Reorganization of Subchapter 2B.7 Racing Rules
This discussion has an associated proposal. View Proposal Details here.Comments about this discussion:
Started
Reorganization of Subchapter 2B.7 Racing Rules
I was wondering if it would be reasonable to clean up chapter 2B.7 and reorganize it a bit.
Currently the structure is to a large extent still from the old rulebook, where the track races and the technical disciplines were in different chapters.
But now this is no longer the case and I think some rules would be better placed outside chapter 2B.7.
Basically a race can be divided into three parts: The start, the "actual race" and the finish. From my point of view, it would make sense to include this structure in the rules.
False starts are somehow part of the start and I would therefore include them in the subchapter start - if necessary with an even deeper level as a heading or unnumbered and with a continuous numbering of the sentences within the rule.
The rules for lane-bound and non-lane-bound races belong to the rules of the actual race just like the rules 2B.7.6 Dismounts, 2B.7.7 Assisting Racers and 2B.7.8 Illegal Riding.
For the finish there is rule 2B.7.10 Finishes.
The current rules 2B.7.1 Riders Must Be Ready, 2B.7.9 Second Attempt After Hindrance or Interference and 2B.7.11 Finals, on the other hand, are valid for all races and technical disciplines and should therefore, in my opinion, be separated from the rules of the races.
As structure I could imagine the following:
2B.7 Racing Rules
2B.7.1 The Start
2B.7.1.1 False Start
2B.7.2 The Race
2B.7.1.1 Illegal Riding (I would propose to rename it to "Obstruction")
2B.7.1.2 Rules for lane-bound races
2B.7.1.3 Rules for non-lane-bound races
2B.7.1.4 Dismounts & Assisting Racers
2B.7.3 The Finish
What do the others think?
Comment
Yes, this structure is clearer, and easier to comprehend for riders who most likely also think in terms of start, "actual race" and finish.
Comment
Since there were no objections to the proposed structure from the other committee members, here is the detailed proposal of how I would insert the current content into the new structure. I hope I have not forgotten any content of the current rules.
There are still a few things I would like to add to the individual rules - but I would open separate discussions for that, since this is only about bringing the existing rules into a new useful structure.
Proposal for the new structure:
2B.7 Racing Rules
2B.7.1 The Start
1. Unless noted otherwise, riders start mounted, holding onto a starting post or other support, with the fronts of their tires (forward most part of wheel) behind the edge of the starting line that is farthest from the Finish line. Riders may start from behind the starting line if they wish, provided all other starting rules are followed. Riders may place starting posts in the location most comfortable for them, as long as it doesn't interfere with other riders.
2. Rolling starts are not permitted in any race. Riders may lean before the start, but their wheels may not move forward during the start beeps or counting down. Rolling back is allowed.
3. Usually, a start-beep apparatus is used. This provides a six-count start: beep - beep -beep - beep - beep - buup! The timing between (the start of) successive beeps is one second. The first five beeps have all the same sound frequency. The final tone (buup) has a higher frequency, so that the competitors can easily distinguish this tone from the rest. The proper moment to start is the beginning of the final tone.
4. As an alternative, the Starter will give a three-count start before firing a starting gun on the fourth count. Example: One, two, three, BANG! The time between each of these elements should be the same, and approximately 3/4 seconds. This allows riders to predict the timing of the gun, for a fair start.
2B.7.1.1 False Start
1. A false start occurs if a rider's wheel moves forward before the start signal, or if one or more riders are forced to dismount due to interference from another rider or other source.
2. If a heat has to be restarted, the Starter will immediately recall the riders, for example by blowing a whistle or other clear and prede ned signal. Only the earliest false starting rider gets assigned this false start and the associated warning or disqualication.
3. There are two options on how to deal with false starts:
3.1 One False Start Allowed Per Heat: After the fi rst false start of a particular heat, all riders may start again. Thereafter, any rider(s) causing a false start are disquali ed for this event. This option should not be used without an electronic false start monitoring system.
3.2 One False Start Allowed Per Rider: After the fi rst false start of a particular rider in a heat, the rider in question receives a warning and may start again. Any rider(s) causing their personal second false start are disquali ed.
