In a message dated 5/23/01 7:21:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
demented-inc@prodigy.net writes:
> Our region is looking for a new timing and scoring program. Any links to
> good sources? I seem to remember several listed here before. If you have
> tried and liked or disliked any programs please pass this info on.
> Thanks
> Benny Dement
> Arkansas Region
>
Benny,
Our club went online with AutoX T/S by Rob Gregg at the start of the 1998
season and have completed 70 full days of autocrossing since without a hitch!
Want to check out the results and points (straight and PAXed) all generated
and tracked by the software, come to our website at:
http://gulfcoastautocrossers.com/
If you couple the software with a hands free timer such as a JACircuits, that
we also recommend, the only keystrokes needed to operate is the car number
when staged and any penalties radioed in!
If the expense of a computer system scares you, don't let it. We only had to
ask for donation of old unused computers from our great event attendees and
we had three complete systems at the next event! The software is DOS based
and will run on a 486. I recommend the standard software at first and then
upgrade to the Network Version if needed. At that point you want to have all
your PC's operating on at least Windows 95 so you can use Plug and Play net
cards. Some smaller clubs that do not have access to a generator and timing
rig such as our clubs RV should consider a laptop and portable printer that
can operate all day off a car cigarette lighter and give the timer a dry
place to sit in the car. If you can't get a donation of a laptop, cheap used
ones are plentiful.
Also, make sure at least one of the club members is a computer geek (such as
yours truly) that can keep everything running smoothly. If you don't have
such a member, honestly you might want to stick to the cards and pencil. Many
a club have tried PC based timing, ran into a few snags due to not
understanding the quirks and pitfalls of software and hardware, and went back
to the non PC method. Either system can work fine, but only PC based timing
will give you all the results instantly at the end of the event. (well, as
fast as the printer can print them). Since I was the one tapped to spend two
to three evenings after every event entering data and compiling the yearly
points, I bought the software and spearheaded the conversion myself. Now we
have several members of the club that can set up and run the event by
themselves if needed and we have a reliable, tested system that does the job
great!
Another piece of advice....
Run both the card system and PC system in tandem for a few events until you
get use to it. (Practice days are great time to try it out also) It will take
an extra person in timing to operate the PC. After feeling comfortable, you
need only two full time people in timing with a runner for posting time
sheets at a determined interval. (at the end of each run group). One person
operates the PC and announces as the other controls the start light, operates
the radio and keeps a written log of the times and penalties. The log comes
in handy if someone questions a time or penalty on the PC. Also we print out
a time card of all drivers before the start of the event in the case the PC
system goes down for the count. (which it never has...and we do have backup
PC's to fill in) Then you would pull out the time cards and revert to the
manual system. We even keep stop watches on hand...because the show must go
on... no matter what fails! As with all systems like this you must have a
backup plan for everything.
Hope this helps,
John Taylor
Webmaster@ <A HREF="http://gulfcoastautocrossers.com/";>Gulfcoast Autocrossers
Ltd. Website</A>
|