lap timers

Joined
17 September 2002
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1,770
Location
MI
First off, I have no history whatsoever with lap timers but I'm getting to the point that I've gotten bored with just driving around the track at a high rate of speed and not knowing if I'm getting any faster other than from the seat of my pants. When I was at my last event, someone was keeping track of their lap times but they had what I thought was a thingy on a tripod at the start/finish that was sending out a signal.

I've heard that sometimes officials of the driving school don't like seeing that so I was was wondering if anyone had some recomendations for a lap timer that works without a stationary transmitter. Do they make one that works with GPS?
 
Well, the first thing to say, is the old cliche; it's a slippery slope.

Your insurance may cover you for an accident in a HPDE with no timing involved but almost certainly will not cover you if there is any evidence of timing. Here's the old conventional logic. HDPE = driver training: (good :smile: ). Time keeping= racing (bad :frown:) However, it seems that we've been hearing of more companies that won't cover you if you even think about going on track.

Don't count on trying to hide lap timing equipment. It can easily be discovered either by the event organizer tech person or if bad happens, by an insurance investigator.

The economical and common lap timers all use a stationary beacon and in-car receivers. GPS is part of more elaborate data acquisition systems, but not simple lap timers. Your best bet is a Hot Lap Timer from I-O Port

http://www.ioportracing.com/

Good luck.
 
Well at the school that I go to it was done the last time I was there. Chuck, if you read this, what is your official policy on this?

I understand what you are saying though on it being a sticky issue. So far I have no issues with my insurance covering me for HPDE, but I don't know that I want to make that phone call to ask if a timing device is ok, even if it is just for my own personal knowledge.
 
RP-Motorsports said:
Dougie, I found one for you!
:biggrin:

You might just beat it this year!

Snap! That's cold!:tongue: I so can't wait until I get up to the expert group so I can kick your azz out there.:biggrin: Flip that timer over, it'll prolly take that long though, since you guys are having me sandbag this year by telling me not to get R-compound....:tongue:
 
comquat1 said:
Snap! That's cold!:tongue: I so can't wait until I get up to the expert group so I can kick your azz out there.:biggrin: Flip that timer over, it'll prolly take that long though, since you guys are having me sandbag this year by telling me not to get R-compound....:tongue:

If you can get within 1 - 2 seconds with street tires you will be faster than those running R-compounds once you start using them :cool:, or even better learn to be as fast with street tires as those running R-compounds, it's possible to do so only for a lap or two depending on the track conditions but then you can really lay down the smack :D
 
2slow2speed said:
If you can get within 1 - 2 seconds with street tires you will be faster than those running R-compounds once you start using them :cool:, or even better learn to be as fast with street tires as those running R-compounds, it's possible to do so only for a lap or two depending on the track conditions but then you can really lay down the smack :D

True that! Last year I did an event at a 2 mile course in MI (Gingerman) and I decided to drive there (5 hours) and just run street tires. I actually set the bar high, to be the fastest NSX PERIOD, and beat everyone else except the Z06's. Well I was the 3rd fastest of all cars that day in the top group. (even passed 2 CTSC NSX's) I got beat by a Z06 on slicks, and by an NSX on slicks, but I was dead even with the fastest NSX (on slicks), but could not get by him :mad: I had soooo much fun getting 110% out of the NSX. If I was on slicks, I would have had an easy day, except for the Z06, which I think I could have at least matched.

Not to mention the sweet drifts I could do out of turn 1!!!!

Here is the first lap out in a session with cold tires!! :biggrin: oops!
 

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2slow2speed said:
If you can get within 1 - 2 seconds with street tires you will be faster than those running R-compounds once you start using them :cool:, or even better learn to be as fast with street tires as those running R-compounds, it's possible to do so only for a lap or two depending on the track conditions but then you can really lay down the smack :D


Ditto and Amen to that Ken :tongue: :biggrin:
 
comquat1 said:
Snap! That's cold!:tongue: I so can't wait until I get up to the expert group so I can kick your azz out there.:biggrin: Flip that timer over, it'll prolly take that long though, since you guys are having me sandbag this year by telling me not to get R-compound....:tongue:


That was too funny,

What you need to do is keep track of your lap times and use them for educational purposes, not bragging rights, then as you progress, go out and pass them on your street rubber.:biggrin:
 
Re: We don't need no stinking lap timers !!!

That's the mantra of the real smack talkers in Sacto. Never could figure that out. :confused:
 
Doug just hang one of these around your neck...:biggrin:
 
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comquat1 said:
Smartass, did Tom alert you that it's Doug season or something?:tongue:


I'm coming after ALL you guys this year! :wink: :tongue:

The TraqMate seems pretty cool. A Viper guy I met at Joliet Autobahn had one, and he was in my group. We were clicking off exact same lap times. They ain't cheap though.

Sean
 
Re: I shoulda known


Looks like the Hot Lap Timer is seiously outdated for power, compactness and all the e-tech goodies. AIM data systems are economical and selling quite well at the club racing level. I've moved on to a Pi system, so I guess my old Hot Lap Timer will just be a donation to some broke but deserving hot shoe.
 
Re: I shoulda known

92 white 0650 said:
Looks like the Hot Lap Timer is seiously outdated for power, compactness and all the e-tech goodies. AIM data systems are economical and selling quite well at the club racing level. I've moved on to a Pi system, so I guess my old Hot Lap Timer will just be a donation to some broke but deserving hot shoe.

That's me!:biggrin:
 
Spend the extra money and get a GPS based data acquisition system so you can actually analyze your driving, instead of just measuring lap times. There are several good systems on the market for less than $1000. GPS based systems don’t require the track side beacon. I have the Traqmate system in my racecar and it is probably the easiest to use of all the systems.

Bob
 
1BADNSX said:
Spend the extra money and get a GPS based data acquisition system so you can actually analyze your driving, instead of just measuring lap times. There are several good systems on the market for less than $1000. GPS based systems don’t require the track side beacon. I have the Traqmate system in my racecar and it is probably the easiest to use of all the systems.

Bob

Although I'm using a regular beacon setup I'd have to agree with this. My buddy has the traqmate and since i've been playing with certain corners it would be nice to know what has been working and what hasn't been working....

save up... do yourself a favor.

x
 
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