Bob
I want to race
Junk Yard motor, used tires, used driver
Posts: 18
|
Post by Bob on Jan 6, 2010 8:11:59 GMT -6
I ditched my iPhone in favor of an Andoid (advertised on TV as Droid) powered phone. These phones have an App Store and one of the Apps is Trackmaster ($4.99). trackmaster.trackaroo.com/welcomeSome of the features that got my attention are: GPS powered lap timer Basic driver performance stuff Track map Audible lap times with splits Posting to Twitter (every lap) Posting to web sites I'll be testing one in practice on Sunday. If anybody else is interested I can email you a file that when opened on your phone automatically, imports into Trackmaster and, sets our finish line as the "Beacon Location"
|
|
lane
I just want to go fast!
Posts: 164
|
Post by lane on Jan 6, 2010 8:23:11 GMT -6
Oh God! As competitive as the Bracket classes are I can see this as being a problem for the Scrutts
"Enable speech to have your speed and times spoken to you while you're racing. This works great for motorcycle racers using a stereo bluetooth headset."
Not that I'm accusing any of the current racers of doing this but we have caught a guy using outside source telling him to slow down at turn 14 so he wouldn't break out!
|
|
|
Post by harrisracing on Jan 6, 2010 8:23:42 GMT -6
Dang that's slick. Droid is looking better and better. Is there anything that is comparable for the iPhone?
|
|
|
Post by 00transram on Jan 6, 2010 8:40:02 GMT -6
I think there are a few things. MaxQ makes a lap timer that's free for the iPhone. Haven't tried it out, but it's on the phone. Don't know about DAQ, though.
That's a cool app. I wonder how often it samples? I heard about one of these for the iPhone, and you could tell it how often to sample. Somehow.
|
|
Bob
I want to race
Junk Yard motor, used tires, used driver
Posts: 18
|
Post by Bob on Jan 6, 2010 8:46:30 GMT -6
Oh God! As competitive as the Bracket classes are I can see this as being a problem for the Scrutts "Enable speech to have your speed and times spoken to you while you're racing. This works great for motorcycle racers using a stereo bluetooth headset." Not that I'm accusing any of the current racers of doing this but we have caught a guy using outside source telling him to slow down at turn 14 so he wouldn't break out! I've got two choices depending on how much fun the voice part is. 1. Don't run the phone during qualifying/racing. 2. Switch to GT 1. I'm thinking about this anyway just because I have so much fun with my data toys and I hate re programming my dash just so I can't see my lap times. This is silly anyway as my lap times are not a running total. I get my laps after the fact.... after I cross my beacon the lap time appears on the dash for 20 seconds. But under the rules this is illegal and I think the reason may be enforcement. Who is going to check a multitude of data devices to make sure they are not predictive in nature? My helmet is wired for a radio, I'm thinking my sound deadening ear buds will plug into the phone (if not I'll try the ones that come with the phone). To your point Lane, a cheater could set this phone to time a lap say 200' before the finish line. This way you would get the audible and have an opportunity to slow down. The TrackMaster app even has "Pocket Mode" which allows for the phone to be placed in a pocket, or anywhere, so the touch screen does not accidentally interfere with the lap timer. You can also mount my model phone in a attachment that holds it horizontally so you can read it while you drive.
|
|
lane
I just want to go fast!
Posts: 164
|
Post by lane on Jan 6, 2010 9:24:18 GMT -6
Bob, not accusing you or any present racers of anything illegal but that's why I really don't like seeing any kind of timing device in a bracket car. Whether its taped up out of reach or anything. It always leaves a suspicion in other racers mind especially if he's running real close to breaking out. Not to mention those with high hp cars in bracket that blast down the straights. Always my pet peeve. I'm talking about like 300 + hp in bracket.
