LAPTIMER by Rebel Racing

What this software DOES:

This software was written targeting laptiming at karting enduro races but is not limited to only that.  There are three basic formats for recording laptimes.  The first is intended for practice sessions and allows independent timing of five (5) different karts.  The second is also intended for practice sessions but provides for breaking the lap up into intervals while still timing the complete lap also.  This mode is set up for three (3) different karts.  The third and final mode, is intended for tracking your driver during the race.  It provides lap times on the leader, (or whoever you choose), your driver, the nearest pursuer, (again, whoever you choose), and split times between each driver.  You may also enter the the time available in each case prior to starting the laptiming and the software will tell you how many laps will be completed by the first driver being timed.  The user may also enter the length of one lap in miles prior to starting any lap timing.  The data from each session may be saved to a file of user defined name.  Laptimes and splits as appropriate will be recorded just as they were displayed on the screen and the software will also provide the fastest lap, slowest lap, average lap time and speed for each driver being timed.

How to make this software DO all that:

Menu items are selected by depressing the associated number key once.  The return key is not necessary to select a menu item.  First select the 'DURATION OF RACE' menu item by depressing the '6' key.  Obviously a timed practice session is equally applicable here.  Enter the lenght of the session in minutes and depress the return key when done.  The software will default to 45 minutes unless a different number is entered.  Select the 'TRACK LENGTH' menu item by depressing the '7' key.  Enter the track length in miles and depress the return key when done.  Note that the track length is only used when saving data to a file and is optional.

Format 1 Operation

This is the intended racing mode of operation and is aimed at enduro racing.  That's not to say that it can't be used otherwise but some compromises may have to be made.  Given sufficient interest, other versions of this software could be generated.  Anyways, back to reality....

Depress the '1' key to start Format 1.  The screen will clear and change to the Format 1 screen.  There are headings for the leader's, the racer's and the follower's laptimes and lap numbers, and the split times between the leader and the racer, and between the racer and the follower.  The bottom of the screen will display the elapsed time, the time remaining and the number of laps remaining.  Note that the number of laps remaining includes the lap that is completed after time has elapsed, (taking the checkered flag).  The bottom line indentifies the Function keys that are active and provides short pnumonics.  The first three function keys are used to complete each lap for the leader, racer and follower respectively.  The F10 key exits the Format 1 screen.  

The F7 key restarts the timing if the F10 key was inadvertently pressed.  The F9 key should be pressed when the green flag goes up.  This will start the elapsed time running and the time remaining counting down.  That will also deactivate the F7 and F9 keys and activate the F5 key.  The F5 key should be pressed at the drop of the green flag to start the lap times on each driver.  Alternatively, The F1, F2 and F3 keys may be depressed to start each lap individually.  Laptimes for each driver and the elapsed time and time remaining will update each second.  

The F1 key should be depressed when the leader crosses the line.  The software will display the leader's first laptime to the nearest tenth of a second and start the second laptime and the split timer between the leader and the racer.  The split time will be updated each second like the laptimes.  

The F2 key should be depressed when the racer crosses the line.  The software will display the racer's laptime, and the split time between the leader and the racer, each to the nearest tenth of a second.  The racer's second lap timer will start running and the split timer between the racer and the follower will start running.

The F3 key should be depressed when the follower crossss the line.  The software will display the follower's laptime, and the split time between the leader and the racer, each to the nearest tenth of a second.

Each lap is a repeat of the three steps above, sequentially depressing F1, F2, F3 each time the karts roll by.  There are two limitations within the software that I haven't dealt with yet.  All three karts must be on the same lap and the software isn't set up to handle when the racer becomes the leader.

Depress the F10 key at the completion of the race.  Note that this will not complete current laps.  Do not perform this step until all individuals have taken the checkered flag.  The F10 key will exit the Format 1 screen and return to the main menu screen.  Now is the time to save the data to a file.  Simply enter a standard DOS filename and press return.

The F7 key in the Format 1 screen allows picking up the lap timing if the F10 key was inadvertently depressed.  No data will be lost and all laptimes and split times will be displayed just as they were.  This allows the operator to enter the track length if that was forgotten earlier.  Changing the duration of the race now will confuse the software.  It will start from the new time.  It isn't smart enough to go back and recalculate everything.

Format 2 Operation:

Format 2 is intended for your basic practice session though it can be used during a race if split times aren't needed or if you expect to time drivers on different laps.  It allows independent timing of up to five (5) different drivers.  Format 2 is selected from the main menu by depressing the '2' key.  

An intermediate screen will appear allowing the operator to enter an identifier for each car being timed.  The first eight characters will be displayed on the Format 2 screen as a pnuemonic for which function key is which.  These identifiers will also be used in any saved data files.  Simply depress the number of the car and enter it's identifier followed by the return key.  Each identifier will be shown in the top half of the screen.  Depress the '9' key when you are done entering the car identifiers.  This will continue to the Format 2 screen.

The Format 2 screen is similar to the Format 1 screen. The bottom of the screen will display the elapsed time, the time remaining and the number of laps remaining.  Note that the number of laps remaining includes the lap that is completed after time has elapsed, (taking the checkered flag).  The number of laps remaining is calculated based on Car One's average lap time and the time remaining.  The bottom line indentifies the Function keys that are active and provides short pnumonics.  The first five function keys may be used to mark the completion of each lap for up to five different drivers.  The F10 key exits the Format 2 screen.  There are headings for each driver for lap number and lap times.

The F7 key restarts the timing if the F10 key was inadvertently pressed.  The F9 key should be pressed at the start of the session.  This will start the elapsed time running up, and the time remaining counting down.  That will also deactivate the F7 and F9 keys and activate keys F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5.

