"Use of our products based on what they were designed to accomplish will change the racing industry. Furthermore, the effectiveness will depend on tracks enforcing their rules against tire doping."
THE WHY
Why tire dope testing is needed in the racing industry. Thoughts from the inventor addressing common questions about how our products are intended to be used, and how they could help tracks enforce rules against tire doping.
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The integrity of the
rule book is important.
Does your track have existing rules against tire doping?
- If yes, you must to be willing to enforce them.
- If you are willing to enforce them, then you must follow with methods to enforce them, regardless of the threats.
Does the ROPE-A-DOPER work?
The Rope-A-Doper (+ our other products) work whether you use them or not. If you want to buy one as deterrent - like a guard dog that doesn’t bite - that works too. Buy the products. You won't regret it.
Should our products be the final say?
No, these products are not meant to be the final say. Dennis suggests to back up your findings via conversation with the offender, visual test, or lab test.
What if our products are proved wrong?
- Be willing to think outside the box to preserve the integrity of your rule book and the overall testing process.
- Be at peace with getting proved wrong and have a policy in place to make it right with the accused.
- Be willing to destroy a tire to get the information you need to make an informed decision. Buy the accused a tire if the testing comes back clean.
Should the ROPE-A-DOPER replace a lab?
No. The Rope-A-Doper is to tire testing what urine test strips are to drug testing. It's a quick screening tool, not proof. It applies controlled heat/energy to a tire and watches how fast the rubber reacts/ outgasses. A fast reaction means "possible issue", not "guilty." Just like a strip test, it cannot identify specific chemicals and cannot stand alone for enforcement.
Confirmation requires lab analysis-typically GC-MS (often paired with FTIR) - which is available at many labs, including universities. The Rope-A-Doper exists to decide which samples go to the lab, not to replace the lab.
How does the NOSEY work?
The Nosey detects foreign gases not consistent with compressed air and tire rubber. Nitrogen is an inert gas and when used in place of compressed air, does not affect the air quality inside a tire negatively nor does it mask the suspect gases.
If the Nosey detects foreign gases, we recommend breaking the tire down from the from the rim and visually inspecting the inside of the tire. If there is still no confirmation, take a sample of the inside of the tire and send to a lab.