Grandfather rights

Well, that is good news! I have just heard from Stefan, the Chair of Cyclekarts GB,  that the committee has just approved my variation to the rules regarding wheelbases, which were formally promulgated just after I started my build. Ordinarily under the Cyclekart GB rules, the centre-to centre wheelbase can't be longer than 66", and a car should be scaled to fit that. 

I wrote to Stefan back when the rules were being formalised, pointing out that the Bédélia, pro-rata with its width, had been unusually long, so that when scaled down, in order to look like what it pretended to be, with wheels in proportion to our 17" ones, a cyclekart would need a 72" base. He took my point and reassured me, back then, that he didn't think it would be a problem.

We car builders were recently invited to apply to the committee, justifying any design features which were at variance with the rules, if we had started our builds before the club rules were formalised. I knew the application was being considered, so I was a bit concerned. It could have been disallowed. That would have been unfortunate because, if you can't race with the club, there are currently no other race options for this class. And of course, you can't drive them on the roads.

In law, "Grandfather rights is a provision in a new law that allows old rules to apply; as such it provides exemption from having to follow new legislation".

Being given grandfather rights in the year I turn 60 seems somehow appropriate.

Many thanks to Stefan and the Cyclekarts GB Committee.