----- Original Message -----
From: "Don & Lesley McKenzie" <...>
To: <...>
Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 11:32 AM
Subject: RE: [blokart] One make racing?

Very Interesting,
I'm not competitive,
But I don't like coming second if I can help it.

There are always dollar problems,
need extra sail ($$),
I'm heavy so need stiffer mast sections to get moving, ($$)
Also need streamlining, cause I'm big = pod ($$)
And it goes on.

If we follow the one design concept then we should be more or less be on a
level playing field. There are enough variables in this one design to suit
most. There, I believe, is going to be two race classes – out of the box
standard and one design modified. But does out of the box allow for
different pulleys and cleats etc which "does not enhance 'performance'"
standard is just that, out of the box., I say it is either out of the box

or

it is not, farcical to suggest anything else. But then again these things
can be decided by the Race Committee organising the event which may
encourage participation or not.

Don't forget..... the greatest handicapping feature is the sailor's weight
in any given condition. We are currently using 6 weight categories at club
level to cover from under sevens years old to whatever age. If we were are
looking at "Standard" and "One Design Modified" race class and heaven

forbid

a bastardised Blokart class, that equates to a possibility of over12
individual races. I for one would not want to travel anywhere to sit

around

all day and maybe get 2 races. Then again electronic counters would allow
for mixed class races, increasing race frequency.

One winner – not sure on this, in a three day event. We could have two

days

of light winds, heavyweights are bummed out, didn't race even, cause of

not

enough wind. Third day strong winds, great for heavyweights, but wait...

the

lightweights and middleweights add on kgs ballast!!!, change sails yes but
adding on weight????

I could go on, oh another thing could a competitor enter a regatta once

and

then race in more than one category (after detuning etc), or should he pay
for each category entered. A Race Committee will have to have all these
issues sorted before any race event I'd say. Our club will encourage mixed
category racing but in weight divisions.

Good luck to Race Committees
Looking forward to some fast racing this year,
Regards, Don

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Rogerson [...]
Sent: Monday, 3 January 2005 10:24 p.m.
To: ...
Subject: Re: [blokart] One make racing?

I thought blokart International had already drafted modified and
non-modified rules to cover add-ons and modifications? As I understand it,
if it ain't an official blokart product, then it ain't kosher.. The one
exception was to pulleys – you can basically use what you like. Quite a
number of blokarters I know have Ronstan 'Smart Ratchet' pulleys which

don't

give any speed advantage, but lessen the effort required to pull in and

hold

the main sheet, but have the disadvantage of making it necessary to 'let
fly' when checking the sheet in a sudden gust.

Quite a few of the mods you mention sound like individual modifications

that

would fall way outside blokart International racing rules. I also suspect

we

are in danger of creating a scrutineering nightmare

----- Original Message -----
From: <...>
To: <...>
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2005 11:11 AM
Subject: [blokart] One make racing?

Hi All,

Just a disscussion, on what your opinion is on modifications. This is

for

blokart racers who compete in these wicked, one make, racing machines. To
give a bit of perspective, I will list a few mod's and we can hopefully

get

an agreement on what is acceptable.

So the fastest sailor wins, not the one with the biggest wallet.
(It maybe a bit of wallet envy)

I just want to make clear that these are not my ideas, just my opinions.

I'm raising the discussion to get scrutineering events, standarised
internationally if possible.

Should we race under the blokart rules or water sailing rules?
– I like the blokart ones.

Mainsheet ropes – Is an aftermarket pre-stretched type accepted?
– I don't mind the standard but find the prestrectch smoother and faster

reacting.

Sails – Should you be able to get your own cut, as long as it's within

size?

– Rigid wings would be fast:) but I like the blokart sails a good

combination between being rigid/fast and flexi/stretch to soften the

gusts.

Masts – full carbon one piece?
– I like the pull apart, packability.

Bearings – Ceramic or standard?
– I don't want to go down the costly ceramic slide.

Tyres – Aftermarket with size or tread variations?
– I like the Std tyres.

Cleats – Adding cleats and locking attachments?
– This is an unfair advantage in marathons, as it takes some work away

from the pilot.

Airfoils – Mudgaurds or side wings?
– Do we allow them in racing?

Where would you like the line drawn?

Cheers
Kem Brown
Gippsland Wind Sports Group
0429782687

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