Drive dog out past the transom?

[jevmax]

In the "final" version of the rules for 1/8th scale hydros at MC6, exactly how far beyond the transom can the prop drive dog extend?

[David Hajj]

Jim,

That is the million dallor question. I would
like to know a final answer too for my future
1/8th.

David

[K.R.Joye]

The nitro drive dog rule is Not Applicable for MC6/Nats but Remember the strut must exit thru the bottom or like the real boat. Voted on last MMEU meeting.:D

[Paul]

Hey Guys,

Your best bet would be to set the strut up so that the drive dog is just even with the transom. In other words looking straight down the transom all you see is the prop. Doing it that way (IMPBA rules) you'll be legal no mater what happens in the future. (like running with nitro guys:D )

Paul.

[jevmax]

Paul,
Agreed. I'll put it flush with the transom, to avoid any controversy.
Thanks!

[K.R.Joye]

I doubt you'll get any controversy running 1/8th FE per MC6 rules. CAFE is the only other possible 1/8th race on the calender and they'll probably adopt MC6 rules.
My prediction: This fall NAMBA will be petitioned to add MC6 FE 1/8th rules to the ballot. Next season they should will be adopted for FE competition.:D

[Jay Turner]

Will this constant addition of new official NAMBA classes never stop? We already have too many, with more being added every year. I don't doubt that 1/8th scale is a wonderful class that everyone will embrace, but we need to reduce the number of official classes guys. Does every new idea have to become an official NAMBA class? My answer - of course not. Handle them like MC-5 did, as club offerings (N2 Sport Hydro, 1/8th Scale, etc.).

Let's root out a bunch of classes which no longer have support. If in the future someone wants to re-introduce one of them fine, that gives a great opportunity to make coherent rules. We should cap the total number of official NAMBA classes.

Suggestions for elimination:
M-2 Hydro - no support except at Nats and SAWs
M-2 Mono - no support except at Nats and SAWs
OPC - no support , oval record is 5+ years old
T Hydro - no support, not even an oval record
T Mono - no support, not even an oval record
Crackerbox - an outdated idea that is NOT a beginner's class
Eco - what?

It's a start. Remember, if a certain class is popular in just one area, the clubs there can still run it as a club class, not an official NAMBA class....as many clubs do now.

[AndyKunz]

Jay and I are now buddies!

I agree with him 100% (on this topic at least :D ) and would add more classes to the list.

I could easily go so far as to suggest that we put together a proposal for the next vote worded so that we delete ALL classes which do not garner more than 50% "YES WE REGULARLY RUN THIS CLASS AT OUR CLUB" votes. Kind of like a line-item veto.

In other words, start from (almost) scratch.

Now THAT ought to start some posts...

Andy

[eddieh]

Originally posted by AndyKunz
Jay and I are now buddies!

I agree with him 100% (on this topic at least :D ) and would add more classes to the list.

I could easily go so far as to suggest that we put together a proposal for the next vote worded so that we delete ALL classes which do not garner more than 50% "YES WE REGULARLY RUN THIS CLASS AT OUR CLUB" votes. Kind of like a line-item veto.

In other words, start from (almost) scratch.

Now THAT ought to start some posts...

Andy

well as a newb, I guess I can go along with that to get rid of some classes that are outdated or modify the ones that have little relevance to todays club racing... but I don't think by just blasting out a statement that there are too many classes....... nothing new.. well that seems to hobble the horse as it were, I would like to see more classes for folks wanting to get there feet wet, I am not talking 05 cans and 6 cells, but more like the lhs, a 700 and 12 cells, hmmm 1/6-1/8th scale crackerbox? lol don't they run an lso out in wisconsin?? that interests me and actually even a couple of the older former namba racers in my club, aren't they running older taifuns with 12 cells and a 700 some wheres???.... I dunno, sounds like they just want to have fun on a budget, that works, yes every racer needs to try to keep going up for the top ring, and they will do that it is human nature, like nascar, drag racing etc, but all those folks didn't start there, they had sportsman racing and I beleive that is still the backbone racing every weekend kinda support that allows you to put on the big show, to me if every single class needs to have a brushless motor, lipo cells, f/g hull, cnc hardware then your not gonna get the same type of growth, you will get the folks with disposable cash, you'll get the sponsored few, and maybe you make it the elite only, but what happens when the same old runners don't feel like taking that looonnnggg trip, you starting losing the elite, what's gonna entice them? so I guess I am just saying to the powers that be, consider the fun factor too, look at lhs, build it and they will come...

[T.S.Davis]

I don't know if you need deletion.

All you really have to do is get SOME to accept the notion that you do NOT have to offer every class at ANY race. Nationals or otherwise. There is zero rule that requires it. Only popular convention. We know where that gets us.

Can you imagine running a T hydro at the speeds they're capable of now on the little tiny NAMBA FE oval? Yikes. Need a spade shovel for a turn fin.

The nitro nats is 8 freekin days? Do we have the patience for that? Not me thank you.

[AndyKunz]

Very few guys stay the whole time. They organize classes so guys can show up for 2-3 days out of the whole thing.

The AMA Nats takes a month.

