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Post by andy on Nov 25, 2011 11:10:05 GMT
As the quest for speed continues..... We now have some genuinely quick, demanding tracks to race on, and with the prospect of other challenging tracks in the pipeline for 2012......I have a question... are teams gonna continue to develop their carts to cope with the extra damands they are now facing......or start with a clean sheet of paper and build carts that are truly '' fit for purpose''
I know the time / effort and cost that goes into a build.............
We have to do a '' new'' build every year...
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Post by roo4 on Nov 25, 2011 13:28:40 GMT
I think not! Given the time it takes us at Team Rooket to do anything Our cartie will evolve for the 2012 season. Hopefully to be completed before the first event and not as we go like this year. I would not rule out the pencil being sharpened for the 2013 or 2014 season. As speeds have increased I think the spec for a very quick cartie has evolved too. Up till now suspension was not seen as a requirement however in the future I think it will be a must for a quick cartie with predictable handling. I thing we need stability in the basic rules which cover wheel base, track, length, width and weight to name a few. Going forward from that point changes should be minor and given a years notice min. This will allow builders to have some certainty when starting a project that they will get a min of 3 years out of it before either doing major surgery of starting from scratch. I know this sounds difficult given that we do not have a over all technical spec for all events. now where did I put that pencil sharpener................
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Post by andy on Nov 25, 2011 14:04:01 GMT
To be fair Roo, I think you saw at the end on 2010 the way things were going and built accordingly. You are probably one step ahead of everyone else at the moment.
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Post by team-art on Nov 25, 2011 14:13:23 GMT
Hi Andy, Existing Soapbox: develop yes (no structural changes), not to meet increased demands only to try and make faster! Clean sheet Soapbox: Slimmer. Or full body? Lighter weight: Ballast to taste Some (Very limited) suspension Good stopping power (not locking power) 4 wheel (foot) brakes. The ability to swap wheels (little fat ones, Europe? Richards Castle, Scammonden? ?). Very light, very thin wheels/tyres for Border Bogies, Dalby) Fit for purpose? That’s for each event to decide. I hope (for most events) we never go very far down that road. It’s only Soapbox racing.
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Post by Scottish Cartie Association on Nov 25, 2011 14:16:58 GMT
It’s only Soapbox racing. Until something goes badly wrong. And then it's a fatal accident inquiry.
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Post by team-art on Nov 25, 2011 15:27:32 GMT
It’s only Soapbox racing. Until something goes badly wrong. And then it's a fatal accident inquiry. A. Very true B. Only if there’re really really dead C. Charlie, that’s two of us in the S.T.F.U club. ;D
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Post by Scottish Cartie Association on Nov 25, 2011 15:29:06 GMT
B. Only if there’re really really dead That can be arranged.
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Post by leew on Nov 25, 2011 15:35:34 GMT
Lighter weight: Ballast to taste Stephen won't like that
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Post by peasnbarley on Nov 25, 2011 16:48:35 GMT
Leew: I don't know what's got into you these days, you used to be such a quiet retiring sort of chap. ;D You'll have to start sitting at the front of the class where we can keep an eye on you, or you will end up in the naughty corner.
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Post by andy on Nov 28, 2011 9:04:25 GMT
back to the thread ..........New for 2012 We are gonna be on the look out for more venues. Helping out where we can. Trying to get more Teams involved.
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Post by bad attitude racing on Nov 28, 2011 22:53:43 GMT
were doing a new build for 2012, but building to 2011 regs ...... coz were rebels !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by joshuacbassett on Dec 17, 2011 16:52:05 GMT
Not to try and hijack the thread, but I understand the organisers are currently liable for the risk at the event? surely you can just get everybody to sign a waiver like motorsport? I race at bonneville every year and i've known many crashes occur, some fatal. but the organisers don't take any of the risk and if you don't want to take the risk of getting hurt you don't compete.
Just wondered why a setup isn't taken like this for soapboxing?
I think you could learn a lot from the world of motorsport too, in terms of scrutineering, it would allow for better scrutineering, reducing the need to try and slow the carries down.
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Post by team-art on Dec 18, 2011 10:45:33 GMT
I race at bonneville every year Hi, never mind this Soapbox stuff, what do you race at Bonneville? and we need speeds/details & pictures! Cheers Rich
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Post by bad attitude racing on Dec 18, 2011 18:07:08 GMT
I race at bonneville every year Hi, never mind this Soapbox stuff, what do you race at Bonneville? and we need speeds/details & pictures! Cheers Rich yer showing yer age rich, we want video !!!!!!!!!
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Post by joshuacbassett on Dec 19, 2011 11:24:20 GMT
heres a youtube vid: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU19uy_sNCETheres a pic attached too. Its a 1983 Dodge Shelby Charger, 2 litre 8 valve naturally aspirated straight 4. I've been to just under 150 in it. we're currently building a 16 valve which should take us somewhere close to the mid 160s. Can you not sign waivers over here then? I'd of though that would be the sensible solution? Attachments:
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Post by peasnbarley on Dec 19, 2011 11:55:41 GMT
Hi Josh to answer your question: In the UK the drivers are required to sign disclaimers like motor sport but that in itself does not absolve the organiser of the event from the requirement to show due care and diligence in regard to the way the event is conducted.
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Post by team-art on Dec 19, 2011 12:53:34 GMT
Hi, Thanks for that, impressive for a 8v N/A 4! I’d love to go to Bonneville. Just for the history! vimeo.com/21066666Sorry, I’ll try to answer some points in your original question. Waivers: Yes, at most events the driver does sign a waiver. But spectators don’t sign a waiver (and if the event is on public land then that is a problem). Organisers risk having to prove that they’ve done all they can to reduce risks to an acceptable(?) level. Nobody really wants to risk (and in turn their families) financial future for a Soapbox race. Yes, you can get insurance, but it will probably be of limited use if was proven in a court of law that the organisers failed to take “reasonable care(?)” Although they appear in some respects to be similar I don’t think Motor sport and Soapbox have very much in common. Motor sport is long established, almost a right, with professional organisations and strong commercial interests behind it, MSA Scrutineers and trained Marshals. Soapbox(UK) is a very very small, totally amateur sport with none of those luxuries. Cheers Rich
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Post by team-art on Dec 19, 2011 12:56:49 GMT
Hi, never mind this Soapbox stuff, what do you race at Bonneville? and we need speeds/details & pictures! Cheers Rich yer showing yer age rich, we want video !!!!!!!!! ;D Whippersnapper
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Post by peasnbarley on Dec 19, 2011 15:23:12 GMT
Is it not the case that Soapbox racing is not even officially considered as a 'Sport' as the Governing Body of Gravity Sports does not include Soapbox racing. Perhaps that's because teams are predominantly made up of whippersnappers, and don't want to go yet oldies, neither of which like the idea of conforming. ;D
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