Jimi,

BTW, I saw the PIC of Santa and helper all dressed in red. Should become the standard blokart racing garb, yes? I like it.

Thanks for the feedback. I thought the dust at Ivanpah was bad but take desert dust and add salt water and its bad news for bearings. My experience on the beach was an education all around but that was the most problematic.

As for the battens at the Open, I agree we should and will eventually get close to a one design class. The problem there was NOT that only blokart battens were to be allowed. It was the lack of clarity on the interpretation of the rule as evidenced by the long line of people at the grinder after the rule was "clarified." Seems there was one group who were "absolutely sure" it read one way and another group who were "equally sure" it read the opposite. I would suggest, that in most peoples minds, THAT does not represent clarity.

From my own point of view, I would not have come to the event with anything other then blokart battens, had it been clear. In fact, I am not willing to (and neither are at least two other Americans I talked too) travel half way around the globe only to find a "last minute clarification" disallows equipment I had spent considerable time preparing and counting on to use.

To be sure, when the committee makes its final draft of an equipment document, there will lots of "scrutineering" going on around the globe with many questions on what exactly is the intent of the rules makers given their wording of said rules.
Again, I am in support of the one design concept. I am not in support of what is effectively a last minute rules change for some when it is not made crystal clear in the beginning.

Now would you like me tell everyone how I REALLY feel! :-)

Regards to all,
MM