FALL 2006 TIMING & SCORING NOTES – ARIZONA REGION SCCA
Hello! Let me first introduce myself, my name is Jeff Jennings. I am the 2006-07 Chief of Timing & Scoring for Arizona Region as well as the Divisional Administer for SoPac for Timing & Scoring. I’ve been working Timing & Scoring for 20+ years and have been fortunate to witness many technological changes in the specialty over the years. I’d like to introduce you to what we’re supporting/providing this season and what you can do to help us provide you accurate complete and prompt results.
First, let’s start with the good stuff. What we can do for you! When everything works the way it should, which is becoming more common thankfully! Provisional results are posted shortly after cars are off track for each session. We provide copies of “Official” results after the GCR 30 minutes if the results are not being held by the stewards. Events at Firebird Main course have the added challenge of getting results across track between sessions, so some delays occur there. After the event, results are sent to the Website guru’s who post the Official results in PDF format for ease of use. Also after the event usually within 24-36 hours, we upload the transponder data to Mylaps.com. This information is for information only and should not be considered official because of limitations in how the information is displayed on their website.
We also use iCard for transmitting live timing information, so when you see someone walking through the pits with a gameboy, they may be keeping track of lap times instead of just playing games! NEW for Fall 2006 we will also be supporting the new DisplayIT in car system that that displays times from your transponder that AMB and other companies have been selling. Checkout Blindapex.com for more information on that system.
Now you may say, “Wow, this is great, what can we do to help out?”. Well, believe it or not, how successful we are in producing accurate, complete and prompt results has a lot to do with you! First the old computer saying “Garbage in, Garbage Out” is still very applicable. Good results depend on good data entered. As the region moves towards a new and improved online registration, handwriting reading 101 should be a thing of the past, however errors and omissions do and will occur. In order to make sure the correct information is on the results, please have any corrections/additions to Timing & Scoring by the end of qualifying. After results become “Official” (30 minutes after provisional posted, unless held by stewards), our options to change results become more difficult so please make sure to review the results during those 30 minutes.
One of the biggest is to make sure your transponder is on, every time you’re on the course. We use practice sessions to test our equipment and look for bad transponders. Rechargeable transponders need to be charged, and older rechargeable ones have batteries that eventually go bad so if you get a slip from us, please take it seriously. No working transponder may result in no times and/or incorrect scoring. We do have backup methods of scoring, however, those are dependent on human skill, and eyes. Which leads us to car numbers. We still heavily rely on car numbers and the ability to read them in all weather conditions at full speed 3-4 wide and usually with the sun in our eyes! Seriously, every track has different conditions at different times of the day and different weather patterns. What was acceptable at one track may not be at another or even later in the day at the same track. The biggest two things to remember is Bigger is Better, and Contrast Contrast Contrast. Black on white is better than dark red on black. Keep logo’s, designs, and other letters away from the numbers as much as possible. Look at your car from multiple angles, if you look at it from a 45 degree angle, does the bodywork hide the number? That’s often times the angle we start looking at your number, not to mention after it passes. Here’s the deal, if it’s tough to read, we’ll let you know, and give some suggestions then you fix it?
Lastly, if you’re not able to race one weekend, come on out and give the workers a hand. Any specialty would love to have some help, even Timing & Scoring. You can’t miss us, we usually have the 3rd best view of the Finish Line after the Starters and the Drivers!