Digital timer for $35 per lane

DIY timing systems
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Doug-in-the-woods
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Digital timer for $35 per lane

Post by Doug-in-the-woods »

Am working on designing and building a racer actuacted starting gate/xmas tree as well as a timing system. Driver actuactes starting gate before green light -- YOUR OUTTA HERE!
Ran across this site http://www.swan-tech.com/Computer%20Interface.htm
and wondering if anybody has tried this set-up.
Looked at ready made $$$ timers (wish sites would use correct descriptions "SOF"sequence of finish and actual timer)
Planning on using ladder brackect racing (like NHRA) to run race in June (best adverage et to race slowest adverage et etc.)
Using 2 lane track, each heat each car to go down each lane then adverage the et for each car determines ladder position. depending on number of cars as to number of ladder bracket positions
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gpraceman
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Re: Digital timer for $35 per lane

Post by gpraceman »

Doug-in-the-woods wrote:Ran across this site http://www.swan-tech.com/Computer%20Interface.htm
and wondering if anybody has tried this set-up.
That timer does not have a computer interface, so if you ever want to use software to manage your race, you will be typing results in manually. They seem to pooh-pooh having an interface, but IMO it does really speed things up as opposed to manual entry or paper and pencil scoring.

I think the Micro Wizard 4 Lane K1 "Cheap Kit" at $50 is a much better deal, plus you get the computer interface. You don't have to use all 4 lanes.
Doug-in-the-woods wrote:Looked at ready made $$$ timers (wish sites would use correct descriptions "SOF"sequence of finish and actual timer)
That is because they will generally do both. Even if the timer only displays the finish order, the times can be sent via computer interface.
Doug-in-the-woods wrote:Planning on using ladder brackect racing (like NHRA) to run race in June (best adverage et to race slowest adverage et etc.)
Using 2 lane track, each heat each car to go down each lane then adverage the et for each car determines ladder position. depending on number of cars as to number of ladder bracket positions
Is this intended for a kids race? That is not a race format that I would recommend for kids. You get all of the disadvantages of elimination racing (many discussions here on DT about that) plus you aim to dump out the slowest racers right off the bat. Seems a bit brutal for a kids race.
Randy Lisano
Romans 5:8

Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
Doug-in-the-woods
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Re: Digital timer for $35 per lane

Post by Doug-in-the-woods »

we are going to have 2 classes, 2 divisions STOCK and A. G. MODIFIED (anything goes almost) ages 5-14 and 15-85
run 4 races for best et then start eliminations.
Hopfully have 100+ cars as well as a BEST OF SHOW car show.
I know the eliminations sound brutal but have to start somewhere eliminating cars.
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gpraceman
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Re: Digital timer for $35 per lane

Post by gpraceman »

Doug-in-the-woods wrote:we are going to have 2 classes, 2 divisions STOCK and A. G. MODIFIED (anything goes almost) ages 5-14 and 15-85
run 4 races for best et then start eliminations.
So, you will run everyone 4 times and then use a single elimination bracket? With 100+ racers, that sounds like you are in for a long day.

You may want to consider using the Perfect-N type charts. Run a first round (running everyone 4 times if you like) and then run a "trophy round" of the top finishers. There are less heats to run than the format that you describe and it ensures that each racer will run in every lane of the track. With single elim, someone can claim they lost due to a "bad lane" draw.
Randy Lisano
Romans 5:8

Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
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