Start Setup

Once you are onsite, find out how you’ll need to set up the start. Time Trial races can start either from flat ground, or from the top of a ramp. Make sure you know what is planned so you can set up your timing gear accordingly.

Your primary timing device should be set up at the bottom of the ramp, or far enough from the front wheel of the racers bikes so that they do not trigger it accidently before they start. There is usually a mark for them to stop their bike at. Remember that the chip should not be in the activator’s field before the racer start, use a Loop Checker to make sure they are well out of it.

If you are setting up a Photocell, make sure the stands are stable and extend high enough to catch the leading edge of the tire. Connect the Photocell the the Summit timer and test that you are getting a good read. If the Photocell isn’t aligned well, small vibrations can break the beam and create extraneous times.

Because you have time between each start, you can enter each bib number into the Summit, then press “Post”. This will save the bib number and assign it to the next impulse the Summit receives, hopefully from the racer breaking the Photocell beam. When the Summit sends this time and number to Zone4 it will be assigned as a start time.

If possible, you can connect the Photocell to an activator using a Freeze Time Cable. Banana clips can be connected in sequence (although its a good idea to tape them in place so they don’t fall out) and then the Freeze Time Cable can be connected to the open port of the activator. This will give the activator any times that come from the Photocells and can be used to confirm start times.

In addition to the Photocell and activator you can also have someone enter times manually on to a phone using the zone4 app or a summit. This will add more data incase something goes wrong.