Race numbers - a bitch...

[yungatart]

Looks awesome, So I understand why you need the numbers for incase they need to point something out to you. Heres an idea.... The guy with the funny numbers bikes shat it self wave a flag at him. Just throwing it out there.

Or, alternatively, throw a long poled flag between your spokes. I can do that on the dummy grid or the start grid...whaddya prefer?
Seeing as its a safety issue, I don't think I should do it whilst you are actually racing...

[Ivan]

depends what you want out of racing. Do you want your mates to go along and follow you, if so make your numbers clear, do you want the commentators to notice you, make your numbers clear, once the commentators notice you, and they mention you others will be interested to see who you are etc, make your numbers clear.
that's aside from the safety angle; it's not rocket science really...

I dont think you understood I was taking the piss, Everyone who knows me Ivan Juggins #59 for the last 8 years bar 1 season in pro twins as #159 has always had my numbers in the correct number board and colour and basic style, I was more or less taking the piss cause well every body else does on this site,

I have no problem with Ray noticing me in commentary even picked up i was on a 600 first ever time I rode one and continued to comment on it (have a video were I can hear his commentary)

Im pretty sure most people know who I am by now

Regarding numbers if this law gets inforced I dont think the barrel 51 logo should stay as a number sadly I think it looks cool but thats to hard to inforce if its sponsorship as my comment was kind of a joke the local graffiti king could design me up some mad graffiti designs and sponsor me by tagging my fence then can i say I want this number tho as its sponsorship

also Barrel 1 person I am not trying to pick on you if you are reading this just using your bike as a example well because as a spectator saturday your bike stood out in the crowd and I thought it was awsome, I dont actually look at bikes numbers when Im spectating just the racing and ifthat bike catches my fancy ill go look at in the pits by wandering around not by reading the program

so yeah your bike looks cool! as a spectator I liked it!!!

[Ivan]

also as a safety point of view I can understand this Ihave thought about this long and hard but never thought of "safety" aspect of it,

that since we are in a modern electronic age why we need numbers when we have transponders but now I can sort of see why,

Sad thing is I have a real basic font number easy to understand etc even from a distance but it is full of designs on the inside so will be illegal, I reckon that a common font should be picked but regarding the actual number colour etc you should allow that to be open,

See my one is 59 inside just common old Times new roman but the number itself is the new zealand flag inside

[MSTRS:Me]

To me, you started the thread based on a SAFETY ISSUE, ie, cannot identify bike/rider if reqd too Urgently Correct?

If this is correct, the awnser i simple mate, " The road race commisioner can change rules based on Safety over night"

If you genuinely see this as a safety issue, email the commisioner and discuss with them.

###### Include in SUB REGS for next round what the requirements are for numbers and boards so NO EXSCUSE for anyone

Partly safety, but also because trackside 'officials' may have any number of reasons for needing to identify a bike at speed and at some distance.

Good idea to officially contact MNZ about this issue. Before I do that (or someone else does) I've put this together as possible wording for the number rule/s. Any suggestions? Yes yes - I know....

ROAD RACE NUMBERS

Font must be of a plain style, without excessive embellishment, such as but not limited to, Arial or Comic Sans.

One number is to be placed centrally on the front of the bike, on a mounted board OR on a fairing, in the position normally occupied by a headlight. Minimum size 150mm in height.

One number is to be placed on each side of the bike, as near to the rear as possible, on a mounted board OR on the tailpiece OR on the side fairing in such a place that a normal riding position does not obscure it. Minimum size 120mm in height.

Number board and/or background class colour may be rectangular or oval and is to be at least 20mm larger all round as any number upon it.

[Mental Trousers]

ROAD RACE NUMBERS

Font must be of a plain style, without excessive embellishment, such as but not limited to, Arial or Comic Sans and must be easily read from a minimum distance of 50m

One number is to be placed centrally on the front of the bike, on a mounted board OR on a fairing, in the position normally occupied by a headlight. Minimum size 150mm in height.

One number is to be placed on each side of the bike, as near to the rear as possible, on a mounted board OR on the tailpiece OR on the side fairing in such a place that a normal riding position does not obscure it. Minimum size 120mm in height.

Number board and/or background class colour may be rectangular or oval and is to be at least 20mm larger all round as any number upon it.

Something like that maybe??

[RobGassit]

At the risk of offending probably everybody, for anyone with a sense of humor, the Roman Numerals was pure genius, and the funniest thing I've seen on a front row for years.

