So far this year a bunch of competitions have been run. Points racing, One make racing, Ball tag, Restaurant parking, Board racing, a time trial and a long jump.

Its time for a new comp. Speed trials.
I bought a radar gun. Its just a cheap thing but it does work. We trialled it at the Nut Buster with some very inconsistent results. It reads fairly accurately but it is not very powerful and if not operated correctly it will not pick up a buggy. Remember a buggy rider does not have a huge mass to bounce the wave off. At the end of the meeting Perrin did a bunch of passes and we worked out that that it has to be low and close to the rider. To achieve clear readings we mounted the radar gun on a low tripod. We tested the system yesterday at Raglan and we had clear readings on 100% of the runs.

To effectively use the gun will be using a gate. A bunch of flags will be positioned to make a gate and corridor. The rider rides through the gate along the short corridor and away. The reading will take place as the rider hits the gate.


There will be a set of flags with an opening about twice the width of Al's buggy. On the up wind side there will be some red flags. These are to show where the radar operator is. HITTING THE MARSHALL AND RADAR OPERATOR IS OBVIOUSLY UNACCEPTABLE. In the future we may end up with a remote system but for now there will be a person sitting on the deck within a meter of where you will be riding. Utmost care must be given to avoid the operator and score keeper.

The comp will run like this. There will be a start line. 440mtrs (1/4 mile) or 1km from the gate depending on conditions. Riders will launch of the line and aim for the gate as fast as they can. If the gate is open the score keeper will wave a green flag. If the flag is up the rider shoots the gate, the operator will call the speed to the score keeper and the gun will be reset. Riders will leave 45 second or so apart. You will be given 2 - 4 runs depending on the amount of competitors. NO ONE HITS THE MARSHALLS.


We will need good riding protocols for this to work. Basically everyone gives way to the rider on the course. No one is to fly low over the course or use any part of the course or runoff for tacking or launching/landing. Details to be worked out on the day.

My Radar gun is accurate to within a couple of kms. It is not certified, homologated or calibrated. It will have fresh batteries and will be pointed at every one who runs the course. This should be as fair at it gets. I am hanging out to see who can pull out the speed on the day. Personal bests are disregarded. In 1 hour we will see who is fast and who is slow.

very cool charlie....will be looking forwards to thatone.

about the marshal getting hit problem...what about videoing the display screen with a digital camera, im thinking just tape a lenth of batton onto the gun with the camera on the other end facing the readout, then the marshal hits record and gets out the way.

The operator has to pull the trigger and release it for the peak speed. I hit the gate a whole bunch of times yesterday and didn't come anywhere near hitting Matt. I am going to pull it apart sometime and see about remote activation. Right now we just need you watch where you are going.

So its not only high speed but threading the needle also? nice..... I'll thread that needle... or get dragged through the down wind flags.

to get it automatic your'd need to wire the trigger to an infared switch.

full height flags on the radar and operator side and low flags on the down wind side would be good, hopefully i would have my kite locked and a foot off the deck when i hit the zone. a brilliant idea Charlie

yiepeee! it's gonna be fun!

OK I finally worked out a decent name for this comp. I went through the usual Speed Trap, "Hells Gate" sort of options. I liked Plummet's "thread the needle" comment but I decided you boys need some encouragemant.

The deal is the fastest ever through the gate gets naming rights. First name, last name, alias whatever. I am the only one to shoot the gate with a 32kph so it is currently "Watson's Gate" We are going to keep a record of the all time best speed and that name sticks until someone beats it. So whoever goes fastest on Saturday and beats my pathetic 32 will own the gate.

Gannet's Gate, Al's gate' Hansen's Gate' Waynes's Gate' Tom's gate, Conrad's Gate, Perrin's Gate, Plummet's Gate, Crafar's Gate, The Gate of Doom. They all sound good to me. I guess we will find out soon enough. If you get a certificate with someone elses name on it you will just have to go faster next time.

AWESOME

HAhahah..genius, talk about creating competition!!

Sweeet. I love "The gate of Doom" hehehe hahah.... epic and we haven't even started yet

hehehe! have you seen the epic forecast, gentlemen? cannot wait!