What you select for timing devices will depend on the level of race you’re doing and whether the heats are timed or untimed. The timing device setup for heats happens on the Courses tab of your heats race.
Untimed Heats
For untimed heats there is no need to assign timing devices however assigning an android phone to the start might still be helpful so that you know when groups are on course. This is especially true when you do not have a good view of the race start.
Getting the finish order correct in untimed heats is the most important. What you choose to use to ensure the correct finish order is given will depend on what is available however here are a few options.
- Spotters: These are volunteers who are assigned to looking at the finish order as racers cross the line and relaying that info to the timing hut. Generally at least two spotters should be used.
- Video Camera set up at the finish: When a photofinish camera is unavailable setting up a camera at the finish can be a good alternative. This should be used in conjunction with spotters to determine close finishes since playing back video id time consuming.
- Photofinish Camera: When available a photofinish camera hooked up to a computer in the timing hut is the ideal solution.
Timed Heats (FIS Level)
All tier 1 (FIS sanctioned) races must have timed heats. Timing devices for tier 1 events are regulated by FIS. For these events you would use:
Start
- Start Horn hooked up to 2 summits SRT 2000.
- Summit as backup. This one can be SRT 1000 or 500.
- Here is how to program the devices under the start devices
Finish
Here is how to program the devices under the finish devices
- Photofinish camera as primary timing devices.
- Photocell (beam) as first backup.
- Summit with plunger for “post and plunge” by volunteer for 2nd backup.
- A mix of timing chips and spotters could be used for non FIS events.
- Here is an example on how the devices would be programmed under the finish devices:
