Dave Gale wrote:Well done Ron!!! See how simple the wording can be? I don't usually use them either, and have no problem w/ them...It was just a wording that needed your attention!
OK, so, how 'bout the 6 wheeler debate?
Well.........now that you ask:
Eh? I have one. I made one when I saw Chappy's. And I did it just because it looked cool - kinda like what CMC said above. See? I agreed with Curt even though he didn't blow his party horn while he was racing at our NJ Outlaw race - but I digress.
Now those of you that know me also know that I am no one in the race standings - D class at best. That being said, here's what I think aboot the 666wheeler - I really don't see it as an advantage. Yes, in theory it provides more traction in the back, but realistically only on certain courses. On a GS or more likely on a Super G kinda course it MAY be an advantage. On the majority of the courses I've raced in the past few years, that translates into maybe a couple. It seems to me that the additional traction really only becomes an asset above a certain speed, at lower speeds the 6 seems a bit ungainly.
Will Chris Chaput and his 666wheeler beat Jason Mitchell or Dominick (yeah, I'll go Euro for ya'!) running GOG's and BigZigs? Prolly not - no offense Chris, you're a great guy and a great racer - but those two have screws loose, and you can't beat insane with conventional weapons.
Now remember this MY OPINION ONLY, and based on NO FACTS WHATSOEVER! But Dave asked me what I thought and since I have a tiny bit of experience with riding a 6, I thought I'd chime in.
Perhaps there could be an equipment approval committee like I said before. If Mr Chappadoodledoo would like to race his 6 or some other Weapon of Cone Destruction, he could provide a sample or prototype to The Committee for evaluation. If The Committee finds it to be safe and not a blatant advantage like an engine or nuclear device, then it's "approved for racing" - nothing more. The Committee does not encourage said item, only says that it's safe for competition.
Racers then may or may not try it. If it's truly better, then everyone will want one. This will in turn bring the price down for said item making it available to the masses...blah, blah, blah, capitalist/marketing blah.
All I'm saying is this: there's a fine line between innovation and unfair advantage. Is a 6er really an unfair advantage? Everyone CAN have/make/buy one, so I don't see it as unfair. Advantage? MAYBE - and if it is and racers embrace and use it, it becomes an innovation.
Okay, so group hug and we all get some nice jelly doughnuts and coffee
Next?