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Re: BBC Race Day Results

Blokart User 12 May 2008 21:10



Hi Bruce and all,
Good call Bruce. Yes I like the KISS principle also. Some more points to add.
 
1/The 5.5 was developed at the request of Blokart sailors, mostly from the US where they started building their own so they could sail 40% more of the time.
 
2/It is a Blokart designed and developed accessory, and compliments the existing range of sails. Yes it is probably more suited to us FB's but I know heavys and middles who prefer them in some conditions. Top US sailor, Sean Fidler, who is a middle weight, sails with his right up to 15 knots in some conditions and some tracks. They (the US guys) absolutely love them.
 
3/ Adding the 5.5 to the range, to me, only adds to the choices that one can make and 'making the choice' and all the banter and discussion that goes with it, is part of the fun of Blokarting. For the sport to grow, and keep our enthusiasm, constant R&D is required. We're getting that. Let's be greatful!
 
4/ Re the windspeed, ie 8 knots sustained for minimum of 10 minutes, yes in principal I agree, but given that, then at the European Champs in Belgium and Aussie open at Yepoon last year and the PACRIM at Lake LeFroy the year before , we would not have had half the races we did (in some cases no races at all), because it could suddenly drop to 5 -6 knots or less for a short time, then back up to 10 or more knots very soon after but a full 8 for 10 was very hard to get. It was just the nature of the type of wind we had.
 
5/ What I am saying is don't rule yourselves out of having some great racing just because you can't get 8 knots continuous for 10 minutes, but look at the general habit of the wind at the time and make the call from that. In the event of complete wind loss during the race, which we all know about and have been frustrated by, then my call would be that when the leading Blokart comes to a complete stop or needs to scuff tyres to keep going, then that's the race over. KISS?? 
 
Now, all of this, I'm sure you all know, has got nothing to do with the fact I have got a 5.5.
 
 Happy Blokarting,
 
Regards,
 
Theo
 
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