waiheke1 Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 What would the cost be? It would save at least 15 minutes most meetings if they introduced transponders and green light starts. That has to improve the product which should be a 90 minute entertainment package Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 What would the cost be? It would save at least 15 minutes most meetings if they introduced transponders and green light starts. Depends on the system and options, but the MyLaps system which is used in many motorsports including motocross and your local kart track, can be had for around GBP 5k excluding transponders. TAG Heuer do a better system which has a list price of around GBP 10k from memory, although I'm sure that can be discounted. Motorcycle transponders are about GBP 250 quid each, so let's say around GBP 5k with some spares. However, you could shift that cost to the riders by insisting they have their own. Not sure of the practicalities of putting a timing loop under an area of the track that gets deeply rutted, but there's certainly photocell options that work with both the above systems. Of course, we're talking about a SGP series that still hasn't worked out how to provide telemetry in the pits, even though the most amateur of motor sports clubs can manage live timing on the Internet nowadays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Lee Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 Depends on the system and options, but the MyLaps system which is used in many motorsports including motocross and your local kart track, can be had for around GBP 5k excluding transponders. TAG Heuer do a better system which has a list price of around GBP 10k from memory, although I'm sure that can be discounted. Motorcycle transponders are about GBP 250 quid each, so let's say around GBP 5k with some spares. However, you could shift that cost to the riders by insisting they have their own. Not sure of the practicalities of putting a timing loop under an area of the track that gets deeply rutted, but there's certainly photocell options that work with both the above systems. Of course, we're talking about a SGP series that still hasn't worked out how to provide telemetry in the pits, even though the most amateur of motor sports clubs can manage live timing on the Internet nowadays. I still think that everyone is making it too complicated. Train the start marshals to bring them up to the tapes, shove wedges behind the back wheels once they are in position, then the only way they can move is forwards into the tapes. Tape touching = exclusion. In speed hill climbing they have a little ratchet device on the wedge which is used to inch the bike or car forwards until it is in the correct position in relation to the start line. And if you want to see slick organisation with never a hiccup on the start line, go and see a hillclimb. All done by amateurs. By the way, it's cheaper than speedway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPEEDY69 Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 I still think that everyone is making it too complicated. Train the start marshals to bring them up to the tapes, shove wedges behind the back wheels once they are in position, then the only way they can move is forwards into the tapes. Tape touching = exclusion. In speed hill climbing they have a little ratchet device on the wedge which is used to inch the bike or car forwards until it is in the correct position in relation to the start line. And if you want to see slick organisation with never a hiccup on the start line, go and see a hillclimb. All done by amateurs. By the way, it's cheaper than speedway. I can just imagine the track staff rushing to pick up these wedges, wherever they've landed, before the riders come around for the next lap! It's reasonably easy for the ref to see if anyone is moving before the tapes rise. In the UK they can be 75mm from the tapes, 100mm in Sweden I think (there will always be a gap to allow for the tapes to move in the wind) so there's always room for them to creep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 I can just imagine the track staff rushing to pick up these wedges, wherever they've landed, before the riders come around for the next lap! It's reasonably easy for the ref to see if anyone is moving before the tapes rise. In the UK they can be 75mm from the tapes, 100mm in Sweden I think (there will always be a gap to allow for the tapes to move in the wind) so there's always room for them to creep. Chain them together with one chain to pull them all off the Track together. There you go - problem solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangerBoy Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 Why are we trying to make things more complicated. its easy anyone touches the tapes your out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIRKYLANE Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 The " jump starts " are getting more frequent and more irritating with the passage of time. Whilst referees simply pull them back for a restart then riders will keeping trying and hope they get away with it occasionally. The referees have it in their power to stop this.... They can fine a rider for delaying the start once he had jumped the start..... perhaps all riders should be warned before the meeting by the referee that they will be fined if they jump the start.. They can then also exclude the rider if he repeats the offence . I wish that all referees would have it announced over the tannoy that the race is being restarted with a warning to rider A for jumping the start and if he does it again then he will be excluded from that race. Too harsh you might say ???? it will only happen to those who are not standing still at the tapes until they rise.... and if you read the rules it states that riders should remain stationary until the tapes rise !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Lee Posted September 9, 2015 Report Share Posted September 9, 2015 I can just imagine the track staff rushing to pick up these wedges, wherever they've landed, before the riders come around for the next lap! It's reasonably easy for the ref to see if anyone is moving before the tapes rise. In the UK they can be 75mm from the tapes, 100mm in Sweden I think (there will always be a gap to allow for the tapes to move in the wind) so there's always room for them to creep. Forgot to mention, the wedges are attached to a rod held by a (brave!) start marshal. Thinking about it, it works so well in hillclimbs and sprints because there's only one bike or car at a time, so once they are in position they can start whenever they like. As soon as they move, they break the timing beam and their elapsed time starts. A version could work in speedway, but how about plan B: Better tracks and lower-revving engines so that overtaking is possible, there's more onus on racing skills and the start won't be so crucial.............. In my dreams! Why are we trying to make things more complicated. its easy anyone touches the tapes your out. Agreed, as long as the start marshals make sure that they line up within the regulation distance from the tapes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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