Digital start clocks...

[Andrew 4CE]

I know there are a few clubs using digital start clocks...

If you had to do it again, what would you change/add to make it better?

Thanks for your help!

[Bill Huson]

a flasher (blinky-blink) lamp on top of clock would help drivers locate the clock. The traditional black background digital can be a PITA to find with a backdrop of vegetation and/or pack-o-trailers.

[PRO-MOTIONRACING]

I always thought a smaller display (like 8") on the top or back facing the beach would be nice while watching the races

[Nilsen Racing]

All good in the Northwest

I know there are a few clubs using digital start clocks...

If you had to do it again, what would you change/add to make it better?

Thanks for your help!

Region 10 has used digital start clocks for APBA outboard races (inboard races also) for many years. Change/add??? Not sure we would do either. Happy with digital start clocks.

Just my thoughts
Jim

[daveracerdsh]

Clock

I was the builder of SOA's digital clock in 1993...a racer named John Adams designed it....the thing is pretty heavy and uses old school technology....and it is finally wearing out after many seasons of hard use....the club to the south of us, CORA, has in my opinion the best clock I have ever seen...using led lights. You can spot the thing from a mile away......and it sure cuts down on the gun jumping. (trust me I know) I think it should be mandatory for clubs running stock nationals to use a digital clock....

[Andrew 4CE]

Thanks for that input, it's great.

How about from the people running them? Remote key pads? Too heavy? Too light in wind? Features to add?

[deverhart1]

Clocks

IOA has one and I love it. I can nail the starts. Altho I am so old and fat I'm usually caught by second turn it sure is fun being in front for a while and not decued.
David Everhart S52

[blueskyracer]

I have only raced with one digital clock and could never read it so I just went with the flow and always had bad starts unless it was extremely cloudy..

[Fast Jack]

more Rules we dont need!!

I was the builder of SOA's digital clock in 1993...a racer named John Adams designed it....the thing is pretty heavy and uses old school technology....and it is finally wearing out after many seasons of hard use....the club to the south of us, CORA, has in my opinion the best clock I have ever seen...using led lights. You can spot the thing from a mile away......and it sure cuts down on the gun jumping. (trust me I know) I think it should be mandatory for clubs running stock nationals to use a digital clock....

Just what we need another rule !!

[Raymond]

I was the builder of SOA's digital clock in 1993...a racer named John Adams designed it....the thing is pretty heavy and uses old school technology....and it is finally wearing out after many seasons of hard use....the club to the south of us, CORA, has in my opinion the best clock I have ever seen...using led lights. You can spot the thing from a mile away......and it sure cuts down on the gun jumping. (trust me I know) I think it should be mandatory for clubs running stock nationals to use a digital clock....

Dave,

Do you still have the blueprint/drawing/spec sheet for the clock you mention? What would it cost to bulid today?

[Matt Dagostino]

Clock..........

[QUOTE=.and it sure cuts down on the gun jumping. (trust me I know) I think it should be mandatory for clubs running stock nationals to use a digital clock....[/QUOTE]

I agree completely!! It is 2011 and we still use old 'stick' clocks at our major events.

We in Region 4 (CVRA) have used a Inboard style digital since the 80's and it is great!! You know exactly the seconds left on the clock and can easily mark reference points while milling. We are going to buy a new one this winter!! Steve Dunn is researching it and we hope to have a new lighter smaller version at our events in 2012!!

This would be a good 'agenda' item for Chicago for the SORC to visit. It would be a positive step tword trying to moving into the new 'Digital Age' that APBA is fostering with the Crown Partners group..........just a thought!

[Team 12R]

CORA digital clock

Dave,

Do you still have the blueprint/drawing/spec sheet for the clock you mention? What would it cost to bulid today?

Raymond,

Mike Johnson, aka "Cameraboy" is the keeper of the CORA clock. Although several people in region 10 were involved in the design of the clock, Mike knows all the details and is glad to share that information.

The new digital clock is just like having the barge clock on board. You can see the exact time anywhere on the course that you can see the front of the clock. it's that good.

Unfortunately i don't even make all the region 10 races. However after getting spoiled with the CORA clock I felt like I was learning to start all over again in Wakefield last summer. Maybe that's why I sucked so bad.. lol

[hydroid]

Spec?

TORC is spec'ing out a clock, but comes down to $, # of digits, weight, size, who will haul it, etc...
Please provide the preferred spec for your clocks.
- how many digits?
- digit height, visible distance
- panel weight
- viewing angle
We've been told 1" digit ht = 50' visible distance; can someone confirm this based on your clock?
We spec'd a 2 digit panel(00), having 99sec max countdown.
The 2 digit panels have following weight/visible range: 22"(60lb/1100'), 28"(70lb/1400'), 36"(100lb/1800').
Outdoor panels have limited viewing angle, approx 70degs, indoor panels have 120degs but not suitable for our application.
Do any club clocks have 10ths secs, or minutes, and are these essential, given most analog clocks are only used for 60secs?
When we spec'd 36" digits, 0:00.0 with min:sec.tenths(4 digits), the panel is 4'x10', 300lb, very cumbersome & heavy. This will need a dedicated trailer/barge, hauler. The 2 digit 36" is much easier to haul/store/set up.

As mentioned above, we have a limited budget, and want to maximize usefulness of appropriate spec. Pleae share your experiences.
Thanks,
Erik

[hydroid]

I agree completely!! It is 2011 and we still use old 'stick' clocks at our major events.

We in Region 4 (CVRA) have used a Inboard style digital since the 80's and it is great!! You know exactly the seconds left on the clock and can easily mark reference points while milling. We are going to buy a new one this winter!! Steve Dunn is researching it and we hope to have a new lighter smaller version at our events in 2012!!

This would be a good 'agenda' item for Chicago for the SORC to visit. It would be a positive step tword trying to moving into the new 'Digital Age' that APBA is fostering with the Crown Partners group..........just a thought!

Pls have Steve contact us to share spec, get some synergy here.
Any other clubs, pls share spec and experience. TORC wants to finalize spec over 60 days, fundraise, have this for 2012 season.
thx

[Matt Dagostino]

Clock

Pls have Steve contact us to share spec, get some synergy here.
Any other clubs, pls share spec and experience. TORC wants to finalize spec over 60 days, fundraise, have this for 2012 season.
thx

I talked to Steve today and he is going to look over this thread tonight and get some info from all who have posted...............he has been working with a Canaidian group but this info might be helpful!!

Matt