Question on Rules

[Auxperc]

Like to get some thoughts on this

When you look at your pack/district rules and don't see something specifically stated, do you take that as an interpretation that anything you do to gain an edge on racing is acceptable. For example:

If your rule states that all 4 wheels must be used would you consider that acceptable that you could ride on three wheels with the 4th wheel attached to a 2.5 degree axle and tuned to barely touch the ground if at all

I noticed another pack dad scrutinizing my friends sons car pushing on it and shining lights on the wheels. The quickly proceeded to look at the rules because the sons car was beating all of the other cars in the back...When I saw what they were doing they stopped quickly. However to add insult to injury the pack dads son went to my friends son stating that 3 wheels was illegal and would get him disqualified but it did not state that in the rules so it was OK

I felt it was in bad taste and against the spirit of scouting to insinuate simply because if they knew the district rules why his car and not any of the others? Targeted because of success? I know my friend and how much time he puts in to research and effort to build the fastest car possible within the rules. I wanted to say something but to my friends credit he let it go because he knew the rules and knew this person would more than likely be up to something like this so he was prepared anyway

 

[Pinewood Outlaw]

My thoughts are if it isn't listed as NOT ALLOWED...NOT PERMITTED...ILLEGAL then you have a right to argue your car is legal.

Dad's shouldn't be looking at other cars unless they are the Race Inspector.

If it says 4 wheels must be used.....you are using 4 with a rail runner with raised wheel.

 

[Auxperc]

My thoughts are if it isn't listed as NOT ALLOWED...NOT PERMITTED...ILLEGAL then you have a right to argue your car is legal.

Dad's shouldn't be looking at other cars unless they are the Race Inspector.

If it says 4 wheels must be used.....you are using 4 with a rail runner with raised wheel.

Thanks for the response. I appreciate the validation. I will share the response so he could pass along to his son. M

My thoughts are if it isn't listed as NOT ALLOWED...NOT PERMITTED...ILLEGAL then you have a right to argue your car is legal.

Dad's shouldn't be looking at other cars unless they are the Race Inspector.

If it says 4 wheels must be used.....you are using 4 with a rail runner with raised wheel.

awesome! Appreciate the feedback

 

[Pinewood Outlaw]

unless of course the rules specifically state that ALL 4 WHEELS MUST TOUCH TRACK.......but if they don't then your standard rail runner car is legal. I like it whenever I see a rule stated one way, and then somebody else tries to tell me "well it says this but what it really means is this"......I say NO. Rules are to be written literally IMO, there should be none of this does it mean this or that. I had a dad try to argue that my son's car was illegal once because he used Krytox. He claimed the rules said it wasn't allowed. Rules stated under the Lubrication section: Dry lubes such as graphite may be used. In the next section of the rules was a list of PROHIBITED ITEMS....nothing there about krytox. So when said dad wanted to argue I pointed out that the rule said dry lube MAY be used it didn't say that was the only type allowed...then to further prove my point I pointed out the section of PROHIBITED ITEMS and since oil lubes were not listed there then by omission the rules as they were written allowed the use of krytox lol... race officials agreed with me but the following year they re wrote the rules with more clairty....oh and btw they ended up stateding that oil lubes were allowed lol.

 

[Racing358t]

Spot on Pinewood Outlaw. There are not implied rules. And I will defend that position if put in it.

Scott

 

[Brian Stanley]

Spot on Pinewood Outlaw. There are not implied rules. And I will defend that position if put in it.

Scott

I completely agree. I just hope you and I never run up against against a race official who has the final word, and likes to interpret things ("It just ain't right")

 

[Racing358t]

Me too!