Live Timing Discussion

[bl_steel-Ryan]

#1799

Wanted to open up a discussion about live timing.

As I understand the concept, it would provide immediate timing results available online and would cost the club ~50/month for this service, even during the off season. That comes to $600/year.

Currently, we do not have live timing. Participants must hear their time, & number of cones hit, over the PA system or, when available, through the limited-range radio broadcasting. To see how participants ranked against each other typically takes 2-3 days post race to view.

$600/year, for every year here on out, is a lot of money for our modest club. Depending on future site rental costs, insurance costs, and unexpected costs, the additional live timing costs could necessitate an increase in participant fees. Whether membership fees or event fees, it’s something to keep in mind as a participant.

That being said, I am in full support of live timing. The struggle to hear times after a run is REAL! Be it lost radio signal circling around to get back into staging, or the wale of a loud exhaust right when the announcer calls out your time (or a class competitor’s time). It would also be a nerve calmer when you pass through the stop box and your time wasn’t displayed after an awesome run. You’d be able to park, check the website, see your time or maybe not see your time, but at least you’d know what was happening. Then there’s the 2-3 day waiting period for times to be posted…ugh!! All of our Officers have real jobs, families, other obligations etc. I think live timing could help alleviate the added stress of getting the times up quickly. I realize there’s still a need for the checks & balances of making sure drivers carried out a work assignment, but I don’t think it would be difficult to assess that post race and modify times. Maybe our friends with CCR can help us with the logistics.

So, that’s where I stand on the subject. Yet, with only 2 events left this season, I think it would be wise for the club to wait until 2019 to implement live timing. It would save 6 months of fees (~$300) and allow time to work out all the details.

What are everyone’s thoughts?

[Mike Burke]

#1800

 

I agree with having a “Real Time” type results system!!

Perhaps having such a system would enhance attracting/keeping additional competitors.  Throughout the 2017-2018 seasons, the novice class consistently made up  20-25% of each events’ total entry.  And,  given the majority of HSCC’s novice drivers are younger people who are very accustomed to having instant information available, “real time” results might be useful in reducing novice turnover thereby possibly offsetting the involved additional expense.

 

Mike Burke

828 258-2442

[Frank Forcino]

#1801

I agree with everything Ryan said. At ETR and CCR, live timing is always something I look forward to so I know exact where I stand and how I can improve through the event (and if I did hit a cone or not).

I never use the radio in the Elise or the Civic. (Although I’m lucky the Elise has that luxury)

[mattschilds]

#1807

The availability of real time access to run times would be great.  I have gotten my results and found out what I thought was my best run was +1 a couple of days after the event.

If the $600 a year is an impediment I might be able to find a way to push the times to the existing web site.  I would just need some time to look at the timing software.

 

[Cameron Albea]

#1809

The live timing system would’ve been easy to implement had we not updated to the newer version of axware (not saying this was a bad move, I know how much fun old axware was,) but now that we have, our options are limited. Axware can do everything we need, we just need to commit to the price and have someone dedicated to getting it up and running and make it so that it’s easy enough that anyone running timing can start the timing server without issues (and I fully understand the reservations of those that have said they don’t wish to deal with that responsibility.) If I was still local, I’d happily volunteer, but I can’t realistically do that.

The only other option is a completely custom system similar to the one that ccr has. Having talked to the designer of that system, I highly recommend against it as it would be very complicated to implement.

I really think we need to jump on this in the off-season. As stated, just about everyone at an event has a smartphone or some other internet connected device and I believe the vast majority of them, if not all, would welcome being able to access times during an event and be able to refer to them before official results are posted. A couple people have approached me about volunteering to help with setting up and running this system, and I think if they really want to help, they should speak up now either here, at a meeting, or to club leadership.

[Sound Guy]

#1815

I am open to Live timing.

We need someone to take over every aspect of this and make sure it runs without issue, at each event.

This will not be me!! 

Mark.

[TEAMEFFORT]

#2527

Live Timing really does exist at HSCC!!!

The NS1 2019 autocross was a trial run for the new Live Timing and I heard a lot of Buzz about it.

Please be understanding as it may take a few events to work all the kinks out.

Cam and John have diligently been working on this in the off season and continue to address the technical challenges of this new system of showing times quickly to all of you with a smart phone.

Super-duper BIG SHOUT OUT to those guys for there time and effort!

This is something they are volunteering to do in addition to all the many many other responsibility they already have with HSCC, and they are driving there cars in Pro class too!!! Can you say OVERACHIEVER ?

Thank’s guys

[TEAMEFFORT]

#2742

Live Timing really does exist at DS1 2019 HSCC!!!

BIG SHOUT OUT to Cam and John for there time and effort!

Thank’s guys

[TEAMEFFORT]

#3239

Well we are more than half way through the 2019 Autocross season and we still have Live Timing. Yay!
Beta testing of Live Timing this year is going well I feel. Sure there are hiccups now and then but even with those Live Timing is a huge improvement for the club.

Hope Live Timing is not being taken for granted. Cam and John are continuing to give there time, effort and expertise to bring us Live Timing at these events.
Several club sponsors have come on board this year in the form of advertising on our club trailer to help with the much needed funding to bring us Live Timing.

I for one want to thank all who have had a part in helping to make Live Timing at HSCC a reality.

Thank’s

[TEAMEFFORT]

#3419

Well we are finished with the 2019 Autocross season and we still have Live Timing and it has been a huge improvement for the club.

Thank you Cam and John for your time and expertise to bring us Live Timing at these events in 2019.

I for one want to thank all who have had a part in helping to make Live Timing at HSCC a reality.

Several club sponsors have come on board this year in the form of advertising on our club trailer to help with the much needed funding for the Timing.

Thank’s

[Author]

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