|
Re: Fasteners extending outside the FRAME PERIMETER
So having thought about this a while and re-read the details several times I can see where this definition is coming from.
Last year the "pockets in the bumper backing" ruling came out mid-season to allow teams to legally use the Kitbot as provided. The heads of the kitbot axle bolts would have been in violation for the majority of teams that used this setup otherwise. (The fact that the instructions said to assemble it with open corners was a separate issue that cause other inspection problems, but I digress...)
This year the kitbot changed a bit with the "legs" to lift the chassis portion up above the drive wheels. If used as provided , the kitbot would provide the start of a legal frame unlike last year. Many teams (mine included) used a kitbot setup similar to last year and now have an issue with bolt heads protruding out below the bumper zone. The shift in bumper zone to a higher position than it was in the past is what is causing problems here.
The fact that a the kitbot as provided is legal for the update 7 version of the frame perimeter is a good thing. Unfortunately for those of us who used modified or alternate frames the previous version of the frame perimeter was either different or ambiguous. Now it is clear, and it is also different from many people's previous interpretations.
We are lucky in that we have enough space to play with to build in an extension to our frame perimeter in the bumper zone. I hope that all teams have enough wiggle room to play with here. I fear that this will be an issue for quite a few teams. This is a detail that can be tough to pick up on. I hope that folks in the CD community can help out local teams who may not be up to speed on this definition.
Thanks, and good luck!
Rob
|