Sport Categories
Choosing the right sport category tells RaceTagger's AI what kind of event it's analyzing, which dramatically improves detection accuracy. Different sports display race numbers in different locations and formats — a motocross bike has side panel numbers, a runner wears a chest bib, and a race car has body panel numbers.
By selecting the correct sport category, the AI knows where to look, what format to expect, and what context clues matter. This can improve accuracy by 10-20% compared to generic detection.
Why Categories Matter
RaceTagger uses different detection strategies for different sports because race numbers appear in very different places depending on the sport:
- Motorsport: Numbers on car body panels, doors, and windshields (often large, 2-3 digits)
- Motocross: Numbers on front/side plates, typically 1-3 digits, often on white backgrounds
- Running: Bib numbers worn on chest or back, usually 4-5 digits, on white fabric
- Cycling: Numbers on frame decals, jerseys, or handlebar plates, various sizes
Accuracy Impact
Choosing the right category can improve accuracy by 10-20% because the AI focuses on relevant areas and number formats. If unsure, use **Auto Detect** — the AI will try to determine the sport itself, though it takes slightly longer.
Available Categories
RaceTagger supports eight sport categories, each optimized for specific race formats and number placements:
Motorsport — Cars, formula, GT, touring cars. Numbers on body panels, doors, windshields. Best for: F1, WEC, GT3, IMSA, touring cars.
Motocross / Enduro — Dirt bikes, motocross, enduro. Numbers on number plates (front, side). Often 1-3 digits. Best for: MX, SX, enduro, rally raid.
Road Racing (Moto) — Street motorcycle racing. Numbers on fairings. Best for: MotoGP, WSBK, national championships.
Running — Road races, trail, cross country. Bib numbers on chest/back. Best for: marathons, 10K, trail races, cross country.
Cycling — Road, track, MTB. Numbers on frame, jersey, or handlebar plate. Best for: road races, gran fondo, criteriums.
Triathlon — Multi-sport events. Numbers on body, bike, helmet. Best for: Ironman, Olympic tri, duathlon.
Karting — Go-kart racing. Numbers on kart body, typically 1-3 digits. Best for: rental karting, competitive karting.
Auto Detect — Let the AI determine the sport. Slightly slower but convenient. Best for: mixed events, unknown sport.
How to Set Categories
In the Desktop App
- Select your sport category in the settings panel before starting analysis
- Set a default category in Preferences to avoid re-selecting for each batch
- Change category mid-batch if needed by updating the settings before the next batch
- For mixed events (e.g., triathlon with running, cycling, and swimming), use Auto Detect or process each discipline separately
Pro Tip: Default Category
Set your most-used sport category as the default in Preferences. You can always override it for individual batches without changing the default.
Category-Specific Tips
Motorsport — Works best with side-angle shots where car body numbers are clearly visible. Top-down or rear-angle shots may miss door/side panel numbers. Ensure good lighting on the number areas.
Running — Front and back shots work best — side shots may not show bib numbers. Ensure bibs are not obscured by sweat, dirt, or runner body position. Face numbers or arm bands may be harder to detect.
Motocross — 3-digit numbers can be challenging, especially in motion or from extreme angles. Ensure number plates are visible and well-lit. Side-angle shots typically work better than head-on.
Cycling — Numbers may appear on frame decals, jerseys, or handlebar plates. Keep the entire bike and rider in frame. Jersey numbers work best at closer distances.
Auto Detect — Adds 1-2 seconds per image as the AI analyzes the image to determine the sport. Use a specific category whenever possible for faster processing. Best reserved for mixed events or when you're truly unsure.
Image Quality Matters
Regardless of sport category, detection accuracy improves with better lighting, focus, and angle. Blurred numbers, extreme angles, or poor lighting will challenge any category.