How to Use Fast Start:

Once you have Fast Start set up and operational, all you have to do is ride into the box and push the "RESET" button on the timing module to initialize the system for your next run. The display will present the message "Ready to Ride" after the timing module determines that all functions are normal.

Following a run, or if you accidentally break the barrier beam, simply push the "RESET" button to reinitialize the system. By pushing the "FINISH" button on the timing module, an associate can record the end of your run. The Fast Start module will display both the barrier times and the event time until the "RESET" button is pushed again.

When the rider breaks a barrier, the timing module will calculate and display the elapsed time between the steer and the rider. A plus (+) sign in front of the time value indicates that the rider broke out ahead of the steer. A minus (-) sign in front of the time value indicates that the rider was behind the steer by the time shown in hundredths of a second.

The depth of the roper’s box at most U.S. roping events is 16 feet.

The Score
The score will vary from roping to roping. The producer will set the score length: how much head start the steer is given before the roper is allowed to leave the box. You can contact the producer to find out the box depth and score length for a particular event. Set up your arena for those dimensions and practice with confidence. In normal practice you should not set the score length less than 10 feet.

The Start
Fast Start shows you how hard your horse breaks and what your reflexes are so you can get the best start on different score lengths and all types of cattle.

Reaction Time
You are looking for a barrier time of between -0.08 and -0.12 seconds. This will give you a good start with a margin for error. After practicing with Fast Start, you will lower your barrier times and have fewer breakouts.

Fast Start is a hard-wired system which can be set up in any practice pen or arena. Using a steer runout chute in the practice pen makes it easier to set up the system and it is also the same configuration that is used at all jackpot ropings. You don't want your horse to see anything different at a jackpot than he sees in the practice pen.

However, you can set up the system without a runout chute as long as the distance across the boxes is less than 30 feet.

It is suggested that you mount the timing module on the steer chute so that you can ride in, check your time, and then reset the system for the next run. However, the timing module may be placed at any convenient location. Longer cables are available if required.

Fast Start may be configured to time Barrel Racing events. In this configuration only one barrier is used to mark both the start and finish line of the event. Set-up is uncomplicated, and directions are found in the Fast Start Operation Manual.

Producers of roping events face several problems not encountered in the training arena. Examples would be the length of cable runs and the rapid pace of event cycling. These, among other issues, are addressed in the supplement to the base system. It is recommended that you first read the basic Fast Start Operation Manual. in order to become familiar with the equipment before considering this upgrade.