The hockey stick as shown in the photo, does not guarantee an accurate recorded time and deciding a winner and depends on the starter placing it uniformly in front of the wheel for each competitor. The first inch or two travel takes longer than one would expect. Some 65 years ago, I built communication and timing equipment for the Northern Sports Car club and took this factor into account.
Brings back memories of the task task of setting things up at every speed event and in particular a specific hillclimb at Ostrich Farm Road.
At a pre-event committee meeting, we decided that this time there would be no delay in getting things started. We set up everything the night before, and for good measure I slept overnight in the club caravan. On waking early in the morning, from within the caravan, I checked the cable which we had run down the hill, and was horrified to find an open, as well as a short circuit. I learned that sheep love plastic and a short length run inside a fence had provided breakfast. LOL, but not at the time!