Transponder for HPDE

[charlesbates]

1st; let it be known that I know nothing about transponders. Due to my budget I can only afford to run in HPDE2 once or twice a year. However; I would like to know how fast I am lapping, or more precisely; how slowly I am lapping.

My questions are: Can I rent a transponder? If so, dose the club even keep HPDE time? If the answers are no, are there any other automatic (and low cost) options open to me?

[TurboShortBus]

Transponders are not used in HPDE, as laps are not timed by NASA at that level (not in Florida, anyway).

 

If you are looking for timed laps, then you need to provide your own standalone gear (Longacre Hot Lap Timer, friend with a stopwatch, etc.).

 

But generally, there are companies who will rent transponders for weekend use.

 

Mark

[nasaregistrar]

The timing system will not be in use during HPDE sessions in the MA region and I would expect this in all regions.

[Lucid Moments]

No timing in HPDE in the southeast either. Considering that budget is an issue for you then a friend with a stopwatch is your best bet.

 

There are other timing systems, but none of them is cheap. Best bet would be one of the GPS based systems. It will time your laps, but it will also let you analyze the different sections so you can see why you are faster.

 

Best of all is don't worry about the times. Running in HPDE2 you will mostly be traffic limited anyway so your overall lap times won't really reflect how well you are driving. But I do understand the desire to know your lap times.

[Aardwolf]

You can get your times off of a camera as well, and those can be cheap or find a good one used. If the finish line is on a straight stretch you could just use your watch.

[Robnie0723]

+1 for a low cost digital video camera for HPDE, much better feedback than just a lap time. Especially if you need to go back and figure out a "how did that happen" moment.

 

One tip is to sync up video (open two windows and start them simultaneously) with from someone driving a similar car on the same track (search YouTube).

[Cheap_Thrills]

I seem to remember that formally timing laps in HPDE, especially 1&2, is not supposed to be allowed because it's considered training. If someone's that serious about lap times, they'll probably push the passing rules and/or scare some newer folks. I know I hate it when someone with a much higher performance car is right on my tail. I had a pretty bad spin once because of this, pushing too hard at a new track because of pressure from behind. In download he apologized, said he was working on a good lap time.

 

That said, we all like to know about where we're running when we get a chance to run a lap unimpeded. I usually have a friend with a stopwatch. NASA was even giving away stopwatches at one of my HPDE events.

[jason]

Video is invaluable. (is that a word?)

[drumbeater]

Strap a stopwatch (with big green and red buttons) to you steering wheel where you can easily hit the buttons and it does not interfere with your being able to handle the wheel. Probably not the safest way, but the cheapest. (disclaimer: I never actually did this, just saw it on another car.)

 

DB

[John_FFR]

If you already have a lap timer, does anyone set up a transmitter or do I have to bring my own? Everywhere else I've been has had at least 3 Hot lap transmitters at the start/finish line.

[TurboShortBus]

It's a good idea to bring your own (lap timer transmitter, that is) in case nobody else shows up with one.

 

Mark

Edited April 20, 2009 by Guest

[Ev]

Video is invaluable. (is that a word?)

 

Seems so:

Invaluable

Video

 

Since I didn't know which word was confusing you, I provided the definition of both..

[Dynamite924s]

Strap a stopwatch (with big green and red buttons) to you steering wheel where you can easily hit the buttons and it does not interfere with your being able to handle the wheel. Probably not the safest way, but the cheapest. (disclaimer: I never actually did this, just saw it on another car.)

 

DB

 

Sure. j/k.

[DarkSideDE]

Just one more thing. Which ever group you are with - ask the organizers if you can time your laps. I don't know how NASA does their event insurance, but they do cover races, so you never know. But in a straight out HPDE only, most of the insurance carriers have it spelt out - no timing devices of any kind. The reason, it is an educational driving event and that means if you are timing it is a competition event. In one insurance policy we use to use, the difference was about $3500 bucks if you want to come and time your laps. I haven't even asked what the difference is with the new insurance carrier we use, just not worth it, and I've never found anyone who wanted to pay the difference.

 

So please, call ahead...

 

And video is great, you can get all your details from that - it's a learning tool...

 

P.S. I don't know how a stopwatch strapped onto your steering wheel would fly with a tech team. What if it decided to fly off and into your face? Please think safety first.

[kbrew8991]

just record your sessions and use a stopwatch later

[TurboShortBus]

I just hang an hourglass from the rearview mirror and try to "beat the sand." lol

 

Mark

[AJ Hartman]

i have the performance box from race logic. it was 400$ so a little pricey, but its nice cause i can set up to 6 split points so u can concentrate on different section of the track at a time, rather then just a whole lap time. it also data logs and comes with software to see exactly what u did. i like it a lot.