrutineering cars - what is checkable?

Post by arden100 »

Gordon,

Consider it done.
I know you said you had the marker for checking of the gears. What about the magnifying glass to check motor tabs?
One more point should we parc ferme and scrutineer all cars at once or after each class?

Arden
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