Gates

Gates in motorsport are markers or barriers that define a specific route or section that competitors must navigate through. They serve as directional guides or timing points on a course.

In cross-country trials, gates are typically numbered markers that drivers must pass through in sequence without touching or stopping. Successfully clearing gates without errors results in fewer penalty points. Timing gates, another common use, are electronic barriers that measure a vehicle's speed as it passes between two points.

Gates can also refer to starting mechanisms in some racing formats, ensuring all competitors begin simultaneously. In safety contexts, the term may describe imaginary spaces around a vehicle that drivers should maintain awareness of for emergency maneuvers.