"Beat the Bastard" Tech Inspection.

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Permalink Reply by Sakamoto on April 25, 2009 at 14:10

Hi guys,
after some safety issues being raised and discussions with organisers for the Townsville ride, I'd like to address those particular points.
Helmets: "Pull through" style of securing your chin strap is prefered and highly recommended, however some riders have helmets which have the "snap-lock" style. This style of lock will be accepted, if in excellent condition, however riders will be required to wrap "100mph" tape around the "snap-lock". "Snap-locks" have been known to release during crashes, and this is something we would definately like to avoid.
Shoes: "Lace-up" shoes are the prefered/recommended style of shoe to run with, although some riders wear "slip-ons". "Slip-ons" will be allowed to be worn, BUT riders will be REQUIRED to tape their shoes to their ankles using "100mph" tape.
If you have any questions, either PM me, or raise them here.
Cheers

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Permalink Reply by Bowditch on April 25, 2009 at 14:58

hi just wondering, i have a leather jacket and leather pants that zip together but the pants are shorts is that ok. i ride with knee pads and high socks, do i need to get full length pants? cheers, bowditch

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Permalink Reply by leighgriffiths on April 25, 2009 at 15:10

this is Bowditch's suit.

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Permalink Reply by Sakamoto on April 25, 2009 at 15:20

Bowditch, full leathers are compulsory, purely for the safety aspect. Being top and pants thats zips together is perfect, but the length is the issue.

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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Jacko on April 25, 2009 at 16:59

ive seen worse suits being worn at IGSA world cup races and they all got passed at tech inspections.... Andrew chapman raced in a suit that came down to his knees at Maryhill last year, and thats a world championship race, let alone IGSA world cup.
i would say Bowditch's suit is fine and i bet it would get passed at an IGSA world cup race

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Permalink Reply by Sakamoto on April 25, 2009 at 17:19

The decision to let the particular rider wear a particular style of suit would be at the discretion of the Tech Inspector and Organisers, and their interpretation of the IGSA Rulebook. Mt Stuart is not Maryhill, and our, the Organisers, greatest concern is that every rider is as safe as possible and is able to enjoy the full weekend. By "cutting corners" on the IGSA Rulebook, and especially safety of the riders, the riders are the ones who get hurt. Better safe than sorry, to use a cliche, and show the riders what to expect at the Bathurst World Championships in November.

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Permalink Reply by leighgriffiths on April 25, 2009 at 17:22

i agree wit jacko. plus, when you fall the only damage you would do to your legs is knee up. if anything bowditch's suit is more protective than a lot of the race suits, due to the amount of armour it has.
its a bit late now for bowditch to have to find an alternative option. cos of his size he needs custom suits (hence why he got his leather pants modified).

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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Jacko on April 25, 2009 at 17:29

ok that makes thing a lot clearer. i wasnt sure if you were going to do it by "IGSA standard" or the actual IGSA Rulebook, both being entirely different things. If you were to go by the IGSA standard (being what they do at the race) and were to say that Bow's leathers werent suitable it would be a little bit shit considering the stuff i have seen on the tour. However going by the official rule book which seems to be the case here it is quite understandable that a suit such as this one would be a concern. I didnt wanna have a dig or anything i just wanted to throw in my two cents on the situation, coz i know for a fact that your going to get a couple of rat-shit looking suits rocking up to Mt Stuart next weekend and it might be an idea to advise people to patch up holes and bring their gear up to standard. I said Bow's suit would get passed at an IGSA world cup race, so people might think that the organisers for Beat The Bastard will have the same approach. If thats not the case (which is good) people must be aware that shotty suits will be declined.
I think its great that you guys really wanna lay down the law on the safety aspect, its something that i have seen a little bit of lacking in over the last year at over-seas races.

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Permalink Reply by Sakamoto on April 25, 2009 at 18:03

I think you hit the nail on the head, Jacko..."Standard" or "Rulebook". When the concept for 'Beat the Bastard" was originally discussed it was decided to use the "Rulebook", as it was definitive and everyone would know what level of safety to expect at Tech, with regards to their equipment and safety gear. Personally, when racing overseas, I've seen crashes so bad that the leathers were holding the bones in place, restricting further injury. The breaks were 4 inches above the ankle, and the bones had pierced the leathers. Mt Stuart is a gnarly road, butter smooth and HUGE fun, and with the World Championships in November it is a prime opportunity for the Australians who want to race and have never raced at that level before to see what to expect from that level of competition. I don't want anyone to get injured, but if you do come off we want you to be as protected as possible.
Read the "Rulebook" guys, I've already posted the links, and make sure every aspect of your equipment is up to scratch, everything from Helmet straps to exposed thread on bolts, regardless of what you're riding.
Bowditch, whats size leathers are you, as someone maybe able to help you out for the weekend.

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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Benbro on April 25, 2009 at 18:19

yeh,bit worried about a few of my bro,s suits,spendin lots a money to come but may be denied,whats the accepted level of leather to race tape ratio, there suits are safe,they prove that all the time,

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Permalink Reply by Sakamoto on April 25, 2009 at 18:39

A general "rule of thumb" for leathers will be: tears are stitched, and if necessary taped over. All zipps are fully functioning. Zipps for the torso are at the front of the one or two peice suit. Two peice suits are zipped at the waist. No more than a two inch gap between the bottom of the legs and the shoes. More than a two inch gap and a strip of tape will be required around the leathers.
Basically, it's all common sense stuff, guys.

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Permalink Reply by Robbo on April 25, 2009 at 22:42

Jacko said:

ok that makes thing a lot clearer. i wasnt sure if you were going to do it by "IGSA standard" or the actual IGSA Rulebook, both being entirely different things.

The IGSA rulebook and the IGSA standard are the same thing. An event organiser might allow some things to slide but they are meant to follow the IGSA rules. This became an issue last year so the rules have now been tightened for event organisers. From 2009 each IGSA event must now have an official with the specific task of making sure the IGSA rules are strictly followed. The IGSA rules from 2007 through 2009 for protective leathers are not ambiguous, they are very specific. People will always try to trim around the edges but the rules are well published and well known.

With regard to Bow bro if your leg hits a piece of armco it will slice it off.

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