Monday, 18 December 2006
Hi Grant,
I have some time on my hands so I thought I would contribute – apologies for personal references to your karting ability
On the issue of even playing fields – please don’t regulate out all the mystery!
I am not afraid to admit that I would love to have a secret technical advantage to make up for my inefficiencies as a sailor which would guarantee I would always beat you! Hence lately my being a blokart dealers dream customer – always first to purchase new design wheels and tyres, extra carbons etc.
Swapping karts with Russell on Sunday clearly demonstrated to me that this sport is as much about the tools as it is about the technique. Both require skill and exist in Blokarting Racing as a symbiotic relationship.
The challenge which I am enjoying immensely is trying to maximise both.
This is not what your nemesis, Jenny, would say – she has very little input into her kart tuning except to tell me in no uncertain terms when it feels wrong. But – guess what – I got great pleasure when she and her really old black kart with modified battens and careful choice of carbons was able to beat you in your shiny new stainless rocket with standard battens. Was that her skill as a sailor or mine as the mechanic or you being a gentleman?
The really great and special thing about blokarting is we never really know – so we keep coming back trying to find out.
What does standardisation really mean?
If there is a strong voice for standardisation in championship racing then lets not have any doubt as what this can only mean – it means all racers in brand new karts and sails out of the box which have been carefully measured for accurate alignment. Then, like they do with the horses, riders are weighted to reach the top weight within their classes. This is entirely feasible if B/K International and BIA want this. Build 20 to 30 karts and lease out the karts for each race to the racers on a draw system. Say $10.00 a race – much cheaper than airfreight! The raced karts will be quite saleable after the series – or even could be reserved as a fleet for other events. Appoint a fleet manager and small team to check tyre pressure, batten tension and do sail changes if required and lock up the karts at night.
Standardisation can not possibly, even remotely, mean new karts racing against old, stainless against powdercoat, white and black sails against commercially available coloured ones, different versions of axels, front wheels, bearings and tyres.
So to stir the pot (as you know I am want to do occasionally) I close with this comment
How does a bit of batten shaping or bearing tinkering even get into the conversation when you can not honestly consider the karts as truly “one design”?
Rgds
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
I’m glad you raised these points, particularly the “Olympic” concept of one design. You are not alone. And I’m sure blokart international would be interested in embracing this! Meanwhile we need something that everyone can abide by. Can we actually tell what is or isn’t a blokart™ batten? Will we start blueprinting them?
I too enjoy a bit of mystery about what makes a kart go fast too – and I might just get out my secret weapon (blokart #110) to give Jenny a run for her money (we’ll, mine actually – all $2 of it for the challenge!). But perhaps you had better get Jenny to check the latest twilight scratch results and see how she rates her chances. Perhaps there is a pattern in my wins and loses?
But what really counts is consistency – look at the winners – is that their secret! There is mystery to burn. And as to where the skill and cultured gentlemen are (were) – we’ll – only time will tell! Feeling good about the kart wins races – look at Jenny, Alex and I suspect Haydn!
I don’t have an answer with your poser: “How does a bit of batten shaping or bearing tinkering even get into the conversation when you can not honestly consider the karts as truly “one design”?”
Shades of grey?
Grant2
From: Bruce Hales [mailto:(Address removed)]
Sent: Monday, 18 December 2006 1:48 p.m.
To: (Address removed)
Subject: RE: [blokart] Blokart Bearings, salt water and sand
Hi Grant,
I have some time on my hands so I thought I would contribute – apologies for personal references to your karting ability
On the issue of even playing fields – please don’t regulate out all the mystery!
I am not afraid to admit that I would love to have a secret technical advantage to make up for my inefficiencies as a sailor which would guarantee I would always beat you! Hence lately my being a blokart dealers dream customer – always first to purchase new design wheels and tyres,
extra carbons etc.
Swapping karts
with Russell on Sunday clearly demonstrated to me that this sport is as much about the tools as it is about the technique. Both require skill and exist in Blokarting Racing as a symbiotic relationship.
The challenge which I am enjoying immensely is trying to maximise both.
This is not what your nemesis, Jenny, would say – she has very little input into her kart tuning except to tell me in no uncertain terms when it feels wrong. But – guess what – I got great pleasure when she and her really old black kart with modified battens and careful choice of carbons was able to beat you in your shiny new stainless rocket with standard battens. Was that her skill as a sailor or mine as the mechanic or you being a gentleman?
The really great and special thing about blokarting is we never really know – so we keep coming back trying to find out.
What does standardisation really mean?
