Starting Line Gardening

[coventry1963]

Just a thought after seeing the 2 minute clock last night at Coventry. How about having a 30 ,45 or 60 second countdown from the time the fourth rider in a race is under power on the track as a standard procedure. Might encourage first riders to get round to start quicker (more time for that rider to garden) and might stop a rider being slow to appear, then delay the start as well. You could even let race start as usual but rider would be excluded under time allowance. Last night several riders were not stationary at tapes after two minutes had elapsed and ref did nothing and the two minutes effectively therefore served little purpose as not enforced.

 

Anything that speeds up the time between heats needs considering. Years ago Charles Ochiltree always said anything over six minutes a race (including the race itself) was too long (obviously excluding injuries etc) and he told track staff four and half minutes was good. 20 races (including second half in those days) completed by 9.30 pm on many occasions, with a start time of 7.30pm and an interval.

 

Any opinions?

[Gemini]

Last night several riders were not stationary at tapes after two minutes had elapsed and ref did nothing and the two minutes effectively therefore served little purpose as not enforced.

Yes, the only thing missing was Dave Robinson. He would have excluded a few for not being ready.

[kelvinht]

The two minute time allowance should include all the gardening and messing about riders do at the tapes. If they aren't ready then they should be excluded. Much as I love NKI at Kings Lynn, the amount of time he takes to get ready at the tapes seems worse than most riders.

 

...and if there is a false start, riders should go straight back round. Although watching races from years gone by, as long as riders didn't cause a tapes infringement the ref used to let it go. Don't see why it shouldn't be the same now. If a rider anticipates the start, then he shouldn't be penalised. If he messes himself up or touches the tapes then its his own fault. Net result is less riders hitting first bend together and maybe less first bend incidents.

[Halifordukesfan]

Bring the concrete starting gate back, that would stop the gardening, might go through more tyres though.

[Trees]

Within reason of course but my thoughts are that we should be tolerant of our riders at the starting gate. If we can't give a minute or two for them to get prepared, settled and focused for the start of a race which to be frank, could be their last, then we're a pretty sad lot?

[The White Knight]

Within reason of course but my thoughts are that we should be tolerant of our riders at the starting gate. If we can't give a minute or two for them to get prepared, settled and focused for the start of a race which to be frank, could be their last, then we're a pretty sad lot?

There is a world of difference in being tolerant and being bored rigid. I have no problem with a Rider taking a few seconds to get himself sorted out and ready - what I do have a problem with is those who go on and on and on for ages. I don't pay to watch Gardening - damn it - I don't even like Gardening. :angry:

[weatherwatcher]

At some meetings they spend far to much time mucking about. They might as well get out a spade and plant a row of potatoes, because that is about the time they spend there. The 2 min rule should be that get them to the tape in plenty of time to do what they want at the start position, if they aren't ready then they are left behind.

[The White Knight]

At some meetings they spend far to much time mucking about. They might as well get out a spade and plant a row of potatoes, because that is about the time they spend there. The 2 min rule should be that get them to the tape in plenty of time to do what they want at the start position, if they aren't ready then they are left behind.

Tai's already been there and done that. He probably has the Tee Shirt too. :rofl:

[BWitcher]

People just moan and moan and moan.

 

I could think of nothing worse than 4 riders coming round to the tapes and within a couple of seconds being off into the race. Awful.

 

A race that is built up correctly, with the right music playing and the riders introduced as they do their digging, rituals etc can be spine tingling.

[brianbuck]

This problem will never be solved unless someone somewhere can come up with some kind of starting area "mat" which can be safely laid on top of the shale along the full length and depth of what used to be known as the starting grid. This needs to be of a material which is heavy enough not to move under the pressure of a sudden rear wheel surge, won't be a serious hazard if a rider falls on it, and will afford a consistent level of grip to the riders rear wheels. This would rule out anything made of concrete or metal.

 

I have a static caravan at a site in mid-Wales and the site owner uses some lengths of a very heavy toughened rubber material to cover any trenches he has to dig for maintenance work. These are about 8/10 feet in length and about 4 feet wide and have deep ribbing over their full lengths, and I feel that they could be just the job for use in the way I have described. They are heavy enough not to move and although anyone falling onto one during a race would find it pretty painful, I don't think it would hurt them any more than falling on the shale would.

 

I have mentioned all this to the site owner and he would be quite willing to bring four of them to one of the Midland tracks for them to be tested. All he asks in return is free admission on the night for himself and his family. Alan Phillips was interested in trying them out after one of the Birmingham meetings before the track closed, but although I have written to two of the other Midland tracks and sent them a photo of these mats, there has been no response some presumably they are not interested.

[The White Knight]

This problem will never be solved unless someone somewhere can come up with some kind of starting area "mat" which can be safely laid on top of the shale along the full length and depth of what used to be known as the starting grid. This needs to be of a material which is heavy enough not to move under the pressure of a sudden rear wheel surge, won't be a serious hazard if a rider falls on it, and will afford a consistent level of grip to the riders rear wheels. This would rule out anything made of concrete or metal.

 

I have a static caravan at a site in mid-Wales and the site owner uses some lengths of a very heavy toughened rubber material to cover any trenches he has to dig for maintenance work. These are about 8/10 feet in length and about 4 feet wide and have deep ribbing over their full lengths, and I feel that they could be just the job for use in the way I have described. They are heavy enough not to move and although anyone falling onto one during a race would find it pretty painful, I don't think it would hurt them any more than falling on the shale would.

 

I have mentioned all this to the site owner and he would be quite willing to bring four of them to one of the Midland tracks for them to be tested. All he asks in return is free admission on the night for himself and his family. Alan Phillips was interested in trying them out after one of the Birmingham meetings before the track closed, but although I have written to two of the other Midland tracks and sent them a photo of these mats, there has been no response some presumably they are not interested.

Probably - it would Cost.

[brianbuck]

I don't think it would be particularly expensive to buy four of these mats,and I think they would probably last for at least a season before they needed replacing. Those stored at the site I refer to have been used for several years and there is virtually no wear on any of them. The only maintenance they require is the occasional blast with a hosepipe to clear the mud that sticks in the ribbing.