Skip to main content

Question from Jim, a measurer:

Hi Pete,

I have a question for you.

A race director is going to be putting a 3 mile race around the Stark County Horse track (supposed to be .5 mile) which I went ahead and measured and found it to be 20' 7 1/16" short. My question is - it is all unpaved with the grass right up to the track and I am afraid that when they take their equipment and drag the track to make it smooth they could take some grass away and thus make the track even shorter. Can I still go ahead and have it certified?

Jim


Pete’s reply:

Dear Jim,

I could bend the rules, but on what you describe I can't see any way to get it certified. One option could be a this-year-only certification, but this puts the registrar in the position of keeping an eye on the expiration instead of having it expire automatically.

Perhaps a big note on the course map with "valid for 2010 race only" would do the job.

As for it being short, that depends on the offset from the inner border. A horse and sulky take up more width that does a runner, the offset for whom is only a foot. With the proper offset the course could well be OK for horses.

I am going to post this on the Course Measurement Bulletin Board, and also pass it on to Gene Newman, who will have final say. Let’s see what others have to say.

Best, Pete
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

The track used for harness racing in our area does not have a rail. The inside of the track is lined with flexible posts every 30 meters or so. The guy at the track told me a rigid rail is too dangerous for harness racing.

I measured a race that used the track for the first half mile. When I measured, the posts were not in, and each post location had just a small marker sticking in the hole. You might have him check with the track people to see if such post holes exist on that track that could be used to define the inside edge of the course.

By the way, the track guy also told me that they very carefully measure the length of the track because the times recorded are published and used by people to make their bets! If this track is used for serious horse racing they probably have something permanent that clearly defines the boundary of the track.

Add Reply

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×