If there is a strong voice for standardisation in championship racing then lets not have any doubt as what this can only mean – it means all racers in brand new karts and sails out of the box which have been carefully measured for accurate alignment. Then, like they do with the horses, riders are weighted to reach the top weight within their classes. This is entirely feasible if B/K International and BIA want this. Build 20 to 30 karts and lease out the karts for each race to the racers on a draw system. Say $10.00 a race – much cheaper than airfreight! The raced karts will be quite saleable after the series – or even could be reserved as a fleet for other events. Appoint a fleet manager and small team to check tyre pressure, batten tension and do sail changes if required and lock up the karts at night.
Standardisation can not possibly, even remotely, mean new karts racing against old, stainless against powdercoat, white and black sails against commercially available coloured ones, different versions of axels, front wheels, bearings and tyres.
So to stir the pot (as you know I am want to do occasionally) I close with this comment
How does a bit of batten shaping or bearing tinkering even get into the conversation when you can not honestly consider the karts as truly “one design”?
Rgds
Bruce
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I agree with the 1 Design ruling so as to keep the sport on a level playing field, but I hope this sport does not become bound by the politics of rules that the fun goes from the sport.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce Hales [mailto:(Address removed)]
Sent: Monday, 18 December 2006 1:48 p.m.
To: (Address removed)
Subject: RE: [blokart] Blokart Bearings, salt water and sand
Hi Grant,
I have some time on my hands so I thought I would contribute – apologies for personal references to your karting ability
On the issue of even playing fields – please don’t regulate out all the mystery!
I am not afraid to admit that I would love to have a secret technical advantage to make up for my inefficiencies as a sailor which would guarantee I would always beat you! Hence lately my being a blokart dealers dream customer – always first to purchase new design wheels and tyres,
extra carbons etc.
Swapping karts
with Russell on Sunday clearly demonstrated to me that this sport is as much about the tools as it is about the technique. Both require skill and exist in Blokarting Racing as a symbiotic relationship.
The challenge which I am enjoying immensely is trying to maximise both.
This is not what your nemesis, Jenny, would say – she has very little input into her kart tuning except to tell me in no uncertain terms when it feels wrong. But – guess what – I got great pleasure when she and her really old black kart with modified battens and careful choice of carbons was able to beat you in your shiny new stainless rocket with standard battens. Was that her skill as a sailor or mine as the mechanic or you being a gentleman?
The really great and special thing about blokarting is we never really know – so we keep coming back trying to find out.
What does standardisation really mean?
If there is a strong voice for standardisation in championship racing then lets not have any doubt as what this can only mean – it means all racers in brand new karts and sails out of the box which have been carefully measured for accurate alignment. Then, like they do with the horses, riders are weighted to reach the top weight within their classes. This is entirely feasible if B/K International and BIA want this. Build 20 to 30 karts and lease out the karts for each race to the racers on a draw system. Say $10.00 a race – much cheaper than airfreight! The raced karts will be quite saleable after the series – or even could be reserved as a fleet for other events. Appoint a fleet manager and small team to check tyre pressure, batten tension and do sail changes if required and lock up the karts at night.
Standardisation can not possibly, even remotely, mean new karts racing against old, stainless against powdercoat, white and black sails against commercially available coloured ones, different versions of axels, front wheels, bearings and tyres.
So to stir the pot (as you know I am want to do occasionally) I close with this comment
How does a bit of batten shaping or bearing tinkering even get into the conversation when you can not honestly consider the karts as truly “one design”?
Rgds
Bruce
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El Zorro
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Hi all,
I am currently updating the usersgroups for blokart.com and was wondering if anyone knows where the other groups have gone. I have blokart NZ, blokart Europe and blokart Netherlands from mailspaces and blokart Uk from yahoo but I would like to update blokart USA, blokart Australia, blokart Ireland, blokart Canada, blokart South Africa if you know what happened to these usergroups or any others that should be considered for adding please reply.
Cheers
Richard
Hi Mike,
The 2006 blokart front wheel has been developed to carry a hubcap over the wheel nut that’s what you saw on some front wheels at the nz open.
Jono Craig
Research & Development
blokart international ltd.
07 572 4256
From:(Address removed) [mailto:(Address removed)]
Sent: Monday, 18 December 2006 11:11 a.m.
To: (Address removed)
Subject: Re: [blokart] Blokart Bearings, salt water and sand
<< black cape and ftat-brimmed hat! >>
Grant,
Add a rapier and black eye mask and you have the makings of a "B" movie remake. (B is for "Bad" or "Blokart" -- your choice)
As for the world of blokart, I am as much a tinkerer as anyone as I believe innovation is the life blood for a good idea to keep moving forward. And I believe blokart has and continues to do that. I think that is a GOOD thing. For every 10 ideas MAYBE ONE will actually be useful.