2B.7.2 The Race
2B.7.1.1 Obstruction
1. This includes intentionally interfering in any way with another rider, deliberately crossing in front of another rider to prevent him or her from moving on, deliberately blocking another rider from passing, or distracting another rider with the intention of causing a dismount.
2. A rider who is forced to dismount due to interference by another rider may fi le a protest immediately at the end of the race.
3. Riders who intentionally interfere with other riders may receive from the Referee a warning, a loss of placement (given the next lower fi nishing place), disquali cation from that race/event, or suspension from all races.
2B.7.1.2 Rules for lane-bound races (If we go with the proposed change in discussion 6 - otherwise it would remain "Lane Use")
1. In lane-bound races, a rider must stay in his or her own lane, except when the rider has to swerve to avoid being involved in a crash. In all other cases, a rider who goes outside their lane is disqualified. Going outside a track lane means that the tire of the unicycle touches the ground outside his assigned lane. Riding on the marking is allowed.
2. No physical contact between riders is allowed.
2B.7.1.3 Rules for non-lane-bound races (If we go with the proposed change in discussion 7 - otherwise it would remain "Passing in Non-Lane Races")
1. In non-lane-bound races, an overtaking rider must pass on the outside, unless there is enough room to safely pass on the inside. Riders passing on the inside are responsible for any fouls that may take place as a result. Riders must maintain a minimum of one (24 Class) wheel diameter (618 mm as judged by eye) between each other when passing,and at all other times. This is measured from wheel to wheel, so that one rider passing another may come quite close, as long as their wheels remain at least 618 mm apart. The slower rider must maintain a reasonably straight course, and not interfere with the faster rider.
2. No physical contact between riders is allowed.
2B.7.1.4 Dismounts & Assisting Racers
1. A dismount is any time a rider's foot or other body part touches the ground. Except for the 800m, Relay races, and other races where this is announced in advance, after a dismount the race may not be continued and will be considered as not finished (DNF - Did Not Finish). In races where riders are allowed to remount and continue, riders must immediately remount at the point where the unicycle comes to rest, without running. If a dismount puts the rider past the finish line, the rider must back up and ride across the line in control, in the normal direction.
2. In races where riders are allowed to remount, the riders must mount the unicycle completely unassisted. Spectators or helpers may help the rider to his or her feet and/or retrieve the dropped unicycle, but the rider (and the unicycle) may not have any physical contact with any outside object or person, including a starting block under the wheel, when mounting.
2B.7.3 The Finish
1. The finish moment is when the front of the tire crosses the finish. The exact location of the finish is the edge of the finish line that is nearest to the starting line. Riders are thus not timed by outstretched bodies.
2. At the finish moment, riders must be mounted and in control of the unicycle. "Control" is defined as follows:
(a) in regular races: the rider has both feet on the pedals; or
(b) in one-foot races: the rider has one foot on a pedal; or
(c) in wheel walk races: the rider continues to wheel walk.
3. In races where dismounting is allowed (800m, Relay, etc.), in the event that a rider does cross the finish line but not in control, the rider must back up on foot, remount and ride across the finish line in control. In races where dismounting is not allowed, the rider is disquali ed.
2B.X Riders Must Be Ready
Riders must be ready when called for their races. Riders not at the start line when their race begins may lose their chance to participate. The Starter will decide when to stop waiting, remembering to consider language barriers, and the fact that some riders may be slow because they are helping run the convention.
2B.X Second Attempt After Hindrance or Interference
1. If a rider is hindered due to the actions of another rider, or outside interference, either during the start or during the race, he or she may request to make a second attempt. The Referee decides if the request is granted. A second attempt must not be granted to a rider who is disquali ed based on something that happened before they were hindered.
2. No complete de nition of hindrance or interference can be given, but it does include cases where a rider swerves, hesitates and/or decelerates because this is arguably necessary in order to avoid a crash or potential crash.
If the request is granted, the Referee has two options:
Option 1: Re-run the whole heat in question.
In general, this option is preferred only if the heat includes the fastest riders within an age group. For the other riders in the heat, riding again is optional. If they decide to ride again, they agree to discard their previous result. If they don't ride again, their previous result stands. If none of the other riders want to ride again, the Referee reverts to option 2.2.
Option 2: Do any of (a), (b) or (c), depending on the conditions.
