Meeting With Sapol

[PREISS]

Just curious if it were mentioned about being pulled over unfairly for no reason ?

I have no problem with being defected . Just the annoying aspect of being pulled over all the time for no reason.

[Nene260RS]

yeah Craig, Neil agrees there aren't enough officers who know what is and isn't delectable, therefore they pull over anyone and everyone with an import. Training is being carried out to fix this problem

[SLAPS]

As i have already stated above, Neil advised that it "wouldn't be a regular thing"... So anyone with any sense would know there will always be the risk of being inspected. Reuben, Ben and i covered alot in the meeting, and i feel we've given adequate feedback... If anyone else thinks they can do a better job, then friggen go for it!!!!

Apologies if I offended. Must admit I missed Ruby's post and only remembered the clear that up when Neil joins.

Rubys -

This will vary from cop to cop, and from cruise to cruise, or individual drivers. But do expect hood popping to occur on the 'odd' occasion if they're given cause to. The upside is, they want to treat us fairer. It boils down to buyer beware ... as mentioned above.

Nenes

Neil said the "hood popping" wasn't going to be a regular thing...

Rubys post states if they are given cause to which is the way it has always been in the past. Cruises etc usually go untouched providing every one is well behaved and there are no complaints from the public.

So is it not going to be a regular thing or will it only be if they are given cause to?

Edited February 16, 2009 by TheRogue

[PREISS]

Cool. thanks. that was the one genuine question I wanted asked.

Alittle unfair that we are the ones being pulled over for their lack of knowledge.

Thanks for asking.

[Nene260RS]

lol no worries... just for you craig

[RubyRS4]

That is the silliest reason I've ever heard! That means me leaving my car to idle for a few minutes is defectable

No. Using a turbo timer is defectable.

People still wont listen even though Martin knows what he's on about

Some people just want the one answer they want to hear. Regardless how many times its explained to them.

Thanks for your input anyway Martin.

At the end of the day it seems easier to try and get along with the police then prove who is right.

Hooray ... the smartest thing I've read yet Joel.

so does this mean i have to keep all my receipts of all completed work by a "PRO" workshop in my glove box????

so if i get pulled over i just show the police officer them and he will be more lenient or even let you off???

i dont bloody think so!!!!

damn if this was true i'd go back to my old topmount set up!!!!

if u choose to modify your car then you take the risk of getting defected no matter what police officer it is, showing receipts wont change anything!!!

I have no problem doing this. Its your pride and joy. How hard is it to keep some paperwork in the glovebox?

You talk like you don't have faith in a fairer system. This is not an all-or-nothing debate. Compromises on each side will be given. Take your chances how you see fit. But there is an opportunity now to generate a better import image.

Exactly, however Ruby is stating is that Neil shows respect for those that 'maintain' and have modifications performed by pro's as it cuts out the backyarder aspect out which 'can' be extremely dangerous.

There's no way of policing the backyarder so by simply stating if mods performed are by a pro (providing the mod is not a major mod) then you won't be bent over for stupid little things if it is suspected your car is just a 'little' unroadworthy. i.e slightly too low, tint or slightly loud exhaust.

If the Police decide to do a random inspection at one of the events regardless if people are behaving (which really should have been cleared up at the meeting) those with anything around the turbo area (different turbo elbow, different actuator etc) that doesn't look stock will be pinged. Suspected different turbo is considered a major mod.

The short story is: show some professional conduct in the modifying of your car and the police will show professional conduct and fairness in the inspection of your car.

Things were discussed at the meeting as we saw fit. Surprise inspections were discussed. If you wanted a bigger say in it, you should have made yourself available at the meeting. Cops have the right to inspect your car ... our concern we voiced was about the training of the police conducting those inspections, not when and where they are performed. If police are better trained and take a club's reputation into consideration, they'd be a bit more relaxed on cruises and be less inclined to pop bonnets. Neil indicated that cruises will be treated more as "monitoring" rather than "inspecting".

Rubys post states if they are given cause to which is the way it has always been in the past. Cruises etc usually go untouched providing every one is well behaved and there are no complaints from the public.

So is it not going to be a regular thing or will it only be if they are given cause to?

