Is there a way for the Race Timer to initiate a start gate?
There will be variance due to different reaction times but this is not relevant for tuning and analysing diecast model cars and track setups..
Our Race Timer and Speedometer does not initiate a start gate at this time. This would be a separate project which may be considered in the future. Our Race Timer was designed to allow individual ‘drivers’ to release their cars on each track. So reaction time was an accepted factor in our races - just as all races
A race is traditionally measured from when a start gun, flag or lights go out and the reaction time is part of the race. This is what happens on Formula 1 races and is exactly what the Race Timer and Speedometer does. Indeed, the light and sound start sequence is modelled on an F1 style start except there isn’t the random interval from final light lit, to all lights going out as there would be no way for the Timer to know if a jump start occurred. So the Race will start at exactly the same time interval after the sequence begins and the users will become familiar with the cadence. The time is continuously measured from lights out until the first car arrives – this is the Race Time. The time difference is also shown between the 2 cars arrival times as well as each car’s speed at the finish. More detail/accuracy is available if the datalink option is chosen; there aren’t enough digits on the LCD to display that information and the post race delay in doing so would become tiresome for many. But if you need that accuracy, or a method or capturing and storing the data, then the datalink option will provide it.
If you are interested in measuring the exact timing of a car, the Race Timer and Speedometer will still do that. It can very accurately measure the difference in time and speed of each car at the finish point. So if you have a manual device that can release cars on all lanes at the same instant, the result, in time difference and speed, will be accurate for each car. If you know the length of track, then you can calculate the difference in acceleration of the 2 cars. (You would have to manually calculate this or use a computer.) You would not be able to accurately determine the time the car has actually run on the track (track running time) as this would include the reaction time of the user (race time). However, with a simultaneous release, the reaction time would be the same for all cars and allow for comparison of individual car, or track, characteristics, whilst always exactly measuring the time difference between lanes and speed of each car.
We have looked at the race start gates provided by Hot Wheels. Even these mechanical devices do not release each car at ‘exactly’ (to the microseconds we are measuring) the same time. Due to the bend in the launch mechanism, the outer cars normally get released later. So an accurate start gate and starter system is a project all on it’s own! If there is enough interest then may be something for the future? (Please leave a comment or use the Contact Us pages if you would like us to work on this.)
Effectively, you are asking for a time over a measured distance. The Race Timer and Speedometer provides this. The difference is, your measured distance is the whole track, whilst the Race Timer and Speedometer’s measured distance is the 80mm of track that it straddles. The advantage of this is that the unit is entirely self-contained, without external wiring (except the power cord), can be moved to various track locations quickly and requires no modification to the track. The energy of the car can be accurately measured with only these measurements so a start gate is not required.
Update March 2024
After further thought, a start gate system is not needed when analysing the performance, or tuning setups, of diecast race cars. At least, not if you have a speed readout like the Cook’s Projects Race Gate offers. Check out our other blog on this subject by clicking this link.
