IR Timers - Time Attack Tools
 

So I think we are going to expand our events from Performance Driving Schools to also running a Time Attack Series. I figured there is a ton of race knowledge on this site and I wanted to get some input. I am looking for any advice on IR Timers. Our budget isn't going to be huge but maybe some people have good experiences with some of the brands out there. I would want to keep the budget down on the timers as we would not run this series to generate profit for the shop. Instead it is more about affordable track time and a way for us to progress the local scene. My thought process is to setup an IR line near the end of the straight close to the entrance of the track. This will allow the driver a warm up lap. Then they will break the IR line and start a few timed hot laps then pit to the paddock and start the process over again with a new driver. I like the idea of GPS units in each car but figured the IR line gives us immediate numbers. I don't have a lot of experience with the GPS units so I am not sure how downloading the data to a PC in the paddock would go.... Or how to set lap points on the GPS so we could actually program lap times. So I figured IR timers are simple and maybe a better options (I could be wrong). Any thoughts or advice on brands or maybe a better way to accomplish this is welcomed. I am just starting to research this but I would really like to offer something more advanced than our current Driving Schools. The idea is to host something more road course like than the local AutoX but a step below racing at BIR. Although, if all goes well we would run time attacks at BIR as well. For now I want to focus on our local track. It is right outside the metro and very affordable. We have more than enough interest to make this happen and I would like to see us continue to develop into the track side of things.

I know our timing system only supports 4 cars on course at once, but I think with the correct software communicating with the race america box that you could set it to time laps. The problem is, how the fuck do you get lap times for multiple cars on track if there's a pass because the timing lights wont know the difference.

<p>GPS units are cool......</p><p>I use an app called racechrono. It has a database of a ton of tracks and all you do is select the nearby track. Then it records lap times. You can look over the lap times afterwards, see splits, optimal lap times, and also accelerometer data and whatnot. Its pretty cool. Wouldn't be hard to just finish a session and have everyone send in a screenshot of their fastest lap. Or stop by the timing tower and report it.</p><p>Attachment 233234</p>

It looks like they have our high speed course here but they do not have the local smaller track. Maybe I will reach out to them and see if we could set it up. The issue I have is how many different layouts we can run. I wonder how well the software could deal with that.

For example, May and June layouts we used.


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1433768477


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1433768477

Somehow I missed your post.

I was actually thinking about running 1 car at a time. However, doing my research there are systems out there that allow multiple cars to hot lap. They are out of budget so I wasn't sure that I wanted to dive into them further. The info and videos I saw the rider carries a unit that speaks to the timer. Then the time and optional display post the driver's time as he/she passes. The timer had a 100 time memory IIRC. It looked slick, but maybe I will go GPS like suggested above.

Yeah transponder systems is what you're talking about. You can make the ir setups work with multiple cars in the loop you'd just need to make sure the timing worker put the numbers in manually.

Yeah, I think my lack of knowledge on GPS units was my biggest issue here. I am going to pick up a GPS unit and test it out at our next event for the MN Nissian and Infinity club in July (GTRs FTW!). I think that would be not only the best for the participants but also for us in the long run to use the GPS system. Aidandj has been helpful in leading me towards the most logial route.