I don't speak officially for tech, this is just my opinion on the topic.
I get why the switch solution is appealing to racers and how it benefits AFM by more entries. And yes, a cheater may be obvious to those out on the track and maybe a few keen observers, but put yourself in the shoes of tech that now has to make a judgement call based on subjective data (how much cooler should the dead cylinder be on a 108* Thunderhill afternoon for instance?).
Yeah yeah we're all out there for fun but you might be surprised how much passion and emotion makes its way to tech when a plastic trophy is on the line. With the switch solution the burden is on tech to make an judgement call that may undermine the integrity of the class championship and result in a 43 page thread on BARF about how shitty AFM is. To me indisputable verification is at the heart of the matter. Whether or not someone would go to the effort of an elaborate (or it may be simple) cheater system is mostly irrelevant, because its plausible and we would have to deal with it.
Additionally, tech largely relies on fellow racers to bring rule breakers to our attention, which is why you see us at track exit from time to time easily checking for specific items and occasionally staying late to tear down a motor.
It is appealing to every club that is interested in the 450s. This concept goes beyond just the AFM.
Even if the AFM
never allowed a switch, we are still going to need to deal with them as other clubs have already allowed them and we have reciprocity with those clubs.
So lets get ahead of it.
The burden on Tech is not any harder than it is today when you think about it on the track vs the bench racing we are doing right now
I have spoken with a number of 450 racers and they have all volunteered to help policy this until Tech is comfortable. They will help at every round to inspect 450s and walk Tech through how everything fits together. We can cover all 7 rounds.
The process will be simple:
* If the bike is on track in a 450 race and is running as a 600
EVERYONE will know. Again, it is NOT subtle in any way, shape or form.
* If the switch is accessible from the racing position it is an immediate DQ; no exceptions.
* If the switch is inaccessible from the racing position it is legal.
The reality is, no one is going to be able to reach under their seat/tail and flip a switch in the heat of a race and then switch it back before anyone notices.
The only place it is going to be an advantage is on the straights. Imagine flipping a switch under your tail while
racing from T13 to T14 at Thunderhill. I would really enjoy watching someone try that.
IMHO the AFM needs to start preparing for the switch to be officially allowed by Tech and Tech should start training for it this year. If Tech knows what to look for (like learning to look for other "funny" things on other race bikes) this is going to be a non-issue.
Every person who actually races a 450 in the AFM is in support of this. Lets support them.
To kick this off. I am happy to meet with everyone in Tech at Buttonwillow. I will set up two identical R6s (mine). One of them will be a 450. I will let you decide if you can tell the difference.
