Lap timers for racing - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

botch · 07-30-2002, 01:43

Now that im getting serious (haha) about racing at winton. I was wondering what people use to time there laps, that is consistent and accurate. I know that i could have someone at the side of the track with a stopwatch but i would dont think it would be an accurate way of tracking lap time.

What i was after was a way of measuring lap time on board the car, maybe with a sensor or something mounted to a post at the start/finish time.

does anybody know if a terratrip will do this, or another cheap way to go?

I was thinking of maybe rigging up a infared sensor and reflector (like they use for a door chime at the shop) and hooking up to a simple timer ciruit from dick smith or something!

vpv8calais · 07-30-2002, 02:44

Not too sure about the cheaper side cos im not a tech head, but the timers used in most circuit racing classes is called a Dorian, produced by Dorian Industries.

Dunno if that helps or not but it might be worth giving them a call and they can maybe point you in other directions.

xacoupe · 07-30-2002, 03:22

pretty sure a terratrip could do this as all you would have to do is set the distance.. but if you had an off or a slide it would get all screwed up.
Whats wrong with a friend with a stopwatch?? or can't you find a friend ?? hehehehe

smciner1 · 07-30-2002, 05:56

I have used a stopwatch to time around Winton. You just need to respect the accuracy of it and don't get too carried away with it.

botch · 07-31-2002, 03:57

Dunno if the stopwatch will record lap times that are over 60 mins though!

I would like an onboard system so that i can try to better myself each lap...but i supose someone with a stop watch and a two way radio would do the same thing !

cortinagt · 07-31-2002, 05:24

Yeah the Doran is used on race days and some club days. Its a sender unit that a loop under the track on the start/finish line picks up.

If your just doing testing and stuff then get a mate to use a stopwatch. They are fairly accurate, but as smciner1
says dont get too carried away comparing times with others. It is amazing how fast people's stopwatches can be. They can do a good second or so quicker on a stop watch in private practice than on the Dorian timer on the Sunday. The old "you shoulda been here yesterday the track conditions were so much better....etc etc".

When the flag drops the BS stops...........

botch · 08-03-2002, 01:31

any info or websites for this doran timer??

With my current ability a facilty to count hours per lap mite be needed :):s3

WINGED · 08-03-2002, 02:26

[QUOTE]Originally posted by botch
[B]Dunno if the stopwatch will record lap times that are over 60 mins though!

Haha join the club.

Have you been to the island any rough times last time i was there was a guy who ran a 1.22 i think in a datto coupe and i got stuck out the with the open wheelers no hope of keeping up with them so the car decided to spit the fly wheel out and put bits of gear box all over the main straight that slowed them down and me to.

botch · 08-03-2002, 20:14

haha, welldone ! good effort