STARTER
| 1. | Starter duties are to release race vehicles and other vehicles on to the race course at the starting line and only at the direction of course control.The starter's main responsibility is to Insure the track is clear before releasing a vehicle. Course clear is called by the course controller. The starter's main focus is from the start line down track and the assistant starter's focus if from the start line back several vehicles. The starter and assistant must maintain constant communication to insure a smooth flow of vehicles on track. |
|
| a. | Monitor the course operating frequency at all times and be aware of what is happening down track. | |
| b. | If there is any doubt about course clear hold all vehicles and determine the track status | |
| c. | Monitor the assistant starter and communicate about how things are going in the staging area | |
| d. | Monitor the weather, wind conditions and track surface. inform drivers and riders if side winds are nearing event maximum, which direction and any other course conditions which may affect the safety of a racing vehicle down track. | |
| e. | Never leave a hot track without qualified replacement. If you must leave hold the track until you return. The assistant can hold the track in the starter absence | |
| f. | Ensure that drivers and riders can easily see you and have a clear hand signal to hold the race vehicle. Have a clear, visible and distinctly different (from hold) hand motion to release vehicles on track. It is desireable that all starting personnel use the same hand signals and wear the same clothing. If flags are used the starters should have a red and green flag, red for hold and green for go. Flag movements should be the same for all starters. | |
| g. | The starter insures the vehicle number is clearly transmitted to the tower . | |
| h. | The starter is in charge of the starting line and stagine line up. The starter reports to the course director and the assistant starter reports to the starter. | |
| 2. | Assistant Starter dutiesInsure all vehicles and operators released to the starter have proper equipment in place. The assistant starter will do most of this inspection prior to the racing vehicle approaching the line. a few things to check: |
|
| a. | Helmet strap tight | |
| b. | All belts tight, not loose, tight! | |
| c. | Bikes have ignition lanyard secured to the rider | |
| d. | Chute safety pins pulled | |
| e. | Body panels and equipment secure | |
| f | Fire extinguisher safety pins pulled | |
| g. | No leaks | |
| h. | Spectators are clear prior to start up and well back from the start line. LSR is unique in racing as spectators can view near the start line. They must have arm bands indicating they have signed the release and be well managed so they are not in a danger zone should a fire or explosion occur on start up and they are not a hindrance to the crews at the line. Proper management by the starter and assistant will preserve this tradition. |
|
| i. | If a vehicle is not ready to race when next up have a second vehicle ready to go so the second vehicle can pass the unready first and get to the line ready to race. | |
| j. | Assistant starter manages stagine lane personnel and the physical line up of cars. the assistant starter reports to the starter. | |
| k. | Stress safety, especially with rookie riders and drivers |
|
| a. Rookies: Go over : “be safe”, “have fun” and “go fast” in that order with each rider/ driver. Make sure they know that top speed does not have to be attempted on the first run. Work your way up to speed slowly with several runs. Get used to riding on the salt surface. | ||
| b. make sure all riders / drivers know which course they are running on, where the timing lights are and when to exit in which direction. Especially important the first 2 days of an event. Watch out for new and late arrivals who may have missed the initial drivers meeting. Make sure everyone knows the race vehicle flow. | ||
| c. assistant starters should have a roll of duct tape and a sharpie to write instructions on the dash board of rookie drivers if they seem confused about which direction to exit, etc. | ||
3. |
General |
|
| a. | starter and assistant have to work as a team to insure vehicle flow on track. Work to reduce and eliminate dead track time, as soon as the on track vehicle exits the safety line as announced by course control, call out the on line vehicle number and launch the vehicle. If engine noise is excessive wait until the on course vehicle has gone down track and then restate the vehicle number to reduce scoring errors. This is the racing ballet and it requires all track personnel to be on the ball. | |
| b. | assistant starter or designated person will have a note book and write down every vehicle number that goes down course. This is very important information and is our only backup in case of computer failure. These daily run sheets are turned in to course control at the end of each day. | |
| c. | At the beginning of each day course control will do a radio check with all start lines and course observers so monitor the radio even when you are setting up, etc. We cannot start the days operations without everyone in place and checked in on the radio. | |
| d. | As soon as staff meeting is over go immediately to your starting point. It is important to get an early start in case of weather or incident stoppages. | |
| e. | If there is any uncertainty at any time “ask-don’t assume”. We have to get a complicated operating system up and running with little time to practice so we do a lot of back and forth problem solving as we go. Stay in the loop and aware by monitoring the radio. |