---
title: "What is a Timing Point"
summary: "In the Zone4 timing software, a timing point refers to one or more timing devices in the same physical location on your race course that work together to assign a time to a racer."
categories: [faq-timing]
updated: 2020-11-16
---
In the Zone4 timing software, a *timing point* refers to one or more *timing devices* in the same physical location on your race course that work together to assign a time to a racer. Examples of a timing point could be

-   In a simple race where racers start and finish at the same point, the start/finish line would be one timing point
-   In a point-to-point race where racers start in one spot and finish in another, the start would be one timing point and the finish would be a different timing point
-   In a race where racers complete multiple laps of the same course, you might have a split in the middle of the lap. This would be a single timing point in the Zone4 software, regardless of how many racers cross it.

If multiple *time assignment devices* are configured at the same timing point, the best time from any device (according to [the time assignment logic](/kb/how-are-times-assigned-to-racers/)) will be assigned to that racer. If only one device is configured, that time will be assigned to the racer.

## What is a Timing Device?

A *timing device* is a source of times (and optionally, racer numbers) that the Zone4 software uses to create results. Zone4 currently supports the following timing devices:

-   GoChip timing loops
-   The keypad in the Zone4 android app
-   RapidCam photo finish cameras
-   Summit timers
-   Any device that can interface with a summit timer, including photocells or start gates

Timing devices produce two types of records: a raw time with no associated racer, or a time associated with a racer number. For example, when a GoChip crosses the timing loop, it creates a record that includes the time that chip crossed the loop, and a number to identify the racer who was wearing that chip. The timing software can then automatically assign that time to the correct racer.

For records that do not include a racer number, the time is recorded and will be displayed in [the times grid](/kb/using-photocell-times-with-chip-times-or-summit-data/), but will not be automatically assigned to the racer. In order to assign a time without a racer number to a racer, somebody must enter that racer’s number in the times grid to confirm which racer the time should be associated with.