Bigger race numbers!

[Badjelly]

Mrs Jelly and I had a great time on Saturday & Sunday spectating at the Nationals at Manfeild. Thanks to VMCC, the volunteers, and the racers and helpers for putting on such a good show.

Listening to the commentator was entertaining, though not always in an entirely good way . One of the things he mentioned was that he had trouble working out which racer was which because the numbers on the bikes are small, and not always at an angle that makes them easy to see (eg on top of the tailpiece). Er, yes, I'd noticed that myself actually. He explained that the rules used to require big numbers on the side of the bikes so they could be seen by the officials, but now the bikes had transponders that wasn't necessary.

Here's a suggestion: make big numbers on the side of the bikes compulsory, not for the officials but for the spectators. That's assuming that putting on a show for the spectators is one of the points to the whole exercise. (If not, then forget I mentioned it. I'll still gladly come and watch anyway, but I'm not sure about some of the others.)

[Kickaha]

He explained that the rules used to require big numbers on the side of the bikes so they could be seen by the officials.

The rules still do require big numbers but no one enforces it as most bikes now don't have space for them

10-2-3 ROAD RACING (all classes) except the following classes in Appendix A, B, C and F – see
class rules
Size: Minimum width 285mm, minimum height 235mm, oval or rectangular in shape.
Placement: 3 number boards to be affixed or placed upon the motorcycle, in colours
required for the class as follows:
Front: Facing forwards, with not more than 30 degrees forwards from vertical.
Sides: One either side of the motorcycle in a position clearly visible when the rider (and
passenger for sidecars) is seated in their usual riding position.
In a place on separate boards, a space of equivalent size and shape can be on the bodywork
or streamlining.
Figures: Must be clearly legible in the required colour for class, the following minimum
dimensions:
Height of Figure 140mm Space between figures 15mm
Width of Figure 80mm Width of Stroke 25mm
A plain form of figure shall be used with no scrolls or pinstripe.

[scrivy]

One of the things he mentioned was that he had trouble working out which racer was which because the numbers on the bikes are small, and not always at an angle that makes them easy to see (eg on top of the tailpiece). Er, yes, I'd noticed that myself actually. He explained that the rules used to require big numbers on the side of the bikes so they could be seen by the officials, but now the bikes had transponders that wasn't necessary.
Not true. The rulebook still states a certain size and colour must be used.

Here's a suggestion: make big numbers on the side of the bikes compulsory, not for the officials but for the spectators. That's assuming that putting on a show for the spectators is one of the points to the whole exercise. (If not, then forget I mentioned it. I'll still gladly come and watch anyway, but I'm not sure about some of the others.)

What would happen if the power went out at a major meeting, and the transponders failed? Carnage!! We have such a reliance on electronics, that we have become complacent on the rules.
I for one can't make out who's who either sometimes.

[Kickaha]

What would happen if the power went out at a major meeting, and the transponders failed? Carnage!!

Lets blow the fuse box up at the next meeting and see

[scrivy]

The rules still do require big numbers but no one enforces it as most bikes now don't have space for them
Front: Facing forwards, with not more than 30 degrees forwards from vertical.
Sides: One either side of the motorcycle in a position clearly visible when the rider (and
passenger for sidecars) is seated in their usual riding position.
In a place on separate boards, a space of equivalent size and shape can be on the bodywork
or streamlining.

Kick, who says numbers must be on the tailpieces? That's just where everyone puts them for looks. There is a massive area for numbers on each side, it's called a main fairing!

[Kickaha]

Kick, who says numbers must be on the tailpieces? That's just where everyone puts them for looks. There is a massive area for numbers on each side, it's called a main fairing!