The issue of course is not the equipment itself, because as we go down the road, we are all going to end up at the same place anyway as far as hardware is concerned. That is the essence of one design. However, for one design to actually work, the people involved not only must have a CLEAR understanding of the criteria but that understanding must MATCH the understanding of everyone else. (or at least come real close) So it matters little what the criteria is, but more important that we are on the SAME PAGE.
Keep at it, the committee is on the right path.
Enough of my blah, blah, blah, I'm going B-karting.
Pray for smooth ice!
MM
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From: Garry [mailto:(Address removed)]
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 3:52 PM
To: (Address removed)
Subject: RE: [blokart] Blokart Bearings, salt water and sand
----- Original Message -----From: GarrySent: Monday, December 18, 2006 3:51 PMSubject: RE: [blokart] Blokart Bearings, salt water and sand
Dave,
From my understanding all blokart battens are made to the same specification but they are hand sanded so there is slight variations in each batten. The specification has changed on one occasion in the past and this is very obvious as the newer battens are black and the older ones are grey and over 3 yrs old. I am sure you will see more consistent battens in the future. Just my 2 cents.
Cheers
Richard
From: Dave Personal [mailto:(Address removed)]
Sent: Monday, 18 December 2006 4:47 p.m.
To: (Address removed)
Subject: RE: [blokart] Blokart Bearings, salt water and sand
From my observations and personal experience, even standard Blokart battens perform differently from Blokart to Blokart. Are they truly built and shaped to the exact same specifications?
My 2 cents worth. Or is that now 10 cents?
Dave
From: Garry [mailto:(Address removed)]
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 3:52 PM
To: (Address removed)
Subject: RE: [blokart] Blokart Bearings, salt water and sand
I agree with the 1 Design ruling so as to keep the sport on a level playing field, but I hope this sport does not become bound by the politics of rules that the fun goes from the sport.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce Hales [mailto:(Address removed)]
Sent: Monday, 18 December 2006 1:48 p.m.
To: (Address removed)
Subject: RE: [blokart] Blokart Bearings, salt water and sand
Hi Grant,
I have some time on my hands so I thought I would contribute – apologies for personal references to your karting ability
On the issue of even playing fields – please don’t regulate out all the mystery!
I am not afraid to admit that I would love to have a secret technical advantage to make up for my inefficiencies as a sailor which would guarantee I would always beat you! Hence lately my being a blokart dealers dream customer – always first to purchase new design wheels and tyres,
extra carbons etc.
Swapping karts
with Russell on Sunday clearly demonstrated to me that this sport is as much about the tools as it is about the technique. Both require skill and exist in Blokarting Racing as a symbiotic relationship.
The challenge which I am enjoying immensely is trying to maximise both.
This is not what your nemesis, Jenny, would say – she has very little input into her kart tuning except to tell me in no uncertain terms when it feels wrong. But – guess what – I got great pleasure when she and her really old black kart with modified battens and careful choice of carbons was able to beat you in your shiny new stainless rocket with standard battens. Was that her skill as a sailor or mine as the mechanic or you being a gentleman?
The really great and special thing about blokarting is we never really know – so we keep coming back trying to find out.
What does standardisation really mean?
If there is a strong voice for standardisation in championship racing then lets not have any doubt as what this can only mean – it means all racers in brand new karts and sails out of the box which have been carefully measured for accurate alignment. Then, like they do with the horses, riders are weighted to reach the top weight within their classes. This is entirely feasible if B/K International and BIA want this. Build 20 to 30 karts and lease out the karts for each race to the racers on a draw system. Say $10.00 a race – much cheaper than airfreight! The raced karts will be quite saleable after the series – or even could be reserved as a fleet for other events. Appoint a fleet manager and small team to check tyre pressure, batten tension and do sail changes if required and lock up the karts at night.
Standardisation can not possibly, even remotely, mean new karts racing against old, stainless against powdercoat, white and black sails against commercially available coloured ones, different versions of axels, front wheels, bearings and tyres.
So to stir the pot (as you know I am want to do occasionally) I close with this comment
How does a bit of batten shaping or bearing tinkering even get into the conversation when you can not honestly consider the karts as truly “one design”?
Rgds
Bruce
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In reply to
· RE: Blokart Bearings, salt water and sand
El Zorro
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I think the US use class action racing website for their messages
-----Original Message-----
From: Russell Harray [mailto:(Address removed)]
Sent: Monday, 18 December 2006 17:32
To: (Address removed)
Subject: [blokart] one design
Don't bother Allan, I have a new and innovative method for dealing with obstructions! You will see!
