Rules Refreshers
Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 2:13 am
HI All,
I'm starting this thread with the below topic and plan to add to this as new issues need to be addressed. I will ask that this be made sticky and will make a normal post to point to this thread when additions are made.
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It’s come to my attention through recent conversations that some refresher is needed on the current QM 422 engine rules. In 2011 AMA Pylon Contest Board passed an Emergency proposal that included significant changes in this area to maintain substantially equal performance in the class among the approved engines. The changes made by the proposal did several things:
- Limited AMA 422 to engines from two manufacturers.
- Set up an AMA 422 Engine Committee made up of four contest board members and the Contest Board Chair.
- The four members of the AMA 422 Engine Committee are specified to be made up of two members each who primarily use one of the approved manufacturer’s engines. The Contest Board Chair does not get a vote.
- Specified that all “new models” of engines must be approved by a majority vote of the AMA 422 Engine Committee.
- Specified the changes to an engine which would result in an engine being defined as a “new model” that requires approval.
1. A change that results in a measurable increase in power from the currently approved engines which would result in an imbalance in performance with existing engines.
2. A fundamental change in design, for example bore/stroke ratio, piston and cylinder porting, muffler tuning, or basic construction.
3. Changes to parts, for any reason, which results in a lack of interchangeability with existing engines. This is defined as, when one single new part cannot be installed in an existing engine without modification of another part, or parts. (a piston and liner are considered one part)
4. A change to the muffler where any dimension is changed more than .05” (1.25mm)
You can read the whole rule at 16.1.2. Powerplant in the 2015-2016 RC Pylon Rules.
This means that the configurations of the engines supplied by the two manufacturers are not to be changed without the approval of the committee if the changes meet ANY ONE of the above ways of defining a “new model” of engine. Neither of the current manufacturers have requested any approvals since implementation of this rule at the end of 2011. Changes to parts that improve durability but don’t meet any of the above criteria that defines a “new engine” would not require approval of the committee. An example might be a strengthened or increased durability connecting rod would come to mind as a change that would not require committee approval.
One more area where there may be some lack of understanding is the interchange of parts from other engine models. It is illegal to use, in competition, a part in a QM422 engine that was made by one of the approved manufacturers for another model of engine, like a Quickie 500 engine or an FAI engine, that is different than the part used in the approved 422 engine. For example, the Cylinder Head or a Cylinder for a Nelson Q500 LS engine or a Nelson FAI engine would NOT be allowed to be used in a QM 422 engine if it’s different than the QM part. This is stipulated as part of requiring the engines to be "Stock" in paragraph 16.1.2.a.2) Configuration, as supplied by the approved manufacturer and in the approved configuration. The definition of "Stock" is UNMODIFIED. Putting a Q5500 LS head on a 422 engine would be modifying from the approved configuration.
It is also illegal for a part to be used in a 422 contest that is made by the approved manufacturer that is different in any way from the approved configuration that would meet any one of the four criteria for a “new model” engine above. As an example, if the porting of a part, like a cylinder, is changed that results in a measurable increase in performance by one of the approved manufacturers for their engine, that change must be approved by the 422 Engine Committee PRIOR to use in competition and may not be allowed to be used for up to 90 days after approval if the Committee feels it is prudent.
So, to summarize, you are not allowed to use parts that are not part of the approved configuration of a 422 engine in competition. This is true for a part from another type or model of engine from the approved manufacturer or a unique part that is different in some way from the approved configuration that increases the performance of the engine or effects interchangability.
I hope this is clear. These rules were put in place to keep the competition in 422 as equal as possible between the two engine manufacturers and fair for everyone to protect the quality of this great sport. Changes that make racers re-invent their engine inventory like 2007 when the LS engines were introduced proved our sport is very fragile. We have been very stable for a while now and we don’t need to upset things. At the recent Phoenix race, fast time was 59.60 but there were 7 more pilots between that and one minute and 26 of the 85 pilots went under 1:02. The competition was amazing. Let’s keep it that way.
Thanks and good racing!!
