Starting machine
A start machine (also called a start box ) is a machine that is used in races to allow a fair start to the race.
Horse racing
The inventor of the electronic starting machines is Clay Puett. He was a rider and starter on several racetracks in the west. Puett's invention replaced other starting methods, such as starting with a simple rope that was stretched and then pulled upwards or a start in which the horses were simply set up against the direction of movement and were torn around and chased away at a flag signal, because there was there are often injuries to both horse and rider.
Many of Puett's current machines are still used by racetracks around the world and all are based on Puett's original design. A start box is equipped with several boxes in a row, usually 12 or 14 boxes next to each other. But smaller start boxes are also used, for example to train racehorses. But there are also larger start boxes that are used in races where a lot of horses start, such as the Kentucky Derby . Horses normally enter the boxes from the back of the starting machine, then the box is closed behind them. The door on the front of the box is normally closed, but if a horse refuses to enter the box, it can also be opened by order of the starter team. You can also direct horses backwards into the box from the front of the box if a horse is very restless.
The front door of each box is locked by an electrical mechanism. The start boxes are designed in such a way that they open when a horse tries to leave the box forwards or backwards in order to avoid injuries to horse and rider.
When all the horses are in their respective boxes, the starter presses a button that simultaneously opens the doors, sounds a loud bell and sends a signal to the betting desks that the race has started and no more bets are accepted.
Puett's starting machine was first used at Exhibition Park in Vancouver , British Columbia in 1939, although the management of Bay Meadows in San Mateo , California claim that Puett's starting machine was first used by them. By late 1940, Puett's launching machine was in use almost everywhere in the United States . In 1958, Clay Puett started a new company, True Center Gate, in Phoenix , Arizona . True Center and Puett's original company (first called Puett Electric Gate) arguably built most of the launch boxes in North America . True Center has also built launch machines in South America , the Caribbean and Saudi Arabia .
While starting machines were common in flat races , the outdated starting methods were still used in obstacle races .
Harness racing
Before mobile starting machines became popular in harness races, the "rolling start" was used. The horses had to be driven a certain number of circles, with the horses, if this maneuver was carried out correctly, were aligned on a straight line. Whether a start was fair or not was determined by stewards. If they decided that a starter was not in line with the other starters, a false start was declared and the race had to be restarted. Usually this process had to be carried out several times before a race could actually start. There are still such starts today, but they are much rarer than starts by car.
Car starts came up in the middle of the 20th century. A car with two "metal wings" (one on each side) drives in front of the horses so that all horses can catch up with the wings, but the track is often not wide enough to allow all starters to start next to each other so that there is a start in two rows there. When the car has reached the starting line, the driver of the car accelerates and folds the metal wings. As soon as he has the opportunity, he drives off the train.
Car starts have drastically reduced the number of false starts, but they still cannot be completely avoided today. If a starter cannot get a fair place in the starting field, he may declare the start a false start and the race is restarted.
Over time, this technology has also been modernized so that the driver can also keep an eye on the field via a monitor and can decide for himself whether everyone has the same starting opportunities. This technique is used in all major races in Australia.
Dog racing
Starting boxes are used in dog races similar to those used in horse races. The dogs are pushed into the boxes from behind. There are windows at the front of the boxes through which the dogs can see the lane and bait.
When the bait is only a few meters away from the boxes, they are opened. In contrast to horse racing, however, no signal is sent that bets are no longer being accepted; this is done by a steward shortly before the boxes open.
Starting boxes usually consist of eight boxes, sometimes nine.
Track cycling
In track cycling , starting machines are used in the disciplines of individual and team pursuits , in team sprints and in time trials . The starting machine prevents the athlete from starting too early and it triggers the timing.
A starting machine in track cycling has adjustable feet to compensate for the slope of the track. According to the rules, it is only necessary to lock the rear wheel until an electronic system releases the lock and the race begins. In practice, it is usually fixed below the saddle and the rear wheel is supported.
Immediately after the start, the starting machine is cleared from the track so as not to endanger the racing cyclists, who can drive around a 250 meter long track within twelve to 15 seconds.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Track Cycling. (No longer available online.) Swiss Timing, archived from the original on April 21, 2014 ; Retrieved April 20, 2014 .
- ↑ The starting machine. (No longer available online.) Bahnradsport.com, archived from the original on April 21, 2014 ; Retrieved April 20, 2014 .