Rules and Ethics Decision 08/18/2009

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08/18/2009

Sq Classes Rules and Ethics decision.


For many years sound quality has been judged in a vehicle by one or two judges. As a rule this is done from the drivers seat primarily and then the drivers and passengers seats in the case of two judges. As vehicle building has improved the modifications to the vehicle have continued to push the envelope and force changes in the judging rules.

The recent introduction of a center seat vehicle has brought to the forefront just how creative competitiors are becoming with their vehicles. Along with this creativity comes new challenges for the judging staff. In the case of center drive and/or rear seat vehicles we are forced to review what makes an automobile and automobile and how to define the same without hindering creativiy and workmanship.

Current model US automobiles come with two seats, one for the drive and one for the passenger. The driver is always located left of center and the passenger right of center. Some vehicles come without rear seats but none come without front seats. As such we must make the following determination:



In USACI Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert classes all vehicles must have a drivers and passengers seat. The drivers seat must keep the driver and all parts of his/her person to the left of the vehicle center line. If the driver and passenger cannot sit in the vehicle without intruding on one another then the vehicle will not qualify as a two seat vehicle. All drivers and passenger seats must be “Front Seats” and may not be moved to the rear so far as to eliminate the possibility of a rear passenger in vehicles that come with rear passenger seats. Interpretation and application of this rule will be at the discretion of the head Sq judge at any given event.



Furthermore, USACI will at the 2009 World Finals host an SQ Extreme class. In this class any vehicle that does not meet the above criteria will be able to compete. This class will use the current advanced score sheet. Vehicles that utilize non automotive seats (barcalounger) or utilize non-installed audio components (head phones) will not be allowed to compete in any class at any USACI.

This ruling will apply until such time as this board can re-write and clarify the existing USACI rules to properly categorize these new vehicle design developments.





Ralph Randall

Presented on behalf of the USACI Rules and Ethics Board.

Timmmmmmmmy!

Chris's Studio Civic wrote:

why not. I keep hearing how I should get a small trophy for my efforts. LOL. Its all in good fun right?

Yep, Small challenge... Small trophy... Good fun!

Hmmmm.....If I remember correctly from Finals last year, my car won the SQ section by several points, and yours won the installation section. One point overall difference between the total scores. If only I had remembered to put those two new pages in my photo book after I installed the new amplifiers... I lost about ten points for not having pictures of the wiring on the underside of the amp rack...

Oh well... My mistake, your big trophy... Doesn't that thing poke you at night when you roll over into it???

OK... Back to the serious matter of classifying SQ cars...

Mark Eldridge

Ralph, you've got a seriously un-fair advantage with the boat oar you use to stir the pot, compared to the tablespoons the rest of us have to use. Plus, you can always just dump the pot and start over again...

Go find your own class... Ummm, I mean your own thread to stir up...

Oh, that's right... You were the big trophy hunter with all the Advanced caliber cars in the Basic and Intermediate classes...

everyone wants trophys....

wow /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////this thread is getting harder and harder to understand, i am just glad that one one of the sounding best imter.cars i heard this years is going to sit home for finals .
he'll be doing spl.

I will be at finals, just not competiting. If my car is nearing completion I will bring it out

Thank you to Tim for his PM. I really appreciate it.

Joe, I thought you were not competing at all?

I kinda sailed into a good fortune of sorts. I am now working for Digital Designs and we are building an SQ/Demo vehicle for next season.
I can pm you and explain further.

Some times I think I should go into politics as much as I flip flop on my decisions.

Joe, that is awesome!

I love the spirit of competition. When we win, it is bacause we are the best. When we lose, it is because of some unforseen reason beyond our control, ot that was overlooked. That is what keeps us coming back. The Spirit of Competition.


Good luck to everyone at Finals!

yep, we are all super competitive. It does not matter what you are doing. You always want to be number one.
rob rice

Joe , i am glad you are going to compete this year .i will take 5 to listen to your car.

Looking forward to that Ruperto...It will be good to see you again sir

Tim and Ralph-
Chris actually brought up a good point. When my Audi's seat is in the position where I can sit in it, the Front seat is literally touching the rear seat. Alot of VW's and Audi's are that way until you get into the A6/A8.

So in my mind, who cares about back seats? If they leave the car, it generally doesn't make the car sound any better. Plus, as I read it, when you remove a backseat, you remove the federally mandated safety equipment... So doesn't that put you in Expert? If it doesn't... Then why can't I remove the front seat belts too?

I personally LOVE the Extreme class. Make it a anything goes. No rules. Who cares if you are in the back seat, roof, bed, etc. It is all about having FUN....

Thats my Boy!!!!!!! I expect to see your trailer idea rolling up in a lane soon.

jkrob21 wrote:

As I stated earlier on. I had the rear seat removed to incorporate a subwoofer enclosure and amp rack. Mine was not as nice looking as other trucks and cars but it would function as a seat. This was my first year and I didn't even work for the industry yet. I was a consumer in BASIC.

Hey Ben, Can you see the federally mandated saftey equipment in this pic? I can. Just stirring a little.

Chris's Studio Civic wrote:

Thats my Boy!!!!!!! I expect to see your trailer idea rolling up in a lane soon.

What Trailer Idea?

He is expecting to see you build something outrageous for Extreme class for next season...I think. Then again, I am not a mind reader...especially one that is as twisted as Chris'

Are you avoiding my question Ben? Or was it just not important?

Simply put. The removal of a back seat does not require the removal of safety equipment.

You had better keep those seatbelts in the front seats. The front seats typically require at least a driver for the vehicle, don't they?

I like stirring the pot a little. It's all fun and games until some one falls out of their car. I could do tha with a seat belt in place.

I mounted my front seats to face the back deck on a swivel...like the old full size vans. That way I can spin it around to drive. That'll fly...right?

hmmmm i like that idea...

take a van. it drives like normal...
but the seat rotate to face the rear.
then you have the sound sysytem installed in the rear of the van...
would this be in xtrem Q?

jkrob21 wrote:

Are you avoiding my question Ben? Or was it just not important?

The Latter. IASCA used to have the back seat safety equipment rule. That was changed about three years ago. (Maybe 4.) I like the way MECA words it.... Something about Unsafe Operation or the like in the vehicle. If you have a Rustang, A Tib, an RX7, the back seat has GOT to go for ANY audio work.

The truth of the matter is, Car Audio is and should be fun. We should have a class with NO rules in it other than must play a CD and must use 12v gear. And see what people do.

Ben...that's what I hope the SQ Extreme class turns into...no holds barred, motorized vehicle, media player, and 12v gear....all the other rules are out.

Hell, I might buy a beater to put in the extreme class. It would be a great bit of fun to see what we can come up with for the class.

My rustang will have rear seat missing, filled with equipment, and ready for ProQ.

Yes Lou, I am following you big boy!

Why have to have a CD player....
why not be able to pull info off of a hard drive of any sort??????

USACI should have an Official IPOD loaded with content. just in case...

Sketoes next SQ ride

jsketoe wrote:

I mounted my front seats to face the back deck on a swivel...like the old full size vans. That way I can spin it around to drive. That'll fly...right?

dude...I has secrets. you ain't allowed to share.

The ride is so pimp I could not help myself!

jsketoe wrote:

dude...I has secrets. you ain't allowed to share.

I must admit, that van does suit you John....

Just think, after a show you can still make it to that "All Knight" Dungeons and Dragons marathon tournament. You would be crowned Dungeon Master for sure if you came in with that!