In general, this option is preferred if the heat in question did not include the fastest riders within an age group:
(a) If possible, the rider is added to an upcoming heat in his own age group; or
(b) If possible, the rider is added to an upcoming heat in another age group; or
(c) If none of the above is possible, the rider does his second attempt in a dedicated heat.
In option 2, the rider decides if he wants company or not. He can pick the riders, but cannot hold up the proceedings to wait for them if other riders are available. The Referee has the nal say as to which extra riders are allowed to participate in such a heat. It must be stated clearly to any accompanying riders that their result is not offi cial.
3. In all cases, if the hindered rider is allowed to do a second attempt and decides to do so, the fi rst run is canceled and only the second run counts regardless of the result. In the case where a second attempt was incorrectly granted, for example when the rider was disquali ed based on something that happened before the hindrance in question occurred, the result of the second attempt for that rider does not count and the result from the fi rst run stands.
4. In non-lane-bound races, if a rider is forced to dismount due to a fall by the rider immediately in front, it is considered part of the race not a reason to grant a second attempt and all riders involved may remount and continue. The Referee can override this rule if intentional interference is observed.
2B.X Finals
1. At Unicons, a 'fi nal' must be held for each of the following Track disciplines: 100m, 400m, 800m, One Foot, Wheel Walk, and IUF Slalom. For any other Track discipline, a 'fi nal' may be held at the discretion of the organizer, after all age group competition for that discipline has been completed.
2. For disciplines that are run in heats, such as 100m races or relay races, this will take the form of a fi nal heat. For disciplines that are not run in heats, such as IUF slalom or slow balance, the fi nal will take the form of successive attempts by the finalists.
3. The riders posting the best results regardless of age in the age group heats are entitled to compete in the final. They can be called finalists. For each final, the number of fi nalists (fi nalist teams in case of relay) will be eight, unless for an event that uses lanes, the number of usable lanes is less than eight. In that case the number of fi nalists equals the number of usable lanes.
4. Finals are composed regardless of age group, but male and female competitors are in separate finals.
5. Finals are subject to the same rules as age group competition, including false start rules and number of attempts.
6. The best result in a final determines the male or female Champion for that discipline (World Champion in the case of Unicon).
7. If a finalist disquali fies, gets a worse result, or doesn't compete in the fi nal, his/her result in age group competition will still stand. The male and female winners of the finals will be considered the Champions for those disciplines, even if a different rider posted a better result in age group competition.
8. In disciplines for which no finals are held, fi nalist status will still be awarded on the basis of results in age group competition. Accordingly, riders posting the best results in each discipline are the Champions for that discipline.
9. Speed records can be set in both age group competition and fi nals.
Comment
I will go through it in detail, including checking for complete inclusion of current rules, after I get home early next week.
Comment
Perfect, thank you :)
Comment
Are there any comments from the other committee members?
I would stay with the current chapter names ("Lane Use" and "Passing in Non-Lane Races") for the proposal in 2B.7.1.2 and 2B.7.1.3, as some other discussions show that further adjustments may be necessary anyway and that this proposal is initially only about restructuring the existing rules.
Comment
Since the Proposals here are always somewhat not illustrative and changes can be made only badly recognizable, I have simply put the Proposal in LaTex and uploaded it as a PDF to our national unicycle federation server: Proposal 2B.7 Racing Rules
All changes to the current rules are (hopefully) marked accordingly. Red and crossed out means this part is omitted, blue and italic is new. All changes are only editorial, mainly to reflect the fact that the rules are now partly valid for races and technical disciplines, which was not consistently considered in the last Ruelbook update, as well as to remove unnecessary his/her consturctions from the rules.
If there are no objections from the other comittee members, I would prepare an appropriate proposal here in the system.
Comment
I wrote "I will go through it in detail, including checking for complete inclusion of current rules, after I get home early next week."
Well, this was a bit more work than I expected, because the sequence of the various rules has become quite different. Anyway, as far as I can see when comparing the 2019 Rulebook to the pdf that Jan uploaded, no "old" rules have been omitted. Also, I agree with the restructuring.
Comment
Perfect, thank you very much for proofreading and checking :)
Comment
The review time of the proposal is now over and since there were no further comments or suggestions for improvement, I assume that all committee members agree with the proposal.
I will now open the voting and hope that all voting members of the committee will also participate in the voting.