GDC Communications

[Kevin Sevcik]

I think one thing that would be massively helpful is some sort of post-mortem on a just-concluded year's rules so that people can point out problems and inconsistencies with the rules. This can even be directly applicable to future rules. In support of this, I think we should make a list of current general purpose rules that need attention. Example:

I asked the GDC if it really was illegal to drive an FP from a Spike, and magically legal to drive a functionally identical BB RS-550 from a Spike. They blandly confirmed that was the case. When I asked point blank how on earth that made any sense, they simply deleted the question.

It's an outdated, grandfathered rule that made sense way back when FPs were new and no one ever heard of BaneBots. I understand that. I can also understand that they probably didn't want to bother thinking about or changing the rule halfway through build season, when it probably isn't going to affect anyone anyways. Nevertheless, the current rule is pointless and outdated. It no longer serves its original purpose of keeping fools from blowing Spike fuses. It either needs to be updated so it serves that purpose again, or scrapped to simplify the rules and inspection.

There were some similar rulings on gearboxes from kit window lift motors last year. The GDC declared that you couldn't pull a gearbox off a kit window lift motor and use it with an FRC legal motor because it's an integral part of the window lift motor. Which I think would make the window lift gearbox some sort of non-legal COTS gearbox. Just because the GDC wants it to be.

I'm pretty sure there's other rules in there that have similar problems, and we really should make a list of them and try to get the GDC to clean them up for next season.