Issues with section 2D.1 Venue
Comments about this discussion:
Started
When I proposed the revision of section 2D.1 Venue, I had the standardised conditions for world records in mind and essentially took the rules from athletics - on the assumption that the venues for athletics are standardised worldwide so that we would not have any problems with the rules...
However, as I have now realised during the arrangements for the next Unicon, the World Athletics standard does not seem to be so widespread in the USA - I have therefore thought again about which rules are really essential for world records and which could perhaps be classified more as "nice-to-have".
What we have currently approved:
2.1 Any firm, uniform surface that complies with the specifications for syntetic surfaces for athletic competition venues is permitted.
2.2 The nominal length of a standard competition track is 400 m, it must not be shorter than 400.00 m and not longer than 400.04 m. It must consist of two parallel straights and two bends whose radii must be equal. The inside of the track must be bordered by a kerb of suitable material that should be coloured white, with a height of 50mm to 65mm and a width of 50 mm to 250 mm. The kerb on the two straights may be omitted and a white line 50 mm wide substituted.
2.3 The measurement must be taken 0.30 m outward from the kerb or, where no kerb exists on a bend, 0.20 m from the line marking the inside of the track.
2.4 The distance of the race must be measured from the edge of the start line farther from the finish to the edge of the finish line nearer to the start.
2.5 In all races up to and including 400 m, each rider must have a separate lane, with a width of 1.22 m ± 0.01 m, including the lane line on the right, marked by white lines 50 mm in width. All lanes must be of the same nominal width. The inner lane shall be measured as stated in pragraph 2.3, but the remaining lanes shall be measured 0.20 m from the outer edges of the lines.
I have marked everything in bold that in my opinion is essential for world records and should also apply to all competitions that organise official IUF events to ensure comparability of results. For 2.2 and 2.5 I could imagin to give some more freedom regarding the non bold part of the rule, since it might have not that big impact on the comparability of results and would give organisers more freedom.
What I could imagin for 2.2 and 2.5:
2.2 The nominal length of a standard competition track is 400 m, it must not be shorter than 400.00 m and not longer than 400.04 m. It must consist of two parallel straights and two bends whose radii must be equal. The inside of the track should be bordered by a kerb of suitable material that should be coloured white, with a height of 50mm to 65mm and a width of 50 mm to 250 mm. The kerb on the two straights may be omitted and a white line of about 50 mm wide substituted.
That would make the kerb on all parts of the track optional and would give some more freedom in therms of the width. Since we need to check if someone leaves the lane to the inside anyways, it would be Ok for me, if there is no "strong" border for lane 1.
2.5 In all races up to and including 400 m, each rider must have a separate lane, with which should have a width of 1.22 m ± 0.01 m, including the lane line on the right, marked by white lines about 50 mm in width. Lanes narrower than 1.22 m and wider than 1.10 m, including the lane line on the right, are acceptable, but must be communicated to the participants in advance. All lanes must be of the same nominal width. The inner lane shall be measured as stated in pragraph 2.3, but the remaining lanes shall be measured 0.20 m from the outer edges of the lines.
This would make the lane width more flexible and if the distances for all lanes are still according to 2.2, this would be Okay for me. I think we need a minimum lane width, because otherwise riders might obstruct eachother even when they stay in thier lane (especcialy in onefoot or wheel wlak).
I'm sorry to start another discussion after all the discussions here, but I want to make sure that we don't unnecessarily exclude potential venues, but at the same time make sure that the results of competitions according to the IUF rules are comparable and that the specifications also match the requirements for world records.
Comment
I am on holiday until about 21 of May, and probably don't have the opportunity to properly read or respond until my return home.
I have the impression that the rulebook update process won't be done/finished until after Unicon anyway. But if my response here is urgently required, post again here so that I get another email notification. I have occasionally access to internet, and can then see what I can do...