Drivers Warned On Sulky Changes
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday August 6, 2002
Participants who are considering modifying their sulkies to fit new industry guidelines run the risk of stewards intervention and even voiding insurance coverage, the Australian Harness Racing Council has warned.
From September 1, wooden sulkies and those with wooden shafts will be banned in Australia.
Some participants have investigated the possibility of replacing their wooden shafts with stainless steel, even though that necessitates altering crossbar and footrest assemblies.
Council chief executive Rod Pollock said advice received from leading Australian sulky manufacturer Jim Walsh had warned of the possibility of strength reduction and metal fatigue caused by such modifications.
``...stewards will inspect sulkies and this leading manufacturer's advice will be taken into account when and where sulkies are inspected," Pollock said.
``Given that the members of the Australian Harness Racing Council will be running council's own insurance fund on behalf of all drivers and trainers licensed in their jurisdictions this statement above should be considered.
``Any investigation of an accident and claim after September 1 involving a previous wooden or wooden shafted sulky will be taken into account in any claim pursued through the insurance fund."
Walsh believes it was not structurally safe to replace wood with steel, and also thinks the cost could rival the price ($1650) of a new steel gig.
``I am not aware of any satisfactory method of replacing wooden shafts with stainless steel shafts in existing wooden shafted sulkies," he said.
But leading South Coast trainer-driver Brian Hancock was disappointed by an ``ultimatum" that effectively places further strain on owners and trainers.
``I think it's a bit unfair because I've seen some steel gigs going round that shouldn't be," he said.
``Some people still have the wooden shafted sulkies so I think if they get them tested, and they're all right, I can't see a problem.
``I think all carts should be tested every year, steel or wooden - like registering a car.
Hancock has been campaigning in Brisbane for the past five weeks and, along with Woonona reinsman Greg Bennett, will drive in heats of the Kevin Seymour Nursery Pace (1609m) at Albion Park this afternoon.
© 2002 Illawarra Mercury
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