2010 & Beyond Update of XWC, EFS XI & EFS TEAMS

[Breaker Brother]

I spoke to Dave at length on this topic on Monday to clarify some questions of my own and sound out his ideas.

My racing background includes Circuit racing (Tasman Truck series, Sports sedan and modified production ) Speedway, (Saloon and fenders) Drag racing (Street, Bracket and outlaws). I'm an accredited Cams marshal/Official and soon to be under CCDA as well. Now in any of these sports/classes there are rules such as Dave is trying to implement.


Plenty of mention has been made of the V8 Supercars as examples, lets take a look at that, Engines are rev limited to 7000 something RPM, Capcity limited, tyres are controlled, so are aerodynamic aids, floorpan designs. none of these have anything to do with "Keeping costs down" but to reduce race speeds to a safer level. it was for this reason the Chicane was added on the bottom section of Conrod straight. Formula 1 has done the same, reducing the aerodynamic wing's surface area and changing track layouts so there are less long straights.

Now please bear with me as I explain my Views.

As to the limitations on engines, guards etc, there's two issues here one the first as I've mentioned is safety, The other is keeping the racing competitive.

Personally I've witnessed two fatalities in motor racing and seen many more close calls, the two fatalities were both caused by the same two reasons, the first was excessive speed, the second was due to them poorly thought out events.

With regards to engines:
Now Winch challenge trucks have what I would consider to be a bare minimum with regards to cage requirements, in fact those requirements would get you kicked out of an Andra race track if you ran faster than an 11:59 1/4 mile, yet they are capable of doing 160kph+ speeds in uncontrolled areas with no safety walls, nets or barriers.
In fact a lot of these events the terrain being driven is plain dangerous. I've been in a high speed accident, and walked away, but I hit a wall, if it'd been a tree on a 30 degree cross slope, I probably wouldn't be here today.

With regards to fenders, bonnets etc.
This again comes down to safety, may of you have mentioned how spectators are going to miss out, but I'd like to remind you of how stupid spectators can be, time and time again I've seen the move into a dangerous area to get a better look despite repeatedly being told to move.
At Cliffhanger this year we had 3 young fellas, drinking grog, hiding in the bushes less than 6 feet off the track in a high speed night stage. now had one of the guys gone off the course (God Forbid) they would have been hit. Dave is bringing in these rules for the same reason cams has them, safety, both for the guys competing (in the case of a collision) and for those watching and stupid/pissed/unlucky enough to get hit

There has to be as Dave has said a line drawn in the sand, he's drawn it and cudos to him for holding to his guns. I don't want to see these events get shitcanned because they can't get public Liability insurance because of an fatal accident that could have been avoided.

Now me, I was going to build a 355 stroker to repower my hilux for next years comps, but in light of the new rules I'm now going to build up an LS2 and yes I'm putting my whipple on it.
Why ? not because I'm rich, my truck is a fairly budget piece of kit, but because I can. even with the penalties I think it's a worthwhile investment, I'll be running a stock highmount with a 6hp motor on it as I don't think that penalty is worth it. do I expect to win? Hell no, but I plan on having a lot of fun trying.

something I think more people should focus on, if you want to run a blown LS2....run it, if you want to spend 40K on a TD42.....spend it. if you want to run a Stock 3L in a lux....Run it, at the end of the day it's about the racing. being in it is 95% of the reason we do it. build your truck how you see fit and compete by the rules or find another way around them.

As for having another class, yeah I'm all for that if you want, but safety needs to be addressed, minimum 12 point FIA style cage, on board extinguisher system, 2 or 3 layer race suits, 5 point harneses & Neck braces.

Then watch your navi take a total of 10 minutes getting in and out of the car on each stage. makes a 25 point penalty look good doesn't it ?

[sswaffie]

Breaker Brother. Looking at your point of views they contridict eachother a bit there,
if dave was making these changes to make it safer he should ban/not allow, (DRAW THE LINE IN THE SAND as you all call it) these modifications or some of them. One or the other not half way in the sand . This may already be in process ... i dont know ?? But until then just have 2 diffrent classes and be more strict on rollcages, harnesses etc .I Personally have been in 2 major rolls in my comp truck on at speed and one on a large hill and the roll on the hill did twice as much damage but we were all good both times due to the good roll cage in place, Lets face it we are not out there to play marbles and there is a lot more fatilities on the Road than all of the comps in the world put together

As for not expecting to win. Hell NO, but your going to try though ,which means yes everyone dreams to do well in these comps

As For spectators well they might be a pain in the arse but we all need them to make the sport grow , i was a spectator at the rocky 06 XWC and here were these mad ass comp trucks racing im talking the manny's ,the Swindale's , the Bobby D 's , and the Sternback .I left that comp purley gobbsmacked i Had to be in there competing !!! So it started... Hours and hours countless hours and still countless hours and yes money and a bit more money , but racing the car, with my best mate is my passion and thats what i like doing .SO WE CANT take the spectators out of the equasion like hobbsy is trying to, some of them are a pain but a lot of them dream to be in the sport to , they could be the next competitor!

Any way i must get some work done.....
Swaffie

[digsy]

Thanks Dave for your very informative answers. I appreciate it and understand the situation from your point of veiw alot more now...

I appreciate that it would have taken you some time to write that and appologies for calling you metcalf rather than dave... I just called you that so everyone knew who I was talking about, no disrespect meant.

Like I said I'll still love your events and still come to watch when it's in Rocky.

Thanks all for listening to my rants...

[XTREME MMM]

Thanks Dave for your very informative answers. I appreciate it and understand the situation from your point of veiw alot more now...

I appreciate that it would have taken you some time to write that and appologies for calling you metcalf rather than dave... I just called you that so everyone knew who I was talking about, no disrespect meant.

Like I said I'll still love your events and still come to watch when it's in Rocky.

Thanks all for listening to my rants...

No offence taken at all.

Just a bit of useless info. Back many years ago when I was young calling someone by their surname was a real offence unless Mister was first. Them were fighting words.

I now get called that a lot, it started in Malaysia in 98. Reason being is over there the family name is first & your given name was last, hence getting called Metcalfe alot. I now treat that as common and a lot of my friends both in Malaysia & here now call me that with no disrespect meant. So in a very tense moment you are better of calling people by their first name or "mate".

So I now go by:- David, MMM & those that are close sometimes Metcalfe.

Cheers
David

[tufenuf]

With regards to engines:
Now Winch challenge trucks have what I would consider to be a bare minimum with regards to cage requirements, in fact those requirements would get you kicked out of an Andra race track if you ran faster than an 11:59 1/4 mile, yet they are capable of doing 160kph+ speeds in uncontrolled areas with no safety walls, nets or barriers.
In fact a lot of these events the terrain being driven is plain dangerous. I've been in a high speed accident, and walked away, but I hit a wall, if it'd been a tree on a 30 degree cross slope, I probably wouldn't be here today.

mate ill have a look at my andra book tonight but im positive no roll bar is needed untill 10.99 which it is a 4 point then under 9.99 is a 6 point, my patrol had a 8 point cage, i also had a pretty high speed crash which i did hit a tree and both my navi and i came out unhurt, although i have said this many times, window net attached to doors and not roll cages is dangerous