I don't think any regulation does but it just became the normal place to put them, look back far enough and they used to be on the sides of the main fairing, however that is now mostly filled with sponsors logos, one bike I saw at the weekend only had one number on the rear and that was on top of the tailpeice , you'd only see it if you were in a Helicopter

[scrivy]

one bike I saw at the weekend only had one number on the rear and that was on top of the tailpeice , you'd only see it if you were in a Helicopter

oooooo.... I can see another reason for people to protest then....... lol

[Tony.OK]

Taken from appendix "C" for SBK's

2-1
Size. Backboard.
Width 285mm
Minimum height 23mm,
Oval or rectangular in shape.
Figures must be clearly legible to the following minimum dimensions.
Height of figures 160mm
Width of figures 100mm
Space between figures 20mm
Width of strokes 30mm
Figure Font to be in Arial Black
Number Placement
Fairing, Front of fairing "one number" board facing forward
Seat tailpiece, Minimum of "one number on rear seat tailpiece". In the case of a dispute concerning the legibility of numbers, the decision of the technical steward will be final.

So that two #'s minimum, alot of tail pieces now don't have room for 2 "legal" sized #'s

[blueblade]

I totally agree. Its much more interesting from a spectators point of view when you can identify riders you might know something about. Heaps of bikes out there at the moment where you have no chance of picking up their numbers from track side.

[Tony.OK]

Kick, who says numbers must be on the tailpieces? That's just where everyone puts them for looks. There is a massive area for numbers on each side, it's called a main fairing!

MNZ says so.........see my other post.

[codgyoleracer]

Agree
The rules need to be modified to allow numbers to be placed on the side face of the main fairing panel or even on bellypans as in the United States. Numbers can then actually be bigger than current. it s a small thing - but to the uninformed & for those relying on the programme & not the dodgy sound system at most tracks it becomes more important.
Glen

[Hoon]

Yeah I remember when designing my number decals a few years back I was really pushed for space on the tail - in the end it met barely any of the regs. At AMCC they didn't have transponders so you had to make sure your number was eligible from trackside otherwise you'd get nagged!! I'd like to see things improved for the spectators. With technology these days it'd be nice to broadcast commentary over local FM (listen via cellphone FM radio/car radio/etc) and AMB timing system hooked up to a wireless network/intranet to supply realtime race times/placings to the pits/spectator screens.

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Only got room for one number on the tailpiece of my bike and with under seat mufflers and a narrow profile seat unit mounting boards would be a nightmare.

Side of fairing or bellypan would be good (Tony Rees has done this on is superstock R1) but it robs sponsor space. I think as long as your number meets MNZ requirements on the front and isn't a fancy design confusing things....all good.

[scrivy]

MNZ says so.........see my other post.

Who brought that in???? Sort of defies logic......

Agree
The rules need to be modified to allow numbers to be placed on the side face of the main fairing panel or even on bellypans as in the United States. Numbers can then actually be bigger than current. it s a small thing - but to the uninformed & for those relying on the programme & not the dodgy sound system at most tracks it becomes more important.
Glen

Couldn't agree more!

Yeah I remember when designing my number decals a few years back I was really pushed for space on the tail - in the end it met barely any of the regs. At AMCC they didn't have transponders so you had to make sure your number was eligible from trackside otherwise you'd get nagged!! I'd like to see things improved for the spectators. With technology these days it'd be nice to broadcast commentary over local FM (listen via cellphone FM radio/car radio/etc) and AMB timing system hooked up to a wireless network/intranet to supply realtime race times/placings to the pits/spectator screens.

All of the above ideas can be done right now. How much money do people want to spend on entries to allow it to happen? Radio feeds are cheap. The telemetry stuff is alot higher!! I don't think people out there for fun will justify alot more money on entries for the masses.

[MSTRS:Me]

Only got room for one number on the tailpiece of my bike and with under seat mufflers and a narrow profile seat unit mounting boards would be a nightmare.

Side of fairing or bellypan would be good (Tony Rees has done this on is superstock R1) but it robs sponsor space. I think as long as your number meets MNZ requirements on the front and isn't a fancy designe confusing things....all good.

Better to be easily seen by trackside 'workers' and spectators. Some bikes out there have a single number facing up on the tailpiece and/or off to one side on the nose, and are impossible to see at all marshal points.
Codgy (for instance) is easy, cos that '1' stands out, and the whole package is distinctive. Not so, for many others. There's a 'large' gentleman in Superbikes on a black ZX10? with chrome flames on the main fairings...can't see his numbers at all.