Quote Originally Posted by Steve Boyd View Post
Thanks Ucci.

That timing method does make the driver's start of the stage critical and good timekeeping even more important than usual to report anyone breaking the beam early.
A lot of national level compeitors in UK say don't wait for zero always go on 1 because you won't get a penalty. It's true because the penaly in UK national rules is 1 minute for a false start (FIA is 10 seconds for the first time) so many organisers won't give 1 minute penalty for 1 second at the start. These competitors then have a shock on international rallies when they find they get 10 seconds added the first time and then 1 minute added the second time.
I dont know how is it in UK, but on international scene (and also in Czech for example) there are photocells 40 cm behind the start line and they are connected to printer and clocks. It is automatic process and if there is jump start, it is printed and no other chance than to give penalty. But for sure, photocell is not just on start line, so if you start just before zero and cross the line earlier (but in time for line of photocell), it is ok.