Propwash April 2019 web.pub

If we can come up with a proposal that doesn’t require frequent rulebook updates (whether membership vote or District Director vote), I think that’s a win for all. Frankly, there’s a bigger issue that we need to address with the current motor list rule. And, it’s even more important now that NAMBA is combining Gas/Nitro/FE for the nationals. It’s the ability to conduct technical inspections. How can this be done easily and accurately with a motor list, where motors from different manufacturers with different Kv (RPM) windings/re- windings, modifications, complete rebuilds, etc.? Yes-We’ve done inspections at past national events, but those were mostly specific FE Nationals where there were quite a few guys that had the knowledge to get it done. Now that NAMBA is going to a combined nationals format, many feel the ability to conduct a technical inspection is paramount with a new and improved P-Ltd Rule. It needs to be quick and simple. It needs to be something you can do if asked. The fact that this proposal should keep the rule from being revisited again is icing on the cake. During our testing, we focused on what should be the rule for FE national competition. The FE masses worked hard during the past few years to figure out if we can get a simple motor measurement as the rule to work, and what that measurement should be. It’s something that can easily be inspected by anybody with a measuring device. If it fits, it ships, so to speak. And, power is automatically limited by the motor size. Before testing, there were concerns about more expensive/ custom motors performing better or that there should be some sort of restriction on modifications. After testing? These concerns we all but eliminated. Expensive motors tested in line with cheaper ones. After all, there’s only so much magnet and copper you can get in a particular electric motor dimension. And, faster boats don’t win events with any certainty. Why bother with other rules that can’t be inspected easily (or at all)? Many districts are already using this ruleset, and IMPBA’s 2018 FE Nationals used it as well. We hope that you support District 19’s proposal. We need something effective, simple and longstanding for our P-Ltd racing that doesn’t require multiple trips to the rulebook for revisions. If you have any questions, I can be reached at dnewland49@msn.com . David Newland, #229 in District 19. F.E. P-Ltd Rule Proposal from D-19 By David Newland NAMBA District 19 Motor Dimensions 37mm X 60mm. Simple! Did anyone know back in 2009 how successful P-Ltd would be as a Power Parameter for FE? Or that it would last this long? More than 50% of FE boats that sign up for sanctioned racing are P-Ltd and I bet that number climbs to over 80% when looking at the club level. When the current P-Ltd ruleset was created 10+ years ago, we knew that it had a shelf life (but frankly not this long!). The approved motors were mostly manufactured by companies in the RTR market. Product turned over quickly, got discontinued or in the case of Hobbico, unfortunately face bankruptcy. However, at the time it was the best direction we could come up with. We thought we could keep updating the rulebook to add/ subtract motors as needed, which we have done, but the rule process with NAMBA is cumbersome and it’s difficult to move quickly when change is needed. It’s been discussed to have the NAMBA District Directors vote on motor list changes to help speed up the process, but that also seems cumbersome as not all DD’s really have a feel for FE P-Ltd racing, and I’m not aware of any other racing rule in NAMBA that gets to be decided by a District Ditrector vote. Especially something as important as the most popular FE Power Parameter. PROPWASH April 2019 19 Nitro Engine Dynos The Propwash NAMBA International 162 Avenida Chapala San Marcos, CA 92069 (760) 522-9138 e-mail namba@cox.net Editor: Al Waters Newsletter Contributors Brent Daily Rick Grim Oscar Love Lohring Miller Tony Ojeda Richard Romero Jerry Wright This newsletter is sent to all members free of charge as a part of their membership. All articles contained herein may be reproduced as long as proper credit is given as to author and publication source. Brian Buaas Mark Grim Alan Hobbs Jim Mamaril David Newland Dennis Probst Jr Chris Wittrig