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Like most, I had always thought the finish line was at the top of the jump where the flagman stands. The rule I've cut and pasted would seem to indicate that is where you have to cross to have a lap count. Certainly I've never seen a finish line drawn on the ground when I've done a track walk (unlike the holeshot line, which they do draw on the ground).
The explanation GuyB got was that they can't put the transponder loop at the top because it's in a PVC pipe and it would get exposed from wear of the track. So they put it further down the face, and apparently that's where they also score the laps and finish.
The Shop
Peick was ahead at the top of the jump, but apparently that is not the finish line.
I suspect the rules evolved this way:
Originally the rules were all about the scorekeepers since that's all there was.
An accommodation was added for the possibility of a photo finish which could override the initial scorekeepers' call.
Transponders came on the scene and they began using them to allow timing and some automation in the scoring.
I'm guessing that at some race the transponder pipe got exposed and caused a problem, so they decided to move it down the face of the jump to fix that. However they didn't write a rule to clarify that they'd moved the finish line, and they didn't do anything to move the flagman from the top of the jump. If you've ever walked one of those tracks you know it's not possible to stand on the slope of the finish line jump. It's too steep and there's no place to stand. The side of the hill will give way if you step on it.
Despite using transponders for general scoring and timing, which is very accurate and not a problem for qualifying times, because the position of the transponder on the bike is fixed on a given bike, and the time goes from transponder signal to transponder signal the next time through. However, since the transponder is not mounted on the forwardmost part of the bike (which is the tire), if the race is closer than half a bike length, the transponder cannot be relied upon to distinguish the winner, since that is based on the forwardmost part of the bike crossing the plane of the finish line.
And that's the situation that caused the events of Saturday.
If you accept that the finish line is where the PVC pipe sticks out of the side, not the top of the jump, it all makes sense.
I'm callin BS...
why would we want to except that?
the finish line is at the FLAG. End of Fucking story! And NO, it is NOT HARD to make a platform for the flagman to stand on halfway up the jump... i have installed many.
bottom line. lack of THEIR foresight cost someone money.... they should have admitted a mess up and just allowed both to the main. THEN, modified the rulebook and let everyone know that the new finish line is only halfway up... (if thats what they decide)
"And as great as FI thumpers are, they're drawing the sport away from the accessibility that helped it grow. Imagine 10 years from now a new rider buying a used bike to see how he liked motocross. Pretty daunting. The four strokes could make the recreational rider extinct. Now that's something scary that might be sneaking up on all of us!"
#1 Weston was scored a faster finish then Faith as that is what the transponder said.
#2 In the picture it clearly shows Weston ahead of Faith at the top of the jump ( where the finish line flag is )
#3 Both #1 and #2 don't matter....because FIM decided to say the actual "finish line" is at the bottom of the finish line jump.
#4......You have Loudog and Old mate that have their sons racing all over the world in the biggest shows on the planet....and THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS SHIT! Along with 99% of the guys in this thread.
Here is a thought......now that we know the actual finish line is at the bottom of the jump.....How hard are the last corner take outs going to be now? Screw it if you don't make it to the actual flag......as long as you come out of the corner ahead of the next guy....who cares?
Regardless it was a bad move by the powers that be.....
Pit Row
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