Andy

[Dennis Whitt]

Thank you Jay ! But I dissagree.Heres why.We all know and hope that with the help of Lipo and other new techs comming into the hobby that we should start to see an upward spike in FE.Yes we have alot of classes but we all have different interests.I wouldnt care if C box was dropped but others may.I have an eco boat its a blast to race.And will race it any time that class is available.Drop P opc ??I think it just needs a little tweaking and to be ran in front of folks to kind of advertise it and get it going.How many guys have ever seen a well setup FE OPC run.ITS COOL !!
S mono T mono ?Dont worry guys there are alot of big boat nitro fans out there we need something for them here in FE.
Official classes that are not run dont hurt anyone and gives folks choices.Whats wrong with that ?

[K.R.Joye]

Well i guess we got the drive dog issue cleared up. LOL


My take on the class issue, the more classes the better chance someone has at placing. The more winning opportunities there are the better the moral and spirit at the races!

As long as the race promoters aren't forced to run certain classes race venues should continue to grow. There are plenty of classes to chose from and plenty of club classes to fill missing voids:D

[T.S.Davis]

Jackpot Dennis!

If you were trying to pick a race to go to you might try harder to go to a race that was offering something you like to play with like OPC or 1/8 Scale. If a club picks up OPC and runs with it they can follow the rules set by the book. Then if Dennis or Joe Blow down the street wants to come and race with them he has the same boat because there are rules he can reference.

The Michigan gang might hear that CAFE is running 1/8 Scale and decide to make the run as group. Heck, we did exactly that at the end of last season to run boats that aren't even in the rule book.

We actually voted to keep OPC at MC6 for the very reason Dennis mentions. Most of us have never even seen it and we want to.

[brooks93]

I have tossed around the idea for awhile about building a OPC because I do think they would be fun.. So seeing them run would be cool

[Capt Ron]

what Jay and Andy said!

Ron

[Dennis Whitt]

It is kind of neat having all of theese classes "available".Our Hobby as well as others run in sperts as far as what is popular.
As far as OPC I think it needs a revamp.I think the reason it isnt popular is that nobody like the idea of dunking 200 dollar BL motor.
A few clubs have already experimented and sucsessfully ran OPC with the inexpensive 700.In fact I heard that some one ran a 700 powered OPC at the Nats in 2003 and it was just as fast as the BL guys because the BL guys couldnt turn it all on with out kiting it.
having these classes in our pocket and already available is great.
When the right boat or motor or outboard comes around who knows a class like OPC might be a real draw.
If you think we have too many classes now wait till next years MC7 SUPER BOAT class.Twin drives with 32 cells per a drive (or a lipo configuration),(minimum length to be determined )If I wasnt racing I would probably come to watch that one !

[eddieh]

Man Dennis Your scaring me..... Your post actually makes great sense to me... :D , and I was thinking the same thing.... uh oh.... LOL.... J/K I do think it's nice to have the classes and if someone figures out a better mouse trap, it's nice to get "Official" kudos for putting in the hard work and buildinbg a nice boat, etc.....

[JUST A ROOKIE]

Thanks for the kudos' Dennis, I was the one that ran the OPC with the 700 at the Calif. Nats. in 2003. It was great to see my DPI tunnel and a 700 do the job. We ran the tunnel class as "Limited Sport OPC Tunnel"Last year (in our club going both 10 laps and 5 laps). Yes we did have blow overs but what fun. Blow the 700 out, reoil and go again. I do agree that Namba has a great many classes but that is what makes F-E racing fun, if you want to race there is a class that you can race in.
As for this year our club will have 11 differant classes with a potential of 36 drivers. I'm sorry Dennis no offshore classes as yet but who knows.:cool:

[Garry Finlay]

Let’s see, where should the drive dog be. - Thought I read that someplace.

We may want to define the position of the leading edge of the prop instead. As you all can imagine, if we require the drive dog to be under the transom, someone is going to make a very long drive dog and put the propeller an inch behind the transom. Or they will build a special prop with a very long hub out in front of the blade.

Just something to think about.

Garry

[K.R.Joye]

Originally posted by Garry Finlay
As you all can imagine, if we require the drive dog to be under the transom, someone is going to make a very long drive dog and put the propeller an inch behind the transom. Or they will build a special prop with a very long hub out in front of the blade.
Garry


GREAT LET THEM!

[Paul]

Hi Garry,

The drive dog can't extend past the transom so making a special one wouldn't help. Now if a guy wants to build a special long prop and a special long shaft I say have at it, more trouble than it's worth.;)

Paul.

[K.R.Joye]

Some of us aren't getting the message, the NAMBA 1/8 nitro drive dog rule(Rule #10) will not be applicable for 1/8 scale racing at MC6/NATS! This means you can put your drive dog infront, behind or whatever your call. Also rule #7 will not apply.

Just don't show up with a transom mounted strut. All struts must be mounted to or thru the bottom of the hull. Unless you can prove the real boat had it mounted otherwise.

Will have the MC6/NATS rules posted shortly on the MMEU Race announcement.

[jevmax]

I'm casting my prop right now:D

[eddieh]

Jim there ya go!! LOL, I mounted mine as per pauls recommendations, what is the maximum length of flex to use? I dunno, mine looks kinda long, but everything is as smooth as silk, a very very slight bend etc, anyway I am told my cowlings are done, and the feathers were being made so soon, soon....

did ya sort out the exhaust pipes??