Allan Levet <(Address removed)> said:
I think removable road spikes will be the only answer to catching up
with Haydn!-----Original Message-----
From: Russell Harray [(Address removed)]
Sent: Monday, 18 December 2006 17:32
To: (Address removed)
Subject: [blokart] one designInteresting comments from Bruce about one design and right in saying
that the blokarts are not actually one design because of the age
difference and types of wheels, axles, tyres etc. But they are close
enough so that a sailor will make the difference if the basics are
followed. The old blokarts still go well if kept up to date with the new
carbon sections (not necessarily 5) and a half decent sail. Remember
Bruce the blokart you borrowed was number ??? under 999, (4 years old?)
and the one Marg was sailing and going just as fast was older again but
both had shaved battens but I don't use 5 carbons. For sail battens, I
did have to spend quite a bit of time sanding at the NZ open to get a
legal set for Marg and I. Not that anyone could have told the difference
if I had taken the end pieces off as they were exactly the same profile
as blokart ones just brought second hand through a windsurf shop at a
quarter the price. I now have the same set but made up of old battens
from Blokart international instead, no slower and no faster, just
cheaper which means I could experiment a bit more and throw away the
mistakes.
If we want a true contest then each person sailing a different blokart
for each race would be the answer but I know most people want to keep
their own developments and "mystery" to themselves otherwise they would
be detuning them prior to handing on to the next person. And who wants
to lend their blokart for a hard out race?? Been there, done that.
Have a set of guidelines to work within is the answer with a little room
for development (good for the sport) but keeping them as equal as
possible for one design racing.
Might have to spend Xmas redesigning something to catch Haydn!Russell
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From: Richard Harrison [mailto:(Address removed)]
Sent: maandag 18 december 2006 4:30
To: (Address removed)
Subject: [blokart] Other usergroups
Hi Angelique,
I understand another Richard will be in contact with you shortly if he has not already been in contact. He is the Admin person for our NZ blokart list and the best person to help you.
Cheers
Richard Harrison
From: Angelique Cornet [mailto:(Address removed)]
Sent: Monday, 18 December 2006 9:23 p.m.
To: (Address removed)
Subject: RE: [blokart] Other usergroups
Hi Richard,
We don't know each other but I have an important question for you concerning the mailspaces.
We at BBIZZ are the european distributor for blokart. Therefore I always was in charge of the smartgroups. I have seen your succesfull way of transferring the new zealand smartgroup into the mailspaces smartgroup and am impressed by the way it looks and works. I have been trying for a few days now to get my own groups up and running but I don't even succeed in having the start page look like yours....
I am the owner of blokart europe (this group is successfully transferred from smartgroups)
and I am also the owner of blokart nederland (mysteriously this group is not transferred, so probably has to start all over again) I do have the memberlist though (containing about 190 members)
I was wondering if you can help me to get the groups started, and looking like blokart NZ. As in your country the european users are really missing their usergroup and I want to get it fixed.
So if you would be so kind to help me, please let me know.
I hope to hear from you soon,
AngeliqueCornet
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From: Richard Harrison [mailto:(Address removed)]
Sent: maandag 18 december 2006 4:30
To: (Address removed)
Subject: [blokart] Other usergroups
Hi all,
I am currently updating the usersgroups for blokart.com and was wondering if anyone knows where the other groups have gone. I have blokart NZ, blokart Europe and blokart Netherlands from mailspaces and blokart Uk from yahoo but I would like to update blokart USA, blokart Australia, blokart Ireland, blokart Canada, blokart South Africa if you know what happened to these usergroups or any others that should be considered for adding please reply.
Cheers
Richard
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here's looking back at you allPB
I'll second that Russell.
Smartgroups USA sort of got replaced by default about a year ago. Not much traffic. So as near as I can tell, most hang out now at classactionracing.com
Cheers,
MM
In a message dated 12/17/06 9:48:57 PM Eastern Standard Time, (Address removed) writes:
<< cultured gentlemen >>?
Grant,
Careful using cuss words like that. Some may take offense.
MM
Jono,
Thanks for clearing that up for me. Any plans to adapt that to the rears? My limited experience on the beach seems to indicate they might be most helpful.
MM
From: Paul [mailto:(Address removed)]
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 10:00 AM
To: (Address removed)
Subject: RE: [blokart] one design
In a message dated 12/18/06 4:01:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, (Address removed) writes:
<< The 1 design aspect has no bearing on the age of the machine. The SPIRIT
of the machine is that we essentially "Do" have a common machine with an
ability to personalise some aspects. >>
Paul has hit on the reality of one design. In sailboat racing, the Laser class is accepted as one design racing. However, at a Laser regatta, one can show up with a 30 year old Laser, or a 30 day old Laser. There are differences just because of the age of the two hulls. It is also generally accepted the guy with the new boat has an advantage. Until the guy in the old boat beats him. Then suddenly its sailing ability and not the equipment.
There will always be equipment tweakers (not a cuss word Grant!) like me and others. But in the end, technology MAYBE gives about a 1% advantage. One bad start, and that 1% will not save your race.
MM
