side number display

[nicktulloh]

All,

I'd appreciate any input on the visibilty of my side numbers as mounted. I'd like to pursue a rule change to allow this but if other people have a problem seeing them, I won't bother.

I have a Ducati with the heavily vented tail and it would be a lot easier to place my side numbers on the side fairing. The CCS rule has been interpreted to disallow this (even 'though here and internationally, racers have been using the side fairing for numbers for literally decades - as long as there have been fairings). My assumption is that the reason a lot of people stopped using the side fairing was to make room for sponsor stickers - I don't have that problem.

CMRA - "1) CCS rulebook says on page 24 in section 5.3.5 B that the numbers have to be displayed on the tail section.
2) When you are actually on the bike, I believe that you will cover most, if not all, of the number with your legs.
3) To be frank with you, I didn't even see the numbers on the side of the bike for a good 3 minutes and it is sitting still in your garage."

I have really long legs but they don't reach that far around the bike and don't cover the plate at all unless I use the highway pegs   :)

Thanks,

Nick


  

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

1) CCS rulebook says on page 24 in section 5.3.5 B that the numbers have to be displayed on the tail section.

Well if thats the rule. Thats where they should be.

2) When you are actually on the bike, I believe that you will cover most, if not all, of the number with your legs.  

No way in hell will you cover those numbers when they are on the tail.

Also the way I see it, its EASIER for a cornerworker to ID a number since they all are in the same position on the bikes. And the last time I seen numbers on teh side fairings was in old pre 70's racing on TV.

[nicktulloh]

Rob,

>> 1) CCS rulebook says on page 24 in section 5.3.5 B that the numbers have to be displayed on the tail section.  
 
Well if thats the rule. Thats where they should be.  <<

Uh, yeah, but what I'm asking is if anyone has any trouble seeing them the way they are mounted. If not, I want to propose a rule change.
 
 
>> Also the way I see it, its EASIER for a cornerworker to ID a number since they all are in the same position on the bikes. <<

Maybe so, but they're now allowed to be on either side of the front fairing and everyone seems to be okay with that. Once again, can you see them on the side as I have them mounted?

>> And the last time I seen numbers on teh side fairings was in old pre 70's racing on TV. <<

I specifically remember seeing them on Kenny Roberts' OW and many others in the mid to late 80s. I can probably drag out some pictures into the 90s.

I've seen them in this decade out west in the AFM (their rulebook says "a) Three number plates or number surfaces are required: one on the front, and one on each side.")

Regards,

Nick

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

I rarely get a chance to read the front numbers of a bike while cornerworking. Its the tail one I see the best. Also some corner stands are on teh inside and if the numbers on teh side panel, you cant read it since its near the ground. The tail at least gives you a opportunity to get it as it goes by.

[Eric Kelcher]

scoring is where they are most important as when a corner really needs to get your number  in the bike is no longer moving :o and for scoring it needs to be in the same place for every bike, but with CCS having ESU in all of their regions now they may allow some changes to number placement.

[pitbtch#1]

in my opinion i think u should put them wherever u want considering that the rule book dont mean shit this yr.  Just look at all of them are being broke

[Thingy]

To answer your question...  Yes, I can see them fine in the picture.

However, I think a few good reasons were named to leave them on the tail.  Consistency, being able to see them on the inside of the turn, etc.  (and they are MORE important than the scorers.  They need to radio numbers that are smoking, leaking oil etc.)

Another suggestion....My buddy raced a 748 with that same tail two years ago.  He just used 6" numbers instead of the 8" ones.  They ARE legal according to the rulebook.  (Although he did have to prove it to the Tech people since they don't know the rules.) :)

Another option... Just buy the unvented tail.  For example, Air-Tech makes both versions.

[Thingy]

Oh, I just noticed that your second bike in the picture has the non-vented tail.  

[buffy]

HI
I work SE and MA manual and electronic scoring and I can tell you that the side numbers would not be able to be manually scored. Manual scoring is used to back up the electronic system in case there is a glitch, which is possible.
Jenny C ::)

[laohu69]

I worked corners at Summit Point last season and the front numbers were only usefull to me if I was flagging and needed to meatball someone. If I was doing pickup I needed the side numbers to identify the bike as it went by to alert other corners to watch for it or to idebtify a downed bike. If you start allowing numbers to be placed in different areas it will cause some confusion and may hinder the corner workers from identifying a smoker fast enough to blackflag him before he causes an oil spill on the track and possibly a bad wreck by someone following him. At least that's my opinion. :)

[Super Dave]

In 1985/1986 most organizations world wide started to move away from side number plates.

When they did this, riders used to have numbers on their backs...at times.  Still kind of done in dirt track.

Regardless, with fairing side numbers, the inside number is down under the bike.  The outside number is usually higher up and now pointing up.  With a tail number plate, you can identify a bike leaving usually.

And I can't see you picture.