A method and arrangement that provides the proper timing for starting the search for a format timing mark on arcuate data tracks recorded by an arcuate scanner prevents mis-identification of the format timing mark caused by same azimuth interference. Mis-identification of the format timing mark is avoided by preventing reading of the signal from a first azimuth read head of arcuate scanner until the read head reaches a safe zone in its data track. The safe zone is a pad area written by a first azimuth write head, located on a data track between two pad sections of second azimuth data tracks written by second azimuth write heads. In the safe zone, it is not possible for the first azimuth read head to read two adjacent pad sections of the first azimuth written by two different first azimuth write heads. Once in the safe zone, the read signal from the first azimuth read head can be safely read to look for the format timing mark. Safe zones for each of the other read heads are similarly established between two pads of different azimuth. To assure that the read head is within the safe zone when the read signal is read by the read channel, a timing signal is precisely generated that causes the read channel to start searching for the format timing mark in the safe zone, this timing being based on a defined reference point on the recording tape.