|
|
Bob
I want to race
Junk Yard motor, used tires, used driver
Posts: 18
|
Post by Bob on Jan 6, 2010 9:40:33 GMT -6
Bob, not accusing you or any present racers of anything illegal but that's why I really don't like seeing any kind of timing device in a bracket car. Whether its taped up out of reach or anything. It always leaves a suspicion in other racers mind especially if he's running real close to breaking out. Not to mention those with high hp cars in bracket that blast down the straights. Always my pet peeve. I'm talking about like 300 + hp in bracket. Lane, I did not take it that way:) You brought up a great point that is a reality and I'm betting this will have to be dealt with at some point. The technology is just too good (and fun). Having raced many NASA and SCCA races, I'm a huge fan of our rule base. As such I have to do my part by either not running the phone and re programming my dash or taking the option that the rules provide... enter GT1. BTW Many years ago I built a two cell phone system that would send a data file from my car to my RV once a lap. In the RV the data would go through a cell phone attached to a laptop and display the data. I thought it was so cool. I was at a SCCA event and showed it to an official (b/c I thought is was so cool). Much to my surprise, he pulled out a 50# rule book and kicked me out of the race for having telemetry......geez I'm still proud of it:)
|
|
|
Post by Fast Guys on Jan 6, 2010 9:55:35 GMT -6
The only illegal timing device would be a predictive lap timer. Otherwise, it would be no help.
|
|
mojo
I raced Once.
Posts: 68
|
Post by mojo on Jan 6, 2010 10:03:02 GMT -6
Okay guys, I run my traqmate visible for practice and look at it after the fact. Can't read/see it when it is mounted to the windshield with my eyes/glasses. For qualifying and during the race it is started but then hidden in the console until afterwards. The only thing it would let me know at this point is how far off the pace I am. But it helps to review with the video to tell me where I really need improvement, besides everywhere. I am nowhere near breakout at any time. DC
|
|
|
Post by chris on Jan 6, 2010 10:56:21 GMT -6
Better insulate whatever devices you all bring with you this weekend, I hear its gonna be a cold one. Benefit though, we should just be able to leave the Coors light on the front step instead of the ice chest. Bring some extra firewood Bob!
|
|
Bob
I want to race
Junk Yard motor, used tires, used driver
Posts: 18
|
Post by Bob on Jan 6, 2010 12:10:05 GMT -6
The only illegal timing device would be a predictive lap timer. Otherwise, it would be no help. I believe that is your opinion and not a rule. "Bracket Racing Classes All bracket cars will fall into Classes ("brackets") based on their fastest lap recorded during qualifying. Drivers may do any modification they wish with their cars, provided it meets safety requirements. No timing devices on the track or in the car during qualifying & racing, or communication by radio or any other means between anyone trackside during qualifying and racing will be allowed. The only times allowed are those kept by timing and scoring. If it is discovered that times have been kept or radioed in during the race or qualifying, the driver will immediately forfeit whatever position they held and are considered cheating. They will also be placed on the 13/13 list. As this is the only way people can cheat in this type of format, it will be strictly enforced. The Bracket Classes have been set with a color associated with each time bracket. The Classes will be as follows: " Followed by "Data acquisition devices are permissible, given the display does not display any timing information, and the driver is unable to change display characteristics while driving (i.e.: the display is out of reach)." I don't see any distinction for "predictive" or not.
|
|
|
Post by Fast Guys on Jan 6, 2010 13:11:54 GMT -6
My opinion is the rule. Seriously, I don't think anyone could cheat, even with predictive timing. If they were that good and wanted to cheat to win a $15 trophy, let 'em. They are the one's looking silly.
|
|
lane
I just want to go fast!
Posts: 164
|
Post by lane on Jan 6, 2010 14:18:35 GMT -6
Uhh... Zen Master apparently you haven't been around racing long enough. I wouldn't put anything past people when it comes to racing. Especially for a $15 trophy!
|
|
|
Post by Fast Guys on Jan 6, 2010 15:49:37 GMT -6
I'm certain that would happen with some of the larger organizations, but I thought we were a more tight-knit group focused on fun first, competition second.
Rules are rules, however, and no timing is allowed in brackets.
|
|
|
Post by turbot on Jan 7, 2010 8:52:41 GMT -6
I'm certain that would happen with some of the larger organizations, but I thought we were a more tight-knit group focused on fun first, competition second. Rules are rules, however, and no timing is allowed in brackets. Tight knit, friendly and fun sure....... off track. When the green drops, I'll try almost anything to gain a position or two......even against my own kin.... If I thought I could use timing to gain an advantage, and the cars were all checked for electronic timing devices......I'd have a vertical rod fixed in view on the hood with a vinyl sun dial decal.... ;D T T
|
|