Jim Allen
RC Pylon Contest Board Chair
I'm starting this thread with the below topic and plan to add to this as new issues need to be addressed. I will ask that this be made sticky and will make a normal post to point to this thread when additions are made.
**********************************
It’s come to my attention through recent conversations that some refresher is needed on the current QM 422 engine rules. In 2011 AMA Pylon Contest Board passed an Emergency proposal that included significant changes in this area to maintain substantially equal performance in the class among the approved engines. The changes made by the proposal did several things:
- Limited AMA 422 to engines from two manufacturers.
- Set up an AMA 422 Engine Committee made up of four contest board members and the Contest Board Chair.
- The four members of the AMA 422 Engine Committee are specified to be made up of two members each who primarily use one of the approved manufacturer’s engines. The Contest Board Chair does not get a vote.
- Specified that all “new models” of engines must be approved by a majority vote of the AMA 422 Engine Committee.
- Specified the changes to an engine which would result in an engine being defined as a “new model” that requires approval.
1. A change that results in a measurable increase in power from the currently approved engines which would result in an imbalance in performance with existing engines.
2. A fundamental change in design, for example bore/stroke ratio, piston and cylinder porting, muffler tuning, or basic construction.
3. Changes to parts, for any reason, which results in a lack of interchangeability with existing engines. This is defined as, when one single new part cannot be installed in an existing engine without modification of another part, or parts. (a piston and liner are considered one part)
4. A change to the muffler where any dimension is changed more than .05” (1.25mm)
You can read the whole rule at 16.1.2. Powerplant in the 2015-2016 RC Pylon Rules.
This means that the configurations of the engines supplied by the two manufacturers are not to be changed without the approval of the committee if the changes meet ANY ONE of the above ways of defining a “new model” of engine. Neither of the current manufacturers have requested any approvals since implementation of this rule at the end of 2011. Changes to parts that improve durability but don’t meet any of the above criteria that defines a “new engine” would not require approval of the committee. An example might be a strengthened or increased durability connecting rod would come to mind as a change that would not require committee approval.
One more area where there may be some lack of understanding is the interchange of parts from other engine models. It is illegal to use, in competition, a part in a QM422 engine that was made by one of the approved manufacturers for another model of engine, like a Quickie 500 engine or an FAI engine, that is different than the part used in the approved 422 engine. For example, the Cylinder Head or a Cylinder for a Nelson Q500 LS engine or a Nelson FAI engine would NOT be allowed to be used in a QM 422 engine if it’s different than the QM part. This is stipulated as part of requiring the engines to be "Stock" in paragraph 16.1.2.a.2) Configuration, as supplied by the approved manufacturer and in the approved configuration. The definition of "Stock" is UNMODIFIED. Putting a Q5500 LS head on a 422 engine would be modifying from the approved configuration.
It is also illegal for a part to be used in a 422 contest that is made by the approved manufacturer that is different in any way from the approved configuration that would meet any one of the four criteria for a “new model” engine above. As an example, if the porting of a part, like a cylinder, is changed that results in a measurable increase in performance by one of the approved manufacturers for their engine, that change must be approved by the 422 Engine Committee PRIOR to use in competition and may not be allowed to be used for up to 90 days after approval if the Committee feels it is prudent.
So, to summarize, you are not allowed to use parts that are not part of the approved configuration of a 422 engine in competition. This is true for a part from another type or model of engine from the approved manufacturer or a unique part that is different in some way from the approved configuration that increases the performance of the engine or effects interchangability.
I hope this is clear. These rules were put in place to keep the competition in 422 as equal as possible between the two engine manufacturers and fair for everyone to protect the quality of this great sport. Changes that make racers re-invent their engine inventory like 2007 when the LS engines were introduced proved our sport is very fragile. We have been very stable for a while now and we don’t need to upset things. At the recent Phoenix race, fast time was 59.60 but there were 7 more pilots between that and one minute and 26 of the 85 pilots went under 1:02. The competition was amazing. Let’s keep it that way.
Thanks and good racing!!
Jim Allen
RC Pylon Contest Board Chair