Free Lap Rule "In the Real World"

[Joseph Jefferson]

I am fairly certain I know the free lap rule as it is stated in the rule book and supposed to be applied.  However, I have been in attendance at enough races to know that there seems to be a great deal on leeway afforded those athletes who get caught behind a crash that may impede their ability to proceed without either running into a fallen rider or hopping a curb. 

Case in point, crash happens at BikeJam and several riders are forced to come to a complete stop, veer off course  and or put their foots down to avoid the fallen riders.  Should these rider get a free lap?

Case number two took place at the Wilmington GP where a rider clearly showed signs of hitting the pavement while the other six to seven pit attendees did not.  Does only that one rider get a pass?

[Robb]

What about the guy that missed the start to the Cat 3 race at BikeJam and was given the first lap as a free lap? What up with dat? Not complaining just sayin. 

[Harry Fang]

That's what the protest period is about. If he won or placed, then you as a participant can protest. Not saying you'll win the protest, however you probably have a good leg to stand on if you have access to the rule book. 

I'd be for the free lap rule for those involved in a gap caused by a crash, as it's typically not their fault and were in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's only sporting.  However, I know in the CAT 4 and 5 races, if there's a crash, it's time to take advantage of that and drop them and in that case.. it's all about thinning the pack. ;-)

Rules are part of the sport and if they are taken advantage of and no one protests.. then I guess everyone is fine about it.  

My worthless 2 cents. I love these debates Joe Smack brings up.  Call him Trouble.

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From: Robb <robbha...@yahoo.com>
To: mabra...@googlegroups.com
Cc: Joseph Jefferson <max4...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 1:00 PM
Subject: [MABRA-USCF] Re: Free Lap Rule "In the Real World"

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[Spencer Beckett]

How is being in the wrong place at the wrong time not their fault?

No blood, no free lap...

On 5/20/13 4:57 PM, Harry Fang wrote:
> That's what the protest period is about. If he won or placed, then you
> as a participant can protest. Not saying you'll win the protest, however
> you probably have a good leg to stand on if you have access to the rule
> book.
>
> I'd be for the free lap rule for those involved in a gap caused by a
> crash, as it's typically not their fault and were in the wrong place at
> the wrong time. It's only sporting. However, I know in the CAT 4 and 5
> races, if there's a crash, it's time to take advantage of that and drop
> them and in that case.. it's all about thinning the pack. ;-)
>
> Rules are part of the sport and if they are taken advantage of and no
> one protests.. then I guess everyone is fine about it.
> My worthless 2 cents. I love these debates Joe Smack brings up. Call
> him Trouble.
>
>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* Robb <robbha...@yahoo.com>
> *To:* mabra...@googlegroups.com
> *Cc:* Joseph Jefferson <max4...@yahoo.com>
> *Sent:* Monday, May 20, 2013 1:00 PM
> *Subject:* [MABRA-USCF] Re: Free Lap Rule "In the Real World"

> <http://www.mabra.org/>

[Ryan Post]

Mud or blood; bad luck on its own is not a legitimate mishap. Sucks for those with enough skill to hop curbs without going down-then again, falling on a curb hurts.

However, officials can't be everywhere. Even as a moto when there's a mid pack pileup and say 3 riders go down, it's nearly impossible to ID, if they take off for the pits quickly, with bikes going every which way, while trying to not run over people with your own moto, and being aware of possibly riders behind you.  Early in a race, with riders continuously dropping out of the field, its very hard for the moto to be directly behind the field without being in the way of riders 5-10s off the back. 

It's as much about riders being honest as officials interpreting the rules. 

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