Hare Scramble Scoring

(Free upgrades to licensed users)

We all know that keeping track of rider numbers, starting times, the number of laps completed, and then computing the overall standings can be a bit of a bugger for Hare Scramble events. That job is make a lot easier since the advent of the Race Timer system. What follows is a partial list of the systems capabilities.

• User friendly interface is simple and intuitive to use, requiring essentially no training. Contact the author if you'd like a sample set of data to run a practice race with.
• The systems ability use network connectivity between scoring stations enables you to handle any number of riders at the checkpoint. You can even score events using the internet for passing data to the checkpoint elements..
• Class standings and overall standings are a cinch to compute.
• Overall standings take into account the different starting times between the classes.
• The program spots riders who may have been cutting the course - and those who have been scored but who might not have signed up for the event.
• The program will display the individual lap times for every rider.
• The system enables users to automatically create AMA reports
• You can register riders by reading their AMA cards, or you can enter them directly into the dataase by reading their AMA cards.  The system alerts you if an AMA card has expired.
• The program can be customized for any numbering sequence used by a promoter, yet it does not require that any specific rider numbering system be used.
• Data entry mistakes are easy to correct, even during a race. It's easy to modify data for any rider after an event by right-clicking on the ridername.
• The system can be used to record the amount paid by each rider, and it will generate a financial report after the event.
• The system does not require synchronizing several watches / clocks - the computer's internal clock is used.
• If you're using the barcode capability, a race can be scored by a single person. Absolute worst case (manual operation) is that it takes no more than three people to score an event - one to call out rider numbers, one to enter the rider number as they pass the scoring station, and (optionally) one to write numbers down as a backup. In practice this isn't necessary since all data is automatically backed up in an archive file.
• The system can also import data from a barcode scanner, without any special software from the barcode manufacturer. The system is intended to use the PDT3100 Series made by Symbol, but if you contact the author, the program can be modified to support other barcode scanners.
• Users have full control over the output, including layout (portrait or landscape), and font size when you print the results.
• For those activities having access to a barcode scanner but who don't have the ability to print their own barcodes via a barcode printer, the system enables you to print your own barcodes. It's much better if the barcodes are printed with a barcode printer (they're waterproof), but a laser printer and clear tape to adhere the barcodes to a helmet will work just fine.
• The system will automatically create race reports that are ready to distribute to newspapers or other sponsors. You can view a report created directly by the software by clicking here.
• The system displays the rider number, rider class, how far the rider is behind the closest person ahead of him, and the current position - as each rider passes through the checkpoint.

This system not only tracks standings for all classes, it also computes (on a real time basis) the standings for all classes. At the conclusion of the race it also calculates the overall standings, taking into account the staggered start times.

The following graphics show some of the screens used in the program.  You can also go to http://www.postyard.com/vchss/scoring_remote-display.htm for more information on what the remote display looks like when used in conjunction with the Race Timer software.

First, prior to getting into the system, users must acknowledge a couple of basic configuration items. This is important to ensure that a local configuration wont cause problems later in the software

Disclaimer:

Opening Screen:

Enabling Network Support 

Setting the Starting Sequence

Rider Registration

If you elect to track a lot of information from the riders, I also give you the ability to manage a complete rider database as shown below

Exporting Registration data from the Registration Computer

Importing Registration Data into the Checkpoint Computer

Entering the data entry mode - A typical screen alerting the user that a data file already exists.

Entering data manually or via an (attached) scanner.

Selecting program output

Additional output options

Calculating the results

Viewing Lap data for any individual rider

Viewing data on individual riders - or looking for cheaters

Generating barcodes

Downloading Data from a Barcode Scanner

Sending Email to everyone in the Database

Calculating Series Standings (establishing parameters)

Calculating Series Standings (Selecting the events to include)

Calculating Series Standings (Actual calculations)

Remote Displays (real-time scoring)

A more detailed description of the remote display system is available by clicking here.

Backing up the data

Setting the parameters for RFID input

Setting the parameters for the Remote Display

Sample output - for a specific class

 

Sample output - for the overall results
(The system also provides the additional information in the Overall results that you see in the class results above.)

Sample Narrative style report generated by the system
The system will also generate a folksy-style race report which can (with few modifications) be forwarded to news organizations. Since the file is in HTML format, you can also post it directly to your website. Shown below is a partial example of one such report - displayed (for convenience) in notepad.

Leaderboard
The system provides you with the ability to not only show the riders position as he passed the checkpoint, but I also provide you with the ability to host a leaderboard.  The leaderboard (shown below) allows you to arrange every class on a large screen TV, with the position of every rider updated automatically ever 10 seconds.

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