CRMC New Eligibility Rules

[Eddy Wright]

Ian, I think Bill Currie, and Mick Horspole had big Weslake Engines. BMW only had 500cc Rennsport, and the 750cc pushrod motors. The 1000cc was not available until 1977. Keith Blaynee of KGB fame had an ex factory 1170cc 5 bearing crank IMP Motor, as did Richard Nelson, and I think Graham Hilditch, or Vince Winstanley.

Interestingly the 1040cc IMP as used today was not available then. Chrysler launched it as a Sunbeam in 1977.

[richard]

Steve as they say been there done that and no thanks. what you have is telling riders they cannot have that as it not period and them getting up set, and if you let them have it to keep up the numbers you upset the other side and they spit out there dummy so you can never win

[steve-e]

I know that sort of thing from being on the FSRA committee. Not on there now but it was a step in learning.

[richard]

The biggest weslake to run in period was 730cc I think, as for the rule on engines there is the ten pace rule, if it looks ok from ten paces its ok .BUT to get these big engines you must fit bigger blocks and or spacer plates so from ten paces this would show up and then they are not eligible. if you can get a bigger engine without changing the look fo the engine then that is o.k

[ianw]

Eddy I cant comment on the Imps or the BM's, my weslake in 1975 was bigger than Weslake's themselves said the engine could be, that was 960cc, bigger than bill's engine which was reported as 930cc in 1974.
Bottom line is, these engines didn't race in that period. You can't make one rule for one & one for another.
The people who make the rules have got to be knowledgeable of the era.

[richard]

Also forgot to say in the club rules it states that the external appearance of the engine must remain as it left the factory so putting bigger barrels on changes that look

[steve-e]

No Ian, they have to be knowledgeable to the situation they are in now. Hardly any bikes are from the era, it's all sillhouette racing with a bit of sporting spirit thrown in. Fair competition is the order, not an insane adherence to dates. That's my view If it's fair racing and bikes that stick within the spirit of the rules then it's fair.

You can't repeat what happened in the era. Some of the works machines in the late 60's had insane lift on cams etc; (I remember a lecture from Allan Robinson very well about it all one Sunday afternoon in the commentary box) and were built not to last in solos, wouldn't stand a chance in an outfit. It's not fair to expect people to replicate that.

[ianw]

Got to be the the 20 pace rule then steve

[richard]

yes but you must start back to back and no firing before the handkerchief is dropped

[steve-e]

[ianw]

I like that richard.

[den etheridge]

Dear Richard, Engines external appearance?? Your SAAB Has reed valve blocks on the inlet,and the CARS didnt have these.

[steve-e]

Cars have bonnets (I'll go run and hide)

[sidecar bloke]

First thing I did when I came home from my hols today was to read the Steve English Forum Classic and Vintage - what a mistake. I then took pen to paper and concocted a rant which would have taken Jane four days to type! Then sense prevailed - I picked up the phone and spoke to Ed - a man who may have different views on tyre widths to myself but whose opinion I value. He is MUCH older than me and was there, done that! He said, as a friend, don't post anything - let it drop. Wise words, as this is now my third posting I believe.

The man in charge of Sidecar Eligibility has the ultimate power to say yes or no to an outfits eligibility and you have to have faith that he has the common sense to do this fairly, based on historical factors, modern day availabilities etc., etc., common sense. If you don't believe the current Eligibility Officer has this ability - simple - you boot him out and get somebody in who has.

As Richard, my predecessor, states there is a 10 pace rule. However, the rules allow (don't forget these rules were written by others) primary belt drives to be fitted. Does a Norton or a Triumph with a belt look, even at 10 paces, remotely like a standard chain drive system? No. Common sense prevails. You can run a Vincent 1000cc motor with the gearbox cut off - once again a belt to an AMC gearbox or similar. The rules state you can - does this Vincent engine look like a standard Vincent engine from 10 paces - or even 100 paces? No. But you can do it because the rules, written by others, say you can. Common sense once again prevails.

So, at this point, I make no apology for the fact that all things being equal, and I have enough money, I will be running, a Rodwell Motorsport Championship Winning All Conquering Watch out Bloke from Scotland on a Weslake and the Bloke from Up Norf on an Orange thing, 1200 Imp because the rules, as written by others, say I can, standard block, standard head, common sense.

I apologise for not having taken note of Eddy's advice as I could have been in bed hours ago. And I never even mentioned carburretion on 2 strokes - common sense.

Whether you love my decisions or hate them, you have the vote, what isn't in doubt is that Classic sidecar racing is the past and the future and if you're in it you are indeed part of history and if you're out - boy you're missing a great time.

Ian

[steve-e]