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lamboguy
12-11-2012, 05:06 PM
i was just watching the harness at Western Fair. i started to think about the guy driving the starting car, it seems like that is a skill position and must be a great paying job.
gillenr
12-11-2012, 05:19 PM
There are two who control the car. One steers the other has the throttle.
Peter Berry
12-11-2012, 05:23 PM
I once rode in the starting car at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, a three-furlong track with hairpin turns. Never again!!!
lamboguy
12-11-2012, 05:31 PM
nice to see you peter, happy holidays

it looks like you have to coordinate the gate to go forward at the very right time.
MaTH716
12-11-2012, 06:19 PM
I would think that not hitting the brake is priority #1.
wisconsin
12-11-2012, 06:26 PM
The guy with the throttle looks out the back and sides, as a starter/patrol judge.
Rise Over Run
12-11-2012, 06:30 PM
The guy with the throttle looks out the back and sides, as a starter/patrol judge.
Wow, I had no idea. I figured he was watching the horses but had no idea he controlled the throttle.
johnhannibalsmith
12-11-2012, 06:38 PM
I've always wanted to buy one of these to get even with the morons on the highway that force me to pass on the right.
wilderness
12-11-2012, 09:01 PM
I've always wanted to buy one of these to get even with the morons on the highway that force me to pass on the right.

A piece of fence on the back of a pickup would serve the same purpose.
Many harness horsemen on smaller farms have used such things for decades to train horses behind the gate.
HuggingTheRail
12-11-2012, 10:36 PM
I would think that not hitting the brake is priority #1.

turning left is also important...
Race Promoter
12-12-2012, 06:18 PM
They actually have an autopilot function now as well on some of the cars. Set the speed you want and car automatically gets there and all the back guy has to do is close the gates. Kind of like cruise control.
Tape Reader
12-12-2012, 06:30 PM
When I was a kid I heard that the 3 post position was know as the "exhaust pipe."
Sea Biscuit
12-16-2012, 10:50 AM
When I was a kid I heard that the 3 post position was know as the "exhaust pipe."

Hows this for a starting gate. Its called the Smith gate and it was used for the 1947 Hambo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfSY4kyFJJs