Why do some motorcycle races start on foot?

DECIMIS

DECIMIS

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So I've been watching some motorcycle racing, and there's one thing that seems odd, and I can't figure it out.

Some races start with the riders not on their bikes - they have to run perpendicular across the track to their bike. Why do they do this, what's its purpose?

Thanks!

(I was watching TT Legends Documentary, episode 6, Suzuka 8h race)
 
Its called a Lemans start and is traditional at the 24hr Lemans race. We do it for our endurance race because its fun and for endurance races the starts are not that significant.
 
^Beat me to it.
It was stopped years ago at Le Mans after drivers neglected to buckle themselves in, which caused many fatalities.
 
It has the side benefit of spreading out the bikes a little bit off the start. Plus it adds some other interesting factors - what if someone's bike doesn't start, etc.
 
its because back in the day it was quicker to push start a bike rather than kick.
 
auto racing was the same as well...drivers would run and start the car...
 
It's a variation of the biathlon rejigged for motorsports to ad excitement. Imagine shooting without the cross country skiing. Not very exciting.
 
Its a throwback to the American Harley Davidson board track races when most races also finished on foot.

I'll be here all week folks, try the meatloaf!
 
inreb said:
It's a variation of the biathlon rejigged for motorsports to ad excitement. Imagine shooting without the cross country skiing. Not very exciting.
Click to expand...

I beg to differ. I get all wet just shooting guns
 
It goes back to the days when reliability was a big selling point and the fact that bikes would actually finish a race was a big deal and a huge selling point. A bike that was not finicky and would start easily was important and gave an advantage at the start.
 
crankcall said:
Its a throwback to the American Harley Davidson board track races when most races also finished on foot.

I'll be here all week folks, try the meatloaf!
Click to expand...

I didn't even realize that was a joke until you mentioned the meatloaf. Good one.
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