Information about the Transponders

The transponders used by the Race Timer system are EXTREMELY durable, made from a polycarbonate material, requiring virtually zero maintenance, no batteries, and having an indefinite life. It cant get much better than that.

They can be covered with mud, or completely hidden with layers on layers of duct tape and still have full reliability at the checkpoint. When ready to use, they'll be programmed with your rider number, and as you change classes / rider number through the years, you need only reprogram it with your new rider number.

How fast can I ride through the checkpoint? If properly mounted, the system will detect riders at almost any speed – with one exception – the (Quad) Honda EX400 4 stroke. Although the exact reason is unknown, this is the only "cycle" I'm aware of where riders have to slow down when passing through the checkpoint. I've heard that grounding the carburetor to the frame will improve transponder pickup, but I've not had the opportunity to confirm this.

Promoters normally control the speed at the checkpoint with a series of "S" curves - enough to eliminate any possibility of passing through faster than the system can detect you. In most cases, the real concern is protecting the equipment from riders losing control - and not to ensure you're passing through the checkpoint slow enough.

Most promoters allocate time prior to an event where riders can make some practice passes through the checkpoint to confirm the system is detecting their transponder. Riders are encouraged to conduct this self-test, to ensure theirs is mounted properly. It's a lot easier to discover mounting problems prior to the event than during race time.

Does the system differentiate between two riders close together? The system is easily able to differentiate between riders at the checkpoint – regardless how close they are together. The transponders are very directional, so even if the lead rider has his mounted on the rear fender and the trailing rider has his mounted on the front fender, the system will still detect both riders.

What happens if I forget my transponder at home? Normally promoters have additional transponders available at signup – allowing you to rent one for the day. The "standard" is you'll be asked to pay full price at signup, but you'll be given all of it back minus $5.00 if you return it that same day.

Where should I mount my transponder? Regardless where it’s mounted, the transponder must be mounted cross-ways, horizontal to the ground. The transponder will not work if it’s mounted on metal or if you use metal ties to tie it to your cycle. The best practice is to tie-wrap it to your chest protector, either in the front or back – it doesn’t matter. You can also put it in a back-pack, as long as the transponder remains horizontal. An alternative location is to mount it to either the front or rear fender. You can also mount it on the crossbar pad, but be sure to tape the crossbar pad so it wont rotate. The transponder will not work if it comes in contact with the triple-clamps.

Take the time to ensure your transponder is securely mounted. Use extra tie-wraps or duct-tape. Remember – the transponder is YOURS, so take the extra time to ensure you don’t lose it.