Giving lengths harks back to at least the 50's and 60's. Remember it well in high school. No body would ask for lengths. After all what was the point of racing if you had an inferior product and you knew you were gonna get your ass whooped. No body likes to be embarassed, especially after being spotted 4 or 5 lengths. And besides what is a length? The length of a mini Cooper or a Cadillac deVille or a football field?