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MatthewB wrote:The beginning and the end of each Gap must be at least 0.5 cm above the next surface(s) below them.

Can someone put this into better words, please? I have somewhat of an idea of what it means, but not 100% sure.

I had an issue with this at states. My final jump landed on a very thin track on the base of my coaster. They said it needed to be higher because the ball could actually hit the lower base and roll up onto my landing. By raising my landing pad 1 cm (during my 8 minutes) they accepted it.

I think they just want the tracks well defined and not have a chance to work or continue on if they fail their jump.

builder83 wrote:

MatthewB wrote:The beginning and the end of each Gap must be at least 0.5 cm above the next surface(s) below them.

Can someone put this into better words, please? I have somewhat of an idea of what it means, but not 100% sure.

I had an issue with this at states. My final jump landed on a very thin track on the base of my coaster. They said it needed to be higher because the ball could actually hit the lower base and roll up onto my landing. By raising my landing pad 1 cm (during my 8 minutes) they accepted it.

I think they just want the tracks well defined and not have a chance to work or continue on if they fail their jump.

What do you mean by the "lower base" of your roller coaster and the ball "rolling up onto the landing"?

sciolyperson1 wrote:

builder83 wrote:

MatthewB wrote:The beginning and the end of each Gap must be at least 0.5 cm above the next surface(s) below them.

Can someone put this into better words, please? I have somewhat of an idea of what it means, but not 100% sure.

I had an issue with this at states. My final jump landed on a very thin track on the base of my coaster. They said it needed to be higher because the ball could actually hit the lower base and roll up onto my landing. By raising my landing pad 1 cm (during my 8 minutes) they accepted it.

I think they just want the tracks well defined and not have a chance to work or continue on if they fail their jump.

What do you mean by the "lower base" of your roller coaster and the ball "rolling up onto the landing"?

It's hard to describe. So my last landing track section was basically sitting on the base of my coaster frame. Because the track piece was so thin they said the base and track were on the same plane. I had to raise the track piece up for them to consider it 2 different planes.

The rules say 1/2 cm. I think this is enough that a marble will not roll onto a landing track if the jump is short and the surface under it is well below the track level.

Clarification has been posted regarding tiers:
Roller Coaster - 9/24/18 (Division B) 2c. should read, edits in bold: Participants without eye protection will not compete and will be awarded participation points only. (removed "ranked in Tier 4" as there is no Tier 4 for 2019)

Predictions about max gap at nats this year?

Last year's top team was something like 100 if I remember right, so with the lower height this year I'm gonna guess somewhere around 60-70 but I'm not too sure.

Also,

sciolyperson1 wrote: Highest gap in the top ten (and most likely at nats) was 46 cm.

Solon had a 51 cm gap, although they only had one.

sciolyperson1 wrote:

builder83 wrote:

MatthewB wrote:The beginning and the end of each Gap must be at least 0.5 cm above the next surface(s) below them.

Can someone put this into better words, please? I have somewhat of an idea of what it means, but not 100% sure.

I had an issue with this at states. My final jump landed on a very thin track on the base of my coaster. They said it needed to be higher because the ball could actually hit the lower base and roll up onto my landing. By raising my landing pad 1 cm (during my 8 minutes) they accepted it.

I think they just want the tracks well defined and not have a chance to work or continue on if they fail their jump.

What do you mean by the "lower base" of your roller coaster and the ball "rolling up onto the landing"?

Some national roller coaster pictures had jumps that when landed would roll upward, to save energy. After, they would drop onto another ramp raised higher than the landing. Do you think this is want this rule is trying to prevent?

I dont think so. If you are thinking of the best of 18 coaster posted those ramps are like 2 or 3 cm below each other. I think it is simply to define what is a track and what is not. I heard a lot of people could missed a jump but finished the track because their supports (at nearly the same level as their ramp) would conveniently catch the ball.

builder83 wrote:

MatthewB wrote:The beginning and the end of each Gap must be at least 0.5 cm above the next surface(s) below them.

Can someone put this into better words, please? I have somewhat of an idea of what it means, but not 100% sure.

I had an issue with this at states. My final jump landed on a very thin track on the base of my coaster. They said it needed to be higher because the ball could actually hit the lower base and roll up onto my landing. By raising my landing pad 1 cm (during my 8 minutes) they accepted it.

I think they just want the tracks well defined and not have a chance to work or continue on if they fail their jump.

I think you have it right here. Imagine a launcher and catcher mounted on a flat board. If the lip of the catcher is very close to the board, perhaps there's a chance for the ball to roll/bounce along the board and bump up onto the lip, and it wouldn't be easy for an ES to tell that that was what happened, so the ES might not be able to disqualify your gap.
With this rule, it should be easy for an ES to determine where your gap actually starts and ends, and whether your ball really made the jump.

builder83 wrote:

SPP SciO wrote:I think one of the biggest changes is 3.c. Last year, that rule prohibited tubes/funnels, and there was some discrepancy as to what exactly "enclosed" meant. Now, it's unambiguous - "the ball/sphere must be visible at all times." So, does that mean that transparent plastic tubes and funnels are ok? I wouldn't think the rule writers intended that consequence, but surely it must've come up in discussion.

You're right. Big loophole in that new rule. My guess is it will be their first clarification. I might just wait a bit before making a clear tube track. Although even if it were allowed I dont know if the general strategy would change much. Funnels can be cool though!

Well think about it a tube would eliminate the need for super elevation of any kind. Although last year it didn't seem like most people did much super elevating. Also a tube allows for more extreme angles of descent or ascent. More extreme angles allow for more momentum. More momentum allows for longer jumps. Tiny changes can make big changes in the right hands.


Lol I'm not even in division B this year