Stop making your head spin by running circles around what we've been saying and misunderstanding it. Hood popping isn't going to be a regular thing, but there will be the odd occasion when it is required by the police. It is up to them to decide, whether due to an obviously unsafe car showing up at a cruise or simple suspicion. I don't write their job description. I'm not a cop and I'm not Jesus, so this isn't the word of God.

Can we stay focused on the topic please! We've been given an inch, and some people want a mile. Lets take this movement in the right direction in small steps. Its not a discussion about your car and your car only, its about the SAU community as a whole.

Edited February 16, 2009 by RubyRS4

[SLAPS]

Now your heads spinning.

Regardless of your previous post stating to expect hood popping on the 'odd' occasion if they're given cause to its along the lines of what Nene stated.

As you have 'now' stated its not going to be regular but will occur on the odd occasion. When organising events where Neil will be invited please make sure this is is in bold right up the top as it is unfair for those who don't know any better to cruise along with their car that is tastefully modified only to have it defected as it has engine modifications.

As I stated above Ruby; its mega easy to tell if a car has a highflow, so simply looking out for those that might be unnecessarily stung.

[SLAPS]

Now I'm at work and got some brekky in to me.

Its all good Ruby/Nene props for the efforts.

As long as people are well aware hood popping may occur regardless if people behave then all will be fine. Its then up to the individual if they wish to take the risk when attending a sapol notified cruise/event.

But all is good. As long as people are well aware there shouldn't be too many problems or whining when they do get defected.

However over time as a relationship builds it may get to the point where SAU is left alone and inspections are a thing of the past. Providing every one is well behaved.

Edited February 16, 2009 by TheRogue

[RubyRS4]

Now I'm at work and got some brekky in to me.

Its all good Ruby/Nene props for the efforts.

As long as people are well aware hood popping may occur regardless if people behave then all will be fine. Its then up to the individual if they wish to take the risk when attending a sapol notified cruise/event.

But all is good. As long as people are well aware there shouldn't be too many problems or whining when they do get defected.

However over time as a relationship builds it may get to the point where SAU is left alone and inspections are a thing of the past. Providing every one is well behaved.

Exactly

[TALBO]

I'll probably get flamed for typing this..... btw this is not directed at anyone in particular

Car = Weapon whether we like it or not

There are design regulations for a reason and I don't get this whole 'I'm scared of hood popping" thing. If my/your car is in COMPLIANCE with the law and regulations (as it should be) why would I/you be worried about hood popping.

I don't have illegal mods on my car and I am a law abiding member of the community (no, I'm no saint either) with no convictions or warrants, so why do I care if I get pulled over. I don't care because I have nothing to hide

Maybe someone can explain why there's a fear of 'hood popping'...? I understand that we have uneducated police that are likely to defect you because they don't know, but realistically anyone here that's done an illegal mod to their car is bright enough to know that there's a chance you're going to get caught and defected because it is in fact illegal sooner or later

[RubyRS4]

I'll probably get flamed for typing this..... btw this is not directed at anyone in particular

Car = Weapon whether we like it or not

There are design regulations for a reason and I don't get this whole 'I'm scared of hood popping" thing. If my/your car is in COMPLIANCE with the law and regulations (as it should be) why would I/you be worried about hood popping.

I don't have illegal mods on my car and I am a law abiding member of the community (no, I'm no saint either) with no convictions or warrants, so why do I care if I get pulled over. I don't care because I have nothing to hide

Maybe someone can explain why there's a fear of 'hood popping'...? I understand that we have uneducated police that are likely to defect you because they don't know, but realistically anyone here that's done an illegal mod to their car is bright enough to know that there's a chance you're going to get caught and defected because it is in fact illegal sooner or later

I agree.

Regarding the hood popping. I believe it is more of a fear of the outcome of the hood popping, of either (a) being defected unfairly; or (b) knowing you're going to be defected.

In the case of (a) above, the said driver might have a totally stock car, but fear that the officer inspecting under the bonnet doesn't know what he is looking at and will send the car to Regency anyway to let them find the suspected illegal mod.

In the case of (b) above, the said driver might have some major mods under the bonnet and fear the officer knows what he is looking for, and will subsequently defect the vehicle and send it to Regency.

