I have been quite up until this point on the 5.5m issue, watching intently on the dicussion.

Its actually quite ammusing watching two themes develop

Theme 1 - Allow the 5.5m sails as part of the kit as per the rules. (note these are the rules that "we" the blokarting community entrusted the IBRA to develop)

The rule is very clear as written in that it does allow them once they have been available for 3 months (which I believe was the start of Feb 08) .

The Auckland club took the sensible approach and since their post xmas season had started decided to postpone the introduction until their next season

Theme 2 - Ban them or if we are forced to have them can they be only for the super heavy weights. Interestingly the people that have suggested this so far have been the super heavies (whats the story with that, do they think they are superior so only they can use them!)

These people get even more interesting as they try to bring in all sorts of excuses in order to try to ban them.

Using Richards first analogy refering to Sean Fidler using a 5.5m up to 15knots....  "if he wins what will you all say then!"    well the answer would surely be "good on him" he managed to develop the use of the sail better than any one else. And thats a bad thing?

Then they goe on to cost. At then end of the day the cost is not that bad compared to other sports even at $8000. Find another sport that can hit 60km/hr  for under $8k. Besides this sport has gone on for a few years now (6 years ?) and this has been the only major change. We still see karts of 4 or 5 years winning, we still see sails of 4 years winning. We still see sailors who have bought 2nd hand karts winning races and we still see people spending not much and going out and having FUN. Surely $1500 is not too bad for the small percentage that actually want to be able to sail and race properly in under 12 knots

With this new sail it does virtually guarantee that we can sail every weekend, just like our (also wind dependent) friends on the water.

Subsidising 5.5m.. well that is something that could be looked at, but then again, if you subsidize it via membership fees, then the end user is paying anyway!

At the end of the day, I personally dont see the fun is just hooning around... Racing gives it the fun factor (for me any way). This sail allows us to race in lighter breeze. Other say they dont like to race in under 8 knots, as it doesnt bring skill into it.. well then why are the same people in front 80% of the time? I would be up for a rule like if the leader is scuffing it gets called off and sail in all winds. Think of it in the reverse of normal is it fair on them if they are good enough to sail the course and show that they really are the best. I say no bottom limit for a race (or maybe 4 knots), just sail and stop bitching when the people in front can sail, but you cant.

At the end of the day, they are legal for the worlds as grant pointed out. If a club was to ban them locally that fine. And Dons idea of bring out the armory for the worlds is fine too. But if the club did ban them, and we went to the worlds and got our butts kick cause we didnt know that the 5.5m was quicker in 12 to 15knots then we would look pretty dumb, considering that they were developed in our back yard with our input.

Well that was more than 2cents worth, but that TAX for you... looks like 5.5m opinions are going to hit $2 soon.

Ross

Please don't take offense to my rant... it was just that... a rant!