2012 Rule Book

[Dont shoot the messenger]

Like I said, Don't shoot the messenger.
Because I'm a saddo, I've been reading the 2012 rule book and would like to make others aware of some changes I've found that could make things easier at scrutineering. Remember the scrutineers are following directives from YOUR rule book.
Rear bars not to protude wider than chassis rails.
Tie rods not to foul steering column on full lock.
Fuel tanks should be of a kart manufacturers design.
Gloves can have only thumb and forefinger removed at first knuckle.
etc etc etc. There are more rules (too numerous to list) and if you've not received your rule book yet the rules are on the AIDKA website.

Also Helmets are to be checked at scrutineering for date, grommet (if full face with visor) and overall condition.

I hope drawing your attention to the new rule book makes things easier for all concerned.
Happy racing.

The messenger.

[Fuel tanks for 2012]

It would appear plastic & alley drink bottles or home made welded alley tanks or 1 litre sized containers are no longer allowed, as these are not from kart manufactures .

[tom]

Righetti Ridolfi do NOT manufacture karts, and neither do Kg. So i guess fuel tanks from either of these sources will be ILLEGAL......!

Does anyone know of a kart manufacturer that designs fuel tanks??

If the rule's intention was to make people use the fuel tanks that were delivered as standard equipment with the kart, it is worth noting that at various times both Benson, and BRK delivered as standard either 1litre, or 2litre DECOR branded fuel tanks...

Yet another example of a poorly implemented rule.

Clarification should be forthcoming as a matter of urgency from AIDKA.

[tom]

If AIDKA aren't careful they will end up in the same situation as the AKA where the rulebook is just a bit of a joke that is issued for lip-service, while people make up rules to suit themselves, and the general karter has no idea of what is required to build up a kart..

AIDKA executive take note.. Now is the time to highlight the shortcomings in the current rule-change system, and implement a revised system that prevents this type of stuff-up from occuring.

[Mr X]

I actually agree with you, I have seen the rule book for this season and some of the rules are putting it simple stupid.... Take the outline on the number rule if its readable who cares do outlined number make you go faster, the back bar rule is stupid most rollovers occur from riding a back wheel... why ban extended back bars. The fuel tank rule is a joke 'who is a manufacturer' as Tom has pointed out... If I make my fuel tank does that make me the manufacturer well yes it does?

I think AIDKA need to make a committee or something of people who have been around the sport for a long time and these people need to look at the rules before they are put up for voting to ensure that these rules that have NOT been put up for personal gain by certain individuals of clubs so they do not make it into the rule book. Changes are becoming a joke AIDKA take not please don't end up like AKA with so many stupid pointless rules to follow.

Simple is always the best, don't make things complicated AIDKA.

[Link 177]

I don't get the 200mm front bar rule change?
i raised my front bar up to protect my feet, not to create a nudge bar,but for my own safety.
twice during the rolling starts i have been hit from behind which then pushed me under the rear bar of kart in front which then nearly broke my foot when jammed between there rear bar and my throttle and brake...dual rear bars would have prevented this also...as in a upper and lower rear bar?
severe bruising took couple of weeks to heal...and I'm sure i couldn't be the only one to have experienced this.
I think Rule changes must be made with driver safety in mind and with feed back from drivers to help make these decisions

[tom]

That's the exact reason i ran a nose-cone. That along with a rear bar that prevented other karts coming under...

Alas driver safety seems low on the list of AIDKA concerns. One of the reasons i am no longer racing.

[John]

I agree that some of the rules make you wonder but they are supposedly decided by all the members of AIDKA. Each club participates in the rule change meeting and has a vote.

Supposedly each club has previously allowed all their members to vote on the proposed rule changes. So in effect every person in every club has had the potential to vote on every proposed change.

If the members of any club feel they were not provided the opportunity to vote on the propsoed changes then they should follow that up at their club level.

In a lot of cases I would speculate that club members do not attend their club meetings. In which case they had the opprotunity to participate but didn't take it and so must accept the decision of others that did.

Of course a persons club may vote against a change but the majority of other clubs may vote for a change.

That is democracy and like it or not the majority rules.

[tom]

I hear what you are saying John, and have been part of the process many times myself. I disagree that the majority of karters want these rule changes though. Just that the majority of clubs voted in favor of the rule changes (there is a significant difference).

A better way of handling rule changes would be to have a public forum (perhaps on this site?), where proposed rule changes are posted and discussed (participants to use real names only). That way any potential pitfalls, rewordings, and rule intentions will be well and truly discussed before an official rule change meeting.

[John]

Totally agree Tom.

That is why I used used "supposedly" a couple of time

I assisted the Rule Change Sub Committee for a few years when David Earl was the President. There were a lot of submissions that didn't appear to have had enough thought and discussion prior to them being sent in for consideration.

I don't think the once a year or now every two years rule change strategy works as clubs seem to try to think up something to send in at the time. I believe that clubs should be able to forward suggestions for rule updates at any time and then they get sent out for discussion.

I like the idea of a forum such as your suggestion as it allows for people to ask questions and understand the intention of the proposed change as well as people can highlight any possible implications.

[outlaw19]

Two years ago when I was involved with karting it was brought at council in general discussion that maybe the rules should be put on AIDKA own web site the rule changes so they could be openly discussed and a change of the voting for change process. To have it open for suggestions at anytime I don't agree. The council has enough to do with out having to possible ad rules to the rule book at anytime, its not very realistic. I think being put out on an open forum with enough time prior to rule changes meeting would be a good option. For those who have been involved in rule changes meetings at council know there are some silly self interest rules put up would you expect that council would have to discuss every meeting, that would hijack meeting taking away from other things that need to be discussed. If it go's to bi annually to have rule changes voted on I think that is a really good idea every year does not give the rule changes implemented to best possible opportunity to see whether it is going to work. This also go's with changing the format on how the championships are run. It should be ONE format and retained as ONE format, If the present format isn't working for what ever reason then that also needs looking at the rule change meeting witha format decided on and kept for a minimum period time ( 3 years or 5 years) give the opportunity see how it works. Not winner takes all one year then accumulated points another year. Does'nt benifit anyone

[John]

Fair comments. Can see your point.

The change to having a rule change meeting evey 2 years was introduced at the last rule change meeting as it is in the new rule book.

3.1 RULE CHANGES
3.1.1 Rule change meetings will be held every two years on or around the 14th August for the following Bi-Annual Rule Book.

At the moment there are several options of race formats permitted for title events. I do agree that there should be a conscensus of all clubs on a preferred race format for especially the Australian Titles. Maybe each State and Territory could obtain a conscensus of the clubs in their State or Territory for the format of their specific titles?