The function key, (F1 to F5), assigned to each driver should be depressed when they cross the line.  The first time each key is pressed will start the lap timer for that driver.  Each lap time will be updated each second.  The second, and each additional time, the key is pressed, the driver's laptime will be displayed to the nearest tenth of a second and the next laptimer started.

These keys may be pressed in any order.  The driver assigned to the F3 key may pass the driver assigned to the F1 key without any errors occurring in the timing of each driver.  Each column of lap numbers and laptimes will scroll individually if the bottom of the screen is reached.

Depress the F10 key at the completion of the session.  Note that this will not complete current laps.  Do not perform this step until all individuals have completed all timed laps.  The F10 key will exit the Format 2 screen and return to the main menu screen.  Now is the time to save the data to a file.  Simply enter a standard DOS filename and press return.

The F7 key in the Format 2 screen allows picking up the lap timing if the F10 key was inadvertently depressed.  No data will be lost and all laptimes and identifiers will be displayed just as they were.  This allows the operator to enter the track length if that was forgotten earlier.  Changing the duration of the race now will confuse the software.  It will start from the new time.  It isn't smart enough to go back and recalculate everything.

Format 3 Operation:

Format 3 could be termed a more advanced practice session though it can be used during a race if desired and you expected to time drivers on different laps.  It allows independent timing of up to three (3) different drivers with up to nine intervals per lap.  Format 3 is selected from the main menu by depressing the '3' key.  

An intermediate screen will appear allowing the operator to enter an identifier for each car being timed and the number of intervals.  The first eight characters of each car identifier will be displayed on the Format 3 screen as a pnuemonic for which function key is which.  These identifiers will also be used in any saved data files.  Simply depress the number of the car and enter it's identifier followed by the return key.  Each identifier will be shown in the top half of the screen.  Depress the '6' key and enter the number of intervals desired followed by the return key.  The number of intervals will be displayed in the top half of the screen.  Depress the '9' key when you are done entering the car identifiers.  This will continue to the Format 3 screen.

The Format 3 screen is similar to the Format 1 and Format 2 screens. The bottom of the screen will display the elapsed time, the time remaining and the number of laps remaining.  Note that the number of laps remaining includes the lap that is completed after time has elapsed, (taking the checkered flag).  The number of laps remaining is calculated based on Car One's average lap time and the time remaining.  The bottom line indentifies the Function keys that are active and provides short pnumonics.  The first three function keys may be used to mark the completion of each lap for up to three different drivers.  The F10 key exits the Format 2 screen.  There are headings for each driver for lap number, interval number and lap times.  There is an additional line at the bottom to provide a running timer for the active lap of each driver being timed.  The bottom number in a given colum is the active interval timer.

The F7 key restarts the timing if the F10 key was inadvertently pressed.

The function key, (F1 to F3), assigned to each driver should be depressed when they cross the line.  The first time each key is pressed will start the lap timer and interval timer for that driver.  Each interval time in the column, and the lap time at the bottom of the screen will be updated each second.  The next time a driver's key is pressed, the interval time will be displayed to the nearest tenth of a second and the next interval timer started.  That will continue until the number of intervals per lap is completed.  Then the final interval will be displayed to the nearest tenth of a second and immediately below that in the column, the full lap time will be displayed to the nearest tenth of a second.  The running lap timer at the bottom of the screen will restart on the new lap.

These keys may be pressed in any order.  The driver assigned to the F3 key may pass the driver assigned to the F1 key without any errors occurring in the timing of each driver.  Each column of lap numbers and laptimes will scroll individually if the bottom of the screen is reached.

Depress the F10 key at the completion of the session.  Note that this will not complete current laps.  Do not perform this step until all individuals have completed all timed laps.  The F10 key will exit the Format 2 screen and return to the main menu screen.  Now is the time to save the data to a file.  Simply enter a standard DOS filename and press return.

The F7 key in the Format 3 screen allows picking up the lap timing if the F10 key was inadvertently depressed.  No data will be lost and all laptimes and identifiers will be displayed just as they were.  This allows the operator to enter the track length if that was forgotten earlier.  Changing the duration of the race now will confuse the software.  It will start from the new time.  It isn't smart enough to go back and recalculate everything.

There is some problems with the data file calcuations that are unresolved at this time.  I haven't figured out a good way to deal with all the interval times yet so the calculation portion at the bottom of the data file will be in error.  The listing of interval times and lap times for each driver will be accurate though.

Is it really that difficult?

If you merely play with the software before you go to the track I think you'll find that it's pretty easy to operate.  It really does help to practice running the software though.  I've only actually used one day myself and was very impressed with myself.  It is much easier this way to time multiple cars than using multiple stopwatches.  Plus, you don't have to write everything down yourself.

So, you found a bug.....

Quick, squish it.  Well, it would help to let me know.  Just send email or snailmail to one of the addresses listed below in the registering section.

What?!?  You want me to register?

Don't worry, I'm releasing this as freeware and I just want people to register so I can fluff my ego.  I would also like to know what you think of this software.  If you have suggestions or requests, let me know.  I may be able to help you out with a custom modification.

Email addresses:

cbunnell@dinah.lerc.nasa.gov      This is my work address and will be good for a long time (hopefully ;))

RebelRacer@aol.com	This is currently good though I'm in the process of switching to

rebelracer@en.com	At least I think it's going to be this

Snailmail:

Chuck Bunnell
11304 Thwing Road
Chardon, OH  44024-8408

Should you want to surf the web, I can be found at these homepages:

http://sven.lerc.nasa.gov/~cbunnell		I call this my work page but that's only because it's at work ;)

http://www.interseve.com/~phrantic/i4.htm		This is my double wide trailer

Anything else?

See you at the track!