The meeting with SAPOL will iron out inconsistencies and make the (a) scenario much fairer. Hood popping will occur less, and when it does occur the driver's car will be inspected fairly. However, if you have major mods, (b) still applies If police are better trained and not left to suspecting a mod (and add to that, the driver has documented evidence of carrying out a mod correctly, professionally and safely) then there will be less fear of police and the dreaded defects.

[SLAPS]

Addressed by Ruby.

In addition you may drive around depending on the area you live/drive for many years with engine modifications and may not be defected. Attend an event that you know police provide inspections and one would have to be silly.

Really nothing more needs to be said on this matter I feel its cleared up.

Edited February 16, 2009 by TheRogue

[TALBO]

I agree.

Regarding the hood popping. I believe it is more of a fear of the outcome of the hood popping, of either (a) being defected unfairly; or (b) knowing you're going to be defected.

In the case of (a) above, the said driver might have a totally stock car, but fear that the officer inspecting under the bonnet doesn't know what he is looking at and will send the car to Regency anyway to let them find the suspected illegal mod.

In the case of (b) above, the said driver might have some major mods under the bonnet and fear the officer knows what he is looking for, and will subsequently defect the vehicle and send it to Regency.

The meeting with SAPOL will iron out inconsistencies and make the (a) scenario much fairer. Hood popping will occur less, and when it does occur the driver's car will be inspected fairly. However, if you have major mods, (b) still applies If police are better trained and not left to suspecting a mod (and add to that, the driver has documented evidence of carrying out a mod correctly, professionally and safely) then there will be less fear of police and the dreaded defects.

So it's basically what I was getting at with these uneducated police. That's fair enough, I can understand that.

Lets hope that something does come from all this and that police are going to be better educated when dealing with imports. It's still a shame that they don't target commondore drivers in the same manner.....

[SLAPS]

It's still a shame that they don't target commondore drivers in the same manner.....

Ahh but they do.. VL Turbo's are harassed to no end. Simply because the cars are so easily to obtain power from and so easy to make modifications to.

Its the nature of the car. A cheapish turbo car will always be harassed as it is a performance car easily modified and can be a deadly weapon in the hands of an inexperienced driver.

Edited February 16, 2009 by TheRogue

[Damo_R34]

So it's basically what I was getting at with these uneducated police. That's fair enough, I can understand that.

Lets hope that something does come from all this and that police are going to be better educated when dealing with imports. It's still a shame that they don't target commondore drivers in the same manner.....

How do you know they don't?

[TALBO]

How do you know they don't?

When I listen to Leon on the radio in the shed and they talk about hoons and high powered cars they're always talking about imports. Its on the news too mate! When I see a car pulled over with the hood up and it's not often..... 99.9% of the time it's an import.

I'm not saying they don't touch commodores, but I think you get what I'm on about.

Correct me if I'm wrong and you know that commodore dickheads get the same treatment import drivers get, because if they get the same treatment I'll gladly put my hand up and admit I'm wrong

[TALBO]

Ahh but they do.. VL Turbo's are harassed to no end. Simply because the cars are so easily to obtain power from and so easy to make modifications to.

Can't say I've seen a VL turbo pulled over but fair point

Its the nature of the car. A cheapish turbo car will always be harassed as it is a performance car easily modified and can be a deadly weapon in the hands of an inexperienced driver.

Any car is a deadly weapon, powerful or not experienced driver or not. Even the best of the best make mistakes....

[Krishy]

^^^ i on a certain level agree with you steve

if commodore drivers got the same treatment as us import drivers do

then almost 80% of those VN's would be defectable

[Boof]

This shouldn't be a tit for tat issue lads, ignore the commonwhore driving bogans in their V6 commys and lets focus on us and what we have to do to get the heat back off of the import community then the police might focus more on other things...

[Swiper the Fox]

A clear line of communication between cruise organisers and police is a good thing. I always involve our police in planning cruises and have never had a problem. One cruise the police met us at our destination and chatted with us. We already had all our 'hoods popped' so they could have a look...all the cars were modified to some extent. No fines defects etc. Im currently in the early stages of orgainising a cruise where the Blood Bank 'donormobile' will meet us and we will all donate blood...im going to ask the coppers to attend and match us 'pint for pint' per person.

Edited February 17, 2009 by DiRTgarage