Skip,
I have to jump in here.... I haven't been through many inspections that
haven't made me aware of some shortcomings in my car. This is one
advantage of having many different inspectors view the vehicle. Each
person looks a a car in a little different way, consequently, a
different item caught, or suggestion made. Most generally the
suggestions make sense, though I have had some that I didn't agree with.
Suggestions are just that, suggestions, not law.
I have been on the rules making committees, it is a tough job. I think
that it is impossible to make rules that are clear to everyone.
Personally I believe that quality inspectors are the answer. Also the
log is a very useful addition to our sport. Most suggestions and
infractions of the rules (unless they are major items) are logged and
the entrant is given time to address the problem.
I am not sure I understood the comment about oxygen. If you are
suggesting breathing oxygen in the race car, I have a better suggestion.
George Fields had a system that brought in air from outside the vehicle
into his helmet. A much safer idea. In case of a fire, oxygen can become
a major concern. I understand that oxygen was a major contributor to the
death of Bob Herda, years ago, involving fire.
Tom,
Skip Higginbotham wrote:
>
> Hi Team,
> Well, I have read all the rulebook comments and I'm really going to put my
> foot in it now.
> I have a basic problem with the rule book.
>
> The problem that I have is that it is designed to give the inspector too
> much latitude in interpretation. Further, changes that are made to it do
> not tend to clarify or definitize areas that cause problems during inspection.
>
> As a result (I think), for three inspections in a row, I get complained to
> about things that aren't even in the rule book and on top of that some
> inspectors who wouldn't design a streamliner that way I did try to
> influence future changes or additions to be made the way they currently do
> things in another association (type of racing). Interpretations include
> disapproval (verbally) of: Halon in the cockpit; steel rings around lug
> bolts for steel wheels; warning about my helmet which is much stronger than
> many that are allowed to run, etc. In most of this, no notes were placed in
> the log book! And no changes were made to the "book". The exception was
> Oxygen breathing systems. That was put in the book. Never mind that
> addition of oxygen to the drivers body at a density altitude of 6 to 8
> thousand feet makes perfect medical sense.
>
> I do not want to complain and complain and not do something....so.....
>
> I would like to join in the rules making process and participate in
> clarifying every section of the "book" to make it easier for the inspector
> to do his/her job. And somewhere along the way make it possible for a car
> owner/builder to have a fighting chance of making it through inspection at
> a Bonneville meet without unnecessary heartburn. Necessary heartburn caused
> by not meeting the rules, as written (not just as interpreted) is just fine.
>
> I guess that the door panel discussion just made me flip!
>
> Dan, can I help somehow?
>
> Skip in central Texas, (where the heat may have finally gotten to me).
> I'm trying to be productive here!
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