Excited for this!

The Highlands Sky Race Director Group initiated the process to investigate commercial options for chip timing. The primary goal was to search for a chip timing solution for start/finish line. 

I researched eight companies, and narrowed it down to two based on upfront cost, usability, and customer support. We demonstrated these two systems (ChronoTrack and RaceResult). Dan, Adam and his family, and I demonstrated the RaceResult on April 6. The system is affordable, straightforward to setup/use, and offers good performance. 

The biggest realization from this process is that our current club timing software, Race Director ( https://www.theracedirector.com/ ), is discontinued March 2024. All functionality is integrated into Race Day Scoring ( https://info.runsignup.com/products/raceday/raceday-scoring/ ). I think the biggest hurdle was learning this new software. I spent some time with the software and it functions intuitively and robustly. 

The proposal is to purchase a Race Result System 5000s with a 4.8 meter mat. It's the first option listed here. https://www.raceresult.com/en-us/shop/PassiveSystem . Total WVMTR cost $5,299 plus shipping. Races then purchase single-use chipped bibs for the races at a cost of about $1.15 per bib.

Pros of purchasing a chip timing system

• Easier morning check-in. We can use the recorded start chips as our start / DNS list. No more megaphone and scrambling to get people checked-in.
• Easier finish line monitoring. We can use only one manual backup instead of two manual backups and camera. Finish line folks can stop using binoculars and yelling "what's their number?!".
• Single system can be used for start and finish line.
• Race Result is a good company with track record of innovation. I expect them to be a long-term commercial option (meaning on-going customer/technical support).

Primary races to use this system are Highlands Sky and WV Trilogy. All club races are encouraged to use this system and timing software.

I tried to keep the description short, but I'll be happy to answer any questions you have. 

Andrew,

This looks like a great system.  Will the system work independent of Race Day Scoring?  I would like to keep the KT registrations on UltraSignUp if possible.

Bob

@arhodes5 This sounds great to me.  Thank you for all the research and work on this.

@bob-luther Yes, the equipment functions independently. In fact, it comes with its own timing software if you want to use it, Race Results 12.

Race Day Scoring is owned by Run Sign Up. However, it is NOT required to use Run Sign Up with Race Day Scoring. The timing software is run completely offline and can be used with runner data from Ultra Sign Up. 

I think this is a needed change for the club. So trilogy and highlands will definitely use it and then any other WVMTR race that wants to can?

@arhodes5 Thanks!  This will definitely alleviate a lot of the stress for RDs.

@laurbeam20 Yes, all club races/events can use this equipment. Also, I am happy to offer assistance to RD’s on how to use this equipment and Race Day Scoring software with their races. This would remove timing group expenses from those events. 

I most likely can’t attend all the club races at this stage in my life, but I’m happy to do training sessions with any RD (RD groups) that want to use it. 

I agree with the purchase, equipment helping to cause less headaches for RDs on race day is fantastic even if we spend a little more funds to purchase. 

@arhodes5 As part of the purchase, I propose we also plan a timing class for anyone interested in learning the system from the club.  Rachel and I attended one in taught by Dan Lehmann long before we took over the KT.  That set us up to time races for Corey Richardson and the KT gang.  Skilled volunteers are great volunteers!

I love all this. Sounds like a great system and definitely a needed step forward. Great that the club has the resources to invest in this for the good of the state -- This is a critical role for a group like this in a state of all relatively small races that couldnt afford it on their own. Should we consider purchasing a second one for a Northern/Southern split like the trailers?

@kaernigmail-com I think we should stick to one timing system for now. Let's get it here and get everyone comfortable with it. Yes, in the next couple of years, we should consider another system for north/south. I know most of the southern races hire timing groups, so I want to ensure a southern race wants to convert to this in-house system first. Also, there will be some technology updates to the timing equipment on the market in the next couple of years. I'm interested to see how that goes and would be interested in one of those systems. Those changes are too far in the future to wait for this purchase, but close enough that we may want to wait for a second purchase.

@bob-luther Yes, let's organize a volunteer's timing group lesson. We want to get as many volunteers involved as possible so the club and each race has a continuation (succession) plan.

It seems like everyone is supportive of this equipment ...

I move to purchase the Race Result System 5000s with a 4.8 meter mat  https://www.raceresult.com/en-us/shop/PassiveSystem  for a  club cost of $5,299 plus shipping. 

Bib purchases are a race expense. 

I second Andrew's motion.