Mud Packer (Offline)
#19
7/8/12 2:16 PM
Originally Posted by ThePurple73:
A lot of tracks look less than a true quarter mile to me. I never measured any so it's all perception.
A lot running tracks at high school and universities are 400 meters these days or 437.4 yards. A quarter mile is 440 yards. Back in the old days there used to be a track event that was the 440 yard dash which was one lap. When I set in the stands at some "quarter mile" auto race tracks the track doesnt appear to be as large as running tracks and big enough to hold a football field in the middle. But that is just my perception.
Would be interesting if tracks were measured around the inside with a measuring wheel and know what they actually are.
We all enjoy the races regardless of size and differences but would still be fun to know the length.
Just a couple of observations. I officiate high school and college track meets. Not all running tracks are the same. Yes, they are 400 meters in length but the layout is considerably different on many. It all depends on where they choose to place the finish line for the 400 meters. Some have the finish line closer to the middle of the straight away. Others have it closer to the first turn. When you sit in the stands and watch a track meet, some look much larger than they others. They still all measure the same, just different layouts. Race tracks I believe are much the same.
In talking about race track measurements, I once heard that they were measured 9' off of the inside "rail". A friend of mine who raced horses many, many years ago, said that was how horse tracks were measured. Many auto race tracks were once horse racing facilities. Don't know if that is how auto racing tracks started out being measured but it kind of made sense to me. Then again, what do I know. I am just a fan.
Mike
Be nice to people on the way up. You might need them on the way down. Jimmy Durante