for people who hit the timing equipment

[chuck schultz]

Some clubs I've run with have olicies that say if you hit anything other than cones, you're finished for the day. They may also DQ all revious times. This might make folks think more about the ramifications of doing the wrong thing.

On an unrelated note, I decided to sto using my "" key, to emulate Evan. That failure mode is starting to get interesting.

[slowautoxr]

No one hits the lights on purpose. I've seen rookies and experienced drivers hit them. I'm not a fan of the driver being responsible to pay for them either. Buy some cheaper heads or figure out a way to protect them in the event of contact.

[Patrix33]

Chuck, not to be personal but your "p" is not working

[EWaugh]

No one hits the lights on purpose. I've seen rookies and experienced drivers hit them. I'm not a fan of the driver being responsible to pay for them either. Buy some cheaper heads or figure out a way to protect them in the event of contact.

I've not a fan of the club having to replace them either. It's either this one or the $1200 head that doesn't need a reflector box. We are using the cheaper one.

[TouringBubble]

With the $1200 one, would we be able to move it further from harm's way? If so, it might be a better option.

[engled]

I've not a fan of the club having to replace them either. It's either this one or the $1200 head that doesn't need a reflector box. We are using the cheaper one.

The $1,200 set doesn't have a reflector but it does have another head to be hit, so now you have two expensive pieces that can be destroyed instead of one.

[engled]

How far apart can the heads be? Maybe "protect" the expensive part with some more cones.

They are rated "up to 70 feet", my experience with them is more like 40 feet.

[waflet]

hideeho
i would highly endorse building a LARGE structure to enclose the photo cell side in. i'm thinking 3'x3'x3' 4 sided 1/4" STEEL cube w/ a removable internal enclosure for the cell and the rest of it filled w/ sprayon foam insulation. mount it on 4 adjustable legs to aim it. i don't have a welder or break to build it, but would volunteer to help someone who does w/ the design.

[waflet]

hideeho
i just had a thought about my previous suggestion. how big can we make the enclosure w/ endangering someone on a cart?

[JohnW8]

Before we start shopping for a Nuke Proof enclosure store for a timing light box, why not just announce at the drivers meeting the importance/value of the lights, avoid hitting them at all cost, and configure the course to have a safe straight finish. Having been one who has nearly hit the expensive side of the lights I can tell you it was because I was OVERDRIVING the car trying to squeeze a millisecond out of that run. Course design can be done to eliminate the control issue at finish. A wall of cones beyond the finish line that count against you if you hit them can bring the finishing driver under control. We drivers need to be reintroduced to the brake pedal on course.

[TouringBubble]

I think there is a simple solution here ...

1) Reiterate the importance of not hitting the lights ... cost, breaking them and ending the day, etc.
2) Let course designers know about the issues and develop slow, straight finishes.
3) And, just in case, add some mild shock absorption to the lights, such as an impact absorbing foam ... nothing too over the top.

[slowautoxr]

How about selling insurance for $1-2 bucks? You know a time will come when someone hits the lights and they won't have the money.

[Cholewa]

The course before the previous one had the real tight uphill finish which nobody seemed to lose it in.. The last few though have been very last ditch effort to get that extra half second in at the end, with very straight shots coming out of a quick one two chicane or box. just make some crazy tight feature at the very end.

[aufoxy]

in my experience riding with novices (and being one not too long ago) in FWD cars.... novice (who usually overdrive in the corners) + FWD cars + lots of push + "crazy tight feature" at the end = not a good combination... I actually worried about the 90 degree right turn finish at the end of Points 2 (2?) anyway, I'm a fan of using the straight finish tactic, and telling people in the drivers meeting about the importance of the timing lights. maybe tell them "if youre going to try to pick up the .1 seconds that you need, do it somewhere in the middle of the course, not near the timing lights at the end" just my .02

[slowautoxr]

When your going all out trying to get that last little bit, you don't think anything about the timing lights.