Proposal 69: Various changes to starting rules [ Revision 3 ]

Committee: Track
Submitted on 2019-05-22
Status: Passed on June 07, 2019

Background

There are no essential changes but the new rule should be a lot clearer.

A lot of text from 2C.3 has been moved to 2B.8, with some changes for clarity and perspective.

Proposal

OLD RULE:

2B.6.7 Starting

Riders start mounted, holding onto a starting post or other support. Unicycle riders need to be leaning forward before the starting gun fires, so the Starter will give a four-count start. Example: “One, two, three, BANG!” This allows riders to predict the timing of the gun, for a fair start.

As an alternative a start-beep apparatus can be used. In that case we have a six-count start. Example: “beep - beep -beep - beep - beep - buup!” The timing between beeps is one second. The first 5 beeps have all the same frequency. The final tone (buup) has a higher frequency, so that the racer can easily distinguish this tone from the rest. The proper moment to start is the beginning of the final tone.

Riders start with the fronts of their tires (forward most part of wheel) behind the edge of the starting line that is farthest from the finish line. Rolling starts are not permitted in any race. However, riders may start from behind the starting line if they wish, provided all other starting rules are followed. Riders may lean before the gun fires, but their wheels may not move forward at any time. Rolling back is allowed, but nothing forward.
Riders may place starting posts in the location most comfortable for them, as long as it doesn’t interfere with other riders.

2B.6.8 False Starts

A false start occurs if a rider’s wheel moves forward before the start signal, or if one or more riders are forced to dismount due to interference from another rider or other source.

2C.3 Starter Responsibilities

There should be about 3/4 second between each element in the count, with the same amount of time between each of them. Starters should practice this before the races begin. Timing of the count is very important for an accurate start. This count can be in the local language, or a language agreed upon before competition starts.

Riders start mounted, holding onto a starting post or other support. Unicycle riders need to be leaning forward before the starting gun fires, so the Starter will give a four-count start. Example: “One, two, three, BANG!” This allows riders to predict the timing of the gun, for a fair start.

As an alternative a start-beep apparatus can be used. In that case we have a six-count start. Example: “beep - beep -beep - beep - beep - buup!” The timing between beeps is one second. The first 5 beeps have all the same frequency. The final tone (buup) has a slightly higher frequency, so that the racer can easily distinguish this tone from the rest.

If a heat has to be restarted, the Starter will immediately recall the riders, for example by firing a gun or blowing a whistle or other clear and predefined signal. It is only the earliest false starting rider who gets assigned this false start and might get disqualified.

There are two options on how to deal with false starts:

• One False Start Allowed Per Rider: In case of a false start, the heat is restarted. Any rider(s) who caused their personal first false start may start again. Any rider(s) causing their personal second false start are disqualified.

• One False Start Allowed Per Heat: In case of a false start, the heat is restarted. For the first false start of a particular heat, all riders may start again. Thereafter, any rider(s) causing a false start are disqualified. This option should not be used without an electronic false start monitoring system.

NEW RULE:

2B.6.7 Starting

This procedure is used for all Track Races, unless noted otherwise.

Riders start mounted, holding onto a starting post or other support.

Usually, a start-beep apparatus is used. This provides a six-count start: “beep - beep -beep - beep - beep - buup!” The timing between (the start of) successive beeps is one second. The first five beeps have all the same sound frequency. The final tone (buup) has a higher frequency, so that the competitors can easily distinguish this tone from the rest. The proper moment to start is the beginning of the final tone.

As an alternative, the Starter will give a three-count start before firing a starting gun on the fourth count. Example: “One, two, three, BANG!” The time between each of these elements should be the same, and approximately 3/4 seconds. This allows riders to predict the timing of the gun, for a fair start.

Riders start with the fronts of their tires (forward most part of wheel) behind the edge of the starting line that is farthest from the finish line. Rolling starts are not permitted in any race. Riders may start from behind the starting line if they wish, provided all other starting rules are followed. Riders may lean before the start, but their wheels may not move forward during the start beeps or counting down. Rolling back is allowed. Riders may place starting posts in the location most comfortable for them, as long as it doesn’t interfere with other riders.

2B.6.8 False starts

A false start occurs if a rider’s wheel moves forward before the start signal, or if one or more riders are forced to dismount due to interference from another rider or other source.

If a heat has to be restarted, the Starter will immediately recall the riders, for example by blowing a whistle or other clear and predefined signal. Only the earliest false starting rider gets assigned this false start and the associated warning or disqualification.

There are two options on how to deal with false starts:

• One False Start Allowed Per Heat: After a first false start of a particular heat, all riders may start again. Thereafter, any rider(s) causing a false start are disqualified for this event. This option should not be used without an electronic false start monitoring system."

• One False Start Allowed Per Rider: After a first false start of a particular heat, the rider in question receives a warning, and the heat is restarted with all riders. Any rider(s) causing their personal second false start are disqualified for this event.

2C.3 Starter Responsibilities

Most Starter Responsibilities follow from the text in 2B.6.7, Starting and 2B.6.8, False Starts.

If a verbal (spoken) count is used, there should be about 3/4 second between each element in the count, with the same amount of time between each of them. Starters should practice this before the races begin. Timing of the count is very important for an accurate start. This count can be in the local language, or a language agreed upon before competition starts.

Body

See discussion 142

References

https://iuf-rulebook-2018.committees.unicycling-software.com/discussions/142


Discussion

View Discussion

Change Log:

Revision 3 changed by Klaas Bil (23 May 15:15)

Removed "with the exception of Slow Balance" from 2B.6.7.
Reason: the rules in 2B.6.7 are only about races, not technical disciplines.

Revision 2 changed by Klaas Bil (23 May 14:24)

In 2C.3, a reference is added to 2B.6.7 and 2B.6.8.
The text in 2B.6.7 and 2B.6.8 is very important for both the Riders (hence it is in section B), and the Starter (hence the reference from section C).

Revision 1 changed by Klaas Bil (22 May 08:55)

Votes on this proposal:

8 out of 10 voting members have voted.

Agree: 8, Disagree: 0, Abstain: 0.


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