Works in professional drag racing. Seems like it'd help prevent false starts in the sprints, especially since every start official has a different cadence before the start gun.
Granted, most sprinters are looking down at the ground while in the blocks and don't look up until 30m or so into the race. But even if there was a consistent pinging sound for each light on the "Christmas tree" (3 amber lights and then green, counting down 3 2 1 go) it seems like it would make the start smoother.
This is a good idea, but the consequence would be a very different event.
Not really. Bolt would still win everything.
Sure, I get what you're saying about sprinters then being able to time their start instead of just react. The WRs would almost have to be two separate columns. I understand that. But imo, the overall outcome of races would not change. The Powells of the world are still going to get out fast and the Tysons of the world are still going to close fast.
Honestly though, I think if the IAAF is going to keep the no tolerance false start rule, then a consistently timed start needs to be in place. Like the quote on the front page says, someone important in the world of sprinting is going to be left out of the WC finals or the WC altogether because some starter somewhere in the world who lags too long.
Sounds like its time for a "smart" starter's pistol. Wouldn't it be trivial to modify a cell phone to allow the starter to hit a button on the screen and then the phone automatically, but within time limits, randomly calls the commands?
I think we should put sprinters in chutes with doors on the front like in horse racing.
drag racing is not athletics
I think that is an excellent idea. Sure, it would change the event. But track has to evolve from time to time. Sprinters didn't always start out of blocks. Track surfaces have changed. We didn't always have F.A.T., etc.
I hate watching sprinters have to re-start the race several times because of all the false starts, and I'm a track fan. Non-track fans who happen upon the race while channel surfing will almost certainly lose interest after a couple false starts drag things out for 10 mins without any actual racing. A new starting method like the one you described would be good for the sport.
i kinda like running wrote:
I think that is an excellent idea. Sure, it would change the event. But track has to evolve from time to time. Sprinters didn't always start out of blocks. Track surfaces have changed. We didn't always have F.A.T., etc.
I hate watching sprinters have to re-start the race several times because of all the false starts, and I'm a track fan. Non-track fans who happen upon the race while channel surfing will almost certainly lose interest after a couple false starts drag things out for 10 mins without any actual racing. A new starting method like the one you described would be good for the sport.
I hadn't even thought of the fact that it would get meets moving faster, which is a major issue to track not being on TV enough and in making meets palatable for fans in the stands.
I don't know about the drag racing countdown, but it should be electronic. It makes no sense to me that sprint starts at elite meets aren't automated. The starter could call the runners to their mark, then when he's ready to call "Set", instead of yelling, he'd press a button, the program would call "Set" over a speaker, then the gun would be fired electronically after a specified interval. This can't be that hard.
Makes not the slightest difference to me, sprints are track races and track is a dieing sport. I am a road racer and road racing, especially the half marathon and marathon, is growing, boming sport.
So sad for those trackies and their problems but oh well.
I think it is a great idea - but practically speaking, you would have to hang a christmas tree over each lane...expensive and impractical.
Wouldn't be fair to have just one.
But I like the idea in concept.
agip wrote:
I think it is a great idea - but practically speaking, you would have to hang a christmas tree over each lane...expensive and impractical.
Wouldn't be fair to have just one.
But I like the idea in concept.
No you wouldn't. You could use a beeping sound like they use at the start of downhill ski races. Now, the beeping there actually tells the skier the window of time they can start, and the timing starts once they break open the little gate.
BUT the beeping is on a regular interval and is loud. So, "runners to your marks".....SET..beep..beep..beep..POW! Off they go. False start on that? You're out, no sympathy.
Yes, the lights are really a non-factor. The beeps are what would matter.
Blip... Blip... Blip... BEEP!
It would eliminate false starts and solve all the problems with sprinting.
It wouldn't change anything with regard to reaction, they are still reacting to a noise. At least it would alter things MUCH less than the switch to FAT.
No need to for separate record columns. FAT would have affected times much more than this would.
Clean Coal wrote:
Yes, the lights are really a non-factor. The beeps are what would matter.
Blip... Blip... Blip... BEEP!
It would eliminate false starts and solve all the problems with sprinting.
I'm not a sprinter, but this seems like a no brainer and no more expensive or technologically complicated than the current system. I don't see anything in favor of the current system instead of something like this.
I agree I have been saying this for years. It just makes more sense to have a universal signal rather than a random starters cadence. Sound would probably be the cheapest option but it would also work with small led light bars for each lane. This would solve all these peoples problems that complain about false starts or unfair dis quals. I am by no means a fan of NASCAR or drag racing but they do seem to get a lot of fans, perhaps it would even increase the fan base if it were more visualy exciting.
jimmymango wrote:
The starter could call the runners to their mark, then when he's ready to call "Set", instead of yelling, he'd press a button, the program would call "Set" over a speaker, then the gun would be fired electronically after a specified interval.
I see you, like many others on this thread, haven't actually read the rules.
After 'Set', the gun is not to be fired until all athletes are actually set. Your automated system does not account for that.
Um, yeah wrote:I see you, like many others on this thread, haven't actually read the rules.
After 'Set', the gun is not to be fired until all athletes are actually set. Your automated system does not account for that.
So maybe you need another signal in there between "set" and the gun.
The starter calls "set," when he/she sees that everyone is set he hits a button that starts a beep, beep, beep, BEEEEP sequence. A false start is leaving before the BEEEEP, and the sprinters can time their starts from the 1st "beep."
Well, if the sprinters would come to set when the starter called set, instead of taking their sweet time, the automated thing would work.
Seriously, how long does it take to get in the blocks and then get set?
distance nerd wrote:
Well, if the sprinters would come to set when the starter called set, instead of taking their sweet time, the automated thing would work.
Seriously, how long does it take to get in the blocks and then get set?
Exactly. Sprinters would just have to adjust to the new system. My money says most sprinters would prefer an automated start to the current set up, even if they have to make adjustments. Besides, an automated "blip blip blip BEEP" cadence should give sprinters plenty of time to get set.
Wouldn't guys try to anticipate the gun/light/beep and false start even more then?
A better thread is how the hell did professional sprinters run before they were told to run, and DQ themselves out of their whole purpose at the meet. Sorry, unsympathetic spindly distance runner here.