Re: Unlimited Weight Rule
Dave, Its unfortunate that rules do get changed. I don't think it was a conspiracy on someones part to dismiss the efforts of anyone building a racer to compete in the Unlimited division. I can tell you that some things are out of our control. RARA has made it decision and until someone changes their mind or comes up with another race venue the rule will stand. I for one would love to see the division open for anyone that can muster into the 27 plane field for Sunday. I agree you could probably go by the Wildcat, but that's not really the issue here, and going by a 60 plus year old design airplane isn't a real accomplishment in my book. If you want the rules changed then I suggest entering discussions with RARA. I don't think anyone in the Unlimiteds really cares one way or the other as I don't. I have spoken to most of the guys and they really don't care. I would love to see something new scortching around the course. I'd race anything allowed given the chance. I would love to build a sport class plane and compete. Its just not the right time with this rule in place. I also think that if RARA does change their ruling on weight that the sport class planes would still not have a great venue in the Unlimiteds as only one or two spots in the bottom of the Bronze (maybe) would be open, one of which would be the Wildcat's. I don't know if that's really making a worthwhile statement for your cause. You'll have to be the judge on that. I don't know about you, but I don't like being behind anyone in a race. I can't imagine thinking bottom of the bronze as being a cool place to be. No one ever remembers second place AKA the first loser little own 27th. I agree that as the years go by we need to have change. I don't think the planes we are racing today are a viable design for later on down the road. I agree that the Sport Class really is part of the changing face of air racing. The issue will be when this change will occur. Right now there are still those that choose to whip on their 60 plus year old planes. Until someone in your group steps up and demonstrates a real advantage in speed/cost things will probably remain the same for the near future. Remember in the Unlimiteds our goal is to go fast, not sell plane kits. I think we have lost sight of what racing is all about here. Its the first guy across the finsih line and I didn' say it was easy or should be. If it were we would call it winning. If we were fishermen we would call it catching and that's just not the case.
Matt J
Dave, Its unfortunate that rules do get changed. I don't think it was a conspiracy on someones part to dismiss the efforts of anyone building a racer to compete in the Unlimited division. I can tell you that some things are out of our control. RARA has made it decision and until someone changes their mind or comes up with another race venue the rule will stand. I for one would love to see the division open for anyone that can muster into the 27 plane field for Sunday. I agree you could probably go by the Wildcat, but that's not really the issue here, and going by a 60 plus year old design airplane isn't a real accomplishment in my book. If you want the rules changed then I suggest entering discussions with RARA. I don't think anyone in the Unlimiteds really cares one way or the other as I don't. I have spoken to most of the guys and they really don't care. I would love to see something new scortching around the course. I'd race anything allowed given the chance. I would love to build a sport class plane and compete. Its just not the right time with this rule in place. I also think that if RARA does change their ruling on weight that the sport class planes would still not have a great venue in the Unlimiteds as only one or two spots in the bottom of the Bronze (maybe) would be open, one of which would be the Wildcat's. I don't know if that's really making a worthwhile statement for your cause. You'll have to be the judge on that. I don't know about you, but I don't like being behind anyone in a race. I can't imagine thinking bottom of the bronze as being a cool place to be. No one ever remembers second place AKA the first loser little own 27th. I agree that as the years go by we need to have change. I don't think the planes we are racing today are a viable design for later on down the road. I agree that the Sport Class really is part of the changing face of air racing. The issue will be when this change will occur. Right now there are still those that choose to whip on their 60 plus year old planes. Until someone in your group steps up and demonstrates a real advantage in speed/cost things will probably remain the same for the near future. Remember in the Unlimiteds our goal is to go fast, not sell plane kits. I think we have lost sight of what racing is all about here. Its the first guy across the finsih line and I didn' say it was easy or should be. If it were we would call it winning. If we were fishermen we would call it catching and that's just not the case.
Matt J
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