Tuff Block Covers

Sawblade
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Sawblade
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 6:56pm
Every year we have a few races where a rider gets too close to a tuff block and off comes the cover and into the rear wheel. This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed. Josh Grant is lucky the rear wheel didn’t lock up at the base of a triple. I shutter thinking about what could have happened. I don’t see why the tuff block covers can’t be eliminated, and have the tuff blocks covered with large sponsor stickers. This way when a rider grazes a tuff block there’s no cover to come off creating a very dangerous situation for the rider and other competitors.
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ShoujoKakumei 1/4/2009 1:04pm
1/4/2009 1:04pm
Yeah, I'd imagine they must be able to think of a better way to do that. I know it makes the transport, setup, teardown, etc easier to have removable covers - but maybe they could work on attaching them a little better.

Maybe a lacing system on the bottom of the cover, or on one of the seams that won't be very visible? I'm not entirely sure exactly how the covers attach now to be totally honest - are they just velcro'd on?
Sonny
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Sonny 1/4/2009 1:06pm
1/4/2009 1:06pm Edited Date/Time 1/4/2009 1:09pm
I agree, we need change

Now have the Part Unlimited rep spray paint this. Maybe it'll keep J-Law from cutting the track.
Sawblade
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Sawblade 1/4/2009 1:07pm
1/4/2009 1:07pm
ShoujoKakumei wrote:
Yeah, I'd imagine they must be able to think of a better way to do that. I know it makes the transport, setup, teardown, etc easier...
Yeah, I'd imagine they must be able to think of a better way to do that. I know it makes the transport, setup, teardown, etc easier to have removable covers - but maybe they could work on attaching them a little better.

Maybe a lacing system on the bottom of the cover, or on one of the seams that won't be very visible? I'm not entirely sure exactly how the covers attach now to be totally honest - are they just velcro'd on?
It looks like it's a slip over cover with maybe a draw string at the bottom. Poor design seeing that every year it becomes a factor or potential factor in a race.
mx295
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mx295 1/4/2009 1:09pm
1/4/2009 1:09pm
bring back the bales of straw..lol

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Sonny
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Sonny 1/4/2009 1:11pm
1/4/2009 1:11pm Edited Date/Time 1/4/2009 1:12pm
Sawblade
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Sawblade 1/4/2009 1:12pm
1/4/2009 1:12pm
Sonny wrote:
I agree, we need change [img]http://dktanks.com/images/concrete_barrier/thumbs/concrete_barrier_07_tn.JPG[/img] Now have the Part Unlimited rep spray paint this. Maybe it'll keep J-Law from cutting the track.
I agree, we need change

Now have the Part Unlimited rep spray paint this. Maybe it'll keep J-Law from cutting the track.
Word! Woohoo
MXR
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MXR 1/4/2009 1:20pm
1/4/2009 1:20pm
The AMA is going to secure the covers starting next week with razor wire
WSR
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WSR 1/4/2009 1:26pm
1/4/2009 1:26pm
These bale covers don't seem that dangerous. If some one decides to keep riding and not stop to remove a cover stuck in the bike, it's a race decision that the racer has to deal with.
It may slow you down, but i don't see the safety issue.
mx295
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mx295 1/4/2009 1:27pm
1/4/2009 1:27pm Edited Date/Time 1/4/2009 1:27pm
WSR wrote:
These bale covers don't seem that dangerous. If some one decides to keep riding and not stop to remove a cover stuck in the bike, it's...
These bale covers don't seem that dangerous. If some one decides to keep riding and not stop to remove a cover stuck in the bike, it's a race decision that the racer has to deal with.
It may slow you down, but i don't see the safety issue.
so you didnt see grants back wheel lock up when he went over a jump last night and almost made him endo???
WSR
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WSR 1/4/2009 1:31pm
1/4/2009 1:31pm
The option was there to stop and remove it, or continue the race.
Maybe they should get rid of goggles, I've seen them covered in mud and even cracked, that could make it hard to see and cause a crash.
mx317
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mx317 1/4/2009 1:38pm
1/4/2009 1:38pm
He didn't know it was in his wheel.
Sawblade
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Sawblade 1/4/2009 2:40pm
1/4/2009 2:40pm
WSR wrote:
These bale covers don't seem that dangerous. If some one decides to keep riding and not stop to remove a cover stuck in the bike, it's...
These bale covers don't seem that dangerous. If some one decides to keep riding and not stop to remove a cover stuck in the bike, it's a race decision that the racer has to deal with.
It may slow you down, but i don't see the safety issue.
That's my whole point, a racer shouldn't have to decide to stop and loss positions due to a tuff block cover becoming entangled in the rear wheel. Graphics applied to the tuff blocks would also mean less items to set up, take down and haul from round to round.
crowe176
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crowe176 1/4/2009 2:44pm
1/4/2009 2:44pm

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