New Timing system

Just wondering what peoples reactions are to the new timing system which was used at the Cookstown MC Targa on Saturdy. After having a brief chat with Jim and his explanation of how the system works it seems to be a well thought out and developed app. The ability to store the times and details will help clarify any errors that might crop up. I know there are a few other interesting plans in the pipeline.

Great but one of the time keepers said she was fed up with it and complained that it was messing about all day. Also a problem on one test where drivers were getting times marked that were a minute too slow. Not sure if that was because of the clocks or not though

liam48 wrote:

Great but one of the time keepers said she was fed up with it and complained that it was messing about all day. Also a problem on one test where drivers were getting times marked that were a minute too slow. Not sure if that was because of the clocks or not though

I think the error in the times may have been down to a marshal at the entrance to the test writing a time on the time cards but the competitors didn't start on that time.

liam48 wrote:

Great but one of the time keepers said she was fed up with it and complained that it was messing about all day. Also a problem on one test where drivers were getting times marked that were a minute too slow. Not sure if that was because of the clocks or not though

Timekeeper was complaining that the clock had 'froze' on her. What had happened was that that test was extremly dusty and the dust was forming on the screen. All she needed to do was wipe the screen. The marshal instructions include a section which covers this. Each marshal was also issued with a zip bag to hold hte clock should this happen. It's a learning curve for the marshsls as well as everyone.

Admin wrote:

liam48 wrote:

Great but one of the time keepers said she was fed up with it and complained that it was messing about all day. Also a problem on one test where drivers were getting times marked that were a minute too slow. Not sure if that was because of the clocks or not though

I think the error in the times may have been down to a marshal at the entrance to the test writing a time on the time cards but the competitors didn't start on that time.

Correct. In fact if it hadn't been for the new clocks this 'error' could not have been corrected, the check sheets showed the same times as the Time Cards. The clocks record EVERY entry. In this case we were able to check the actual start time for the competitors concerned on the clock concerned and ammend the results accordingly.
There was also a case where a competitor compalined that the clocks must have 'been out' for him as his clock showed he was 10 secs quicker than the time recorded. Clocks checked - times correct.

I like it a lot for the following reasons
1. Completely consistant, every start is the same, you get tuned into the countdown pace and make cleaner starts.
2. It is very easy to see. Not a problem for the younger ones, but some of us older gits do not have the sharpest hearing anymore.
3. The lookback facility is clearly a much fairer/factual way of dealing with time disputes for all concerned.
4. The timekeepers do a fantastic job and this system will definitely make their lives easier

Any new system will have teething/user familiarity issues, these will quickly become but distant memories with use.

Battery life seems to be an issue for all day use, but standby/booster packs are quite inexpensive these days.

Good job Jim!

peterfaulkner wrote:

I like it a lot for the following reasons
1. Completely consistant, every start is the same, you get tuned into the countdown pace and make cleaner starts.
2. It is very easy to see. Not a problem for the younger ones, but some of us older gits do not have the sharpest hearing anymore.
3. The lookback facility is clearly a much fairer/factual way of dealing with time disputes for all concerned.
4. The timekeepers do a fantastic job and this system will definitely make their lives easier

Any new system will have teething/user familiarity issues, these will quickly become but distant memories with use.

Battery life seems to be an issue for all day use, but standby/booster packs are quite inexpensive these days.

Good job Jim!

 

Short battery life may have been caused by Marshals 'playing about' with units before start - something they were encouraged to do. Units were 'turned on' at 7.30am and marshals were using them from then.
As marshals get used to them this should not be needed, however Power Banks have already been ordered so battery problems should be a thing of the past.