[malcy25]

Thanks for your detailed reply.
However, I do think the time has come for the rules surrounding numbers to be re-written*. For example, the number board size (or the background equivalent on fairings) is again obselete on some bikes, and why specify that size in the rules but remove the lettering size?
Nobody wants it to be too regimented, but the whole issue needs to be addressed in a form that allows some variation, yet ensures legibility.

*and policed...

Agree with the policing and in fact I know the AMCC has a test board now.

Font SIZE if I recall correctly WAS in the rule set I created. But 10 years is a long time for changes to be made.

I don't agree with the fact that the board / background size is obsolete because the bike style has changed. Over the same period I bet the average quality of sight hasn't. What you are intimating is making these smaller and thus harder to read - something that we are all moaning about now.

As I have said on previous posts on this subject, what did we all do before bikes and fairings and large seat units? The riders got their shit together still and had numbers on their bikes, and were readable.

I like the readable bit Mental Trousers added to MSTRS post requiring readibility from a distance - excellent idea. MSTRS changes are just facsimile of what I wrote 10 years ago being 1 in front, 1 each side visible with a rider in place. I still content they don't need to be as rearward as possible (I have multiple bikes with plenty of fairing space in front of my knee, well visible. All good stuff really as multiple people are now starting to see what may officials have been having issues with for a while. Long may it get to a point that riders take action.

[MSTRS:Me]

Font SIZE if I recall correctly WAS in the rule set I created. But 10 years is a long time for changes to be made.
I believe that font size has only just been removed from the rules. It was definitely in there at the time I did the thread about flags and their uses.

I don't agree with the fact that the board / background size is obsolete because the bike style has changed. Over the same period I bet the average quality of sight hasn't. What you are intimating is making these smaller and thus harder to read - something that we are all moaning about now.
What is the point of having a specified size of 285x235 when the number size isn't? And the fact that there is no way that size is even available on many tailpieces. That's what I meant.

As I have said on previous posts on this subject, what did we all do before bikes and fairings and large seat units? The riders got their shit together still and had numbers on their bikes, and were readable.
Maybe it was policed?
I like the readable bit Mental Trousers added to MSTRS post requiring readibility from a distance - excellent idea. MSTRS changes are just facsimile of what I wrote 10 years ago being 1 in front, 1 each side visible with a rider in place. I still content they don't need to be as rearward as possible (I have multiple bikes with plenty of fairing space in front of my knee, well visible.
I think the idea is that numbers are clearly visible with the bike either coming or going from the observer's pov and at an angle. It makes sense to have the numbers at each end of the bike.

[lukemillar]

Can I ask a potentially stupid question? Just want to play devils advocate...

I was watching BSB and BSS last night and hardly any of the numbers conform to a standard regarding size (colour yes, but not size or font). Pretty much the same deal in WSB and WSS as well.

If safety is the main concern, then surely these series would be the leading example, no? Not looking to annoy anyone, I'm just curious.

[White trash]

At the risk of offending probably everybody, for anyone with a sense of humor, the Roman Numerals was pure genius, and the funniest thing I've seen on a front row for years.

No offence here Rob. However, knowing the offending rider as well as I do, I can assure you that genius played no part whatsoever in that decision.....

[malcy25]

As I have said on previous posts on this subject, what did we all do before bikes and fairings and large seat units? The riders got their shit together still and had numbers on their bikes, and were readable.

Maybe it was policed?
1) probably was policed - as have many people in the last few years have tried and been told to bugger off by the riders
2) The point I was alluding to was they made number boards that did comply as the same issue was then as we have now - no suitable fairing space (ie no fairing) to fit it on so they had to come up with an alternative. I'm not proposing we all go back to separate number boards bolted on like in the 70's and 80's, but what I am saying is that riders got the stuff in one sock and got over it before. They just need to use a bit of lateral thinking this time. The rest of the world has.

[White trash]

I think the reason they were so receptive to seperate number boards in the 70s/80s was that was the only way to distinguish a "real" race bike from a street bike.

[RobGassit]

How about a fin shaped board attached to the top of the riders helmet?

[malcy25]

How about a fin shaped board attached to the top of the riders helmet?

Just don't look at:
The guy passing you
your pit board
Your girl friend
etc etc
while riding!

[RobGassit]

Just don't look at:
The guy passing you
your pit board
Your girl friend
etc etc
while riding!

Well yeah, sure, there is that, but you could have holes in it like the GP125 bikes do in their front fairings for cross winds.
And what about the safety advantages. There you are,, zippin along all fast like, and hey presto! you highside!! You're flyin thru the air thinkin?? I can see my truck parked in the pits from here,, when you realise you're heading for the fence. Well all you have to do is lower your helmet and the fin will cut a hole for you. I reakon it's worth lookin into,,