The primary original reason for contest numbers was visual ID on
starts and finishes. The only contest-relevant reason for them today
is assessing penalties on infractions within line of sight of the CD
(e.g. finish penalties).


I was just remembering several pilots who decided to do a "top gun"
low and fast flyby's during contests, thinking it was funny...well
with the ID number on the bottom, they can't really get away with that
infraction can they? LOL