>
> Here is a copy of a message sent to Denver. Thought this may be a change
> of pace for the usual topics on this list ;-)
>
> KJ
>
> ----------
> > From: Kendall F Jones <mrjones2@ix.netcom.com>
> > To: rallysolo@compuserve.com
> > Subject: Spridget in DP / rule clarification
> > Date: Monday, January 04, 1999 5:20 PM
> >
> > Please forward this to the appropriate persons..
> >
> > I am writing this in the hopes of shedding some light on the current
> rules
> > & proposing some ideas for keeping things "fair" in the D Prepared
class.
> >
> > Here's the background: I drive a Midget in DP. The 1998 nationals
were
> my
> > second time out to Topeka. So, I still consider myself relatively new
to
> > national competition - sort of an "intermediate" in experience. An
> > incident happened this year at Nationals which is still bothering me
> (thus
> > the cause for the letter).
> >
> > I was in impound on the second day of competition, when I noticed the
> > midget owned by the Imbeau's had a "Big Valve Head". I checked with
some
> > of the other drivers to confirm my suspicions - and yep, they had a
head
> > never designed (or existed) in a midget (and alternate heads are not
> > allowed). I mentioned this to the owner, who then just walked away.
> Fine,
> > I tried to lodge a protest; but as we all know, you can't protest after
> the
> > 1st run of the second day. Now, why didn't I notice this on the first
> > day?? I am still asking myself the same question (I coned every run on
> the
> > 1st day, I was not in the best of spirits). Now, here are my questions
&
> > comments:
> >
> > 1) Why is there even an impound on the second day of competition? What
> > purpose does the 1st run of the second day rule serve? What if the
> Imbeaus
> > changed heads between days? (I'm not sure if they did, but I would have
> not
> > noticed this by the end of the 1st run in the second day) The protest
> > "committee" at Nationals seem very pleased (and relieved) with this
rule,
> > as it was a way out for them. They could offer no explanation or
> > clarification. If anyone can enlighten me to the original intent of
> this,
> > I will listen. I can fully understand that a protest cannot be allowed
> > AFTER impound, but the current rule needs some definition. Because of
> the
> > current rule, the SCCA awarded 2 trophies to cheaters (And yes, they
> > actually walked across the stage to pick them up)
> >
> > 2) Spridget legality. The head that the Imbeaus had put on their car
was
> > from a 1275 Austin Mini Cooper. In addition to the larger valves, this
> > head has provisions for 11 head bolts as compared to the 9 bolts in the
> > spridget's head. The Imbeaus would have had to modify their block to
> > accept the 11 bolt head. When I mentioned this to several mini /
> spridget
> > engine builders after the fact; they seemed confused on why the Imbeaus
> had
> > gone through so much trouble. You can, apparently, modify the 9 bolt
> > spridget head to fit the larger valves of the Mini Cooper. This means
> you
> > can have a 9 bolt "Big Valve Head". This _really_ bothers me. I have
> > heard the argument that the larger valves don't flow any better - I say
> > baloney! Look how much quicker the Imbeaus were on the second day - the
> > "Horsepower" course. My recommendations would be to either allow the
> > alternate valves/head on the spridgets - OR - pull the heads on the top
> > three finishing spridgets & measure the valve sizes. This is National
> > Competition, they do it in roadracing.
> >
> > I am actually thinking of allocating part of my race budget for protest
/
> > engine teardown. I have no idea how else to resolve this. I am eager
to
> > hear any other ideas on the subject.
> >
> > Kendall Jones
> > #29 DP Midget
> >
> > PS - On the matter of the Baby Grands in DP. I am against this. I can
> > barely keep tabs on the competitor's cars that I know (spridgets). How
> > will I be able see if a Baby Grand is cheating? Please put them in
> > Modified - They can run tires that are not made of concrete & have fun.
> >
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