App based lap timer

[Zoobeef]

GreigM said:

Chr1sch said:

This is a very interesting topic, so with the likes of Harry's Laptimer (which is brilliant btw) it reads out lap times to you, how would that sit based on the info above?

Its not allowed, invalidates the TDOs insurance and if caught you will be sent home.

Or do as I do, use HLT to records laps and videos then when you get home go through them. Mounted behind me so I can't see anything.

[hufggfg]

Humour said:

I understand your views and I agree with you in principle. I wasn't trying to argue or justify any means. I simply stated my opinion that applies in many walks of life which always comes down to finances when breaking the rules are concerned, not just relating to this subject. Whether right or wrong, people will do things to avoid cost be it tax avoidance as an individual or a business, or the subject matter in question. My statement was simply trying to highlight that money and finances drives behaviours for better or worse, it's human nature and it will happen regardless.

Humour

Yep, sorry was just trying to clarify why I was being so harsh to others in the thread. Entirely agree with you.

[Fonzey]

I think this is a fairly interesting topic, and would be keen to know if the rule really is black/white or if there's some allowances for using HLT for GoPro control and/or overlaying.

Having a GoPro start/stop recording based on crossing the line is quite useful to have, I'm sure most people have accidentally left their camera running for a while to later find 64GB of pitlane Additionally the overlay ability for OBD/GPS information is fantastic from what I've seen/tested on the road.

That said, I can see why timing would be strictly banned - it's never something that's bothered me but by using HLT for the reasons mentioned above - you're passively gaining timing.

If the timing is out of view during sessions, perhaps that could be a reasonably compromise. Does HLT have the ability to run in te background whilst the phone/screen is locked?

Realisically they can't ban timing without banning video'ing - and that would be poor for TDO marketing I presume.

If something is difficult to police, in my experience it's better to publish compromises and prevent people from feeling the need to 'go underground'. It's clear from YouTube that HLT and similar is widely used on trackday events in the UK, so perhaps some clarification on the rules would be beneficial to everybody.

[spyderman8]

I think the most significant factor is removing any competitive element from the track day, even if its only against yourself.

Chris.

[corporalsparrow]

I've used 2 different systems, both iPhone based, and they've both been so useless I've had to give up and become law-abiding.

One was Harry's lap timer. The other was a brutally expensive vBox sport synced with an iPhone. I have no idea what I was doing wrong but neither managed to find the start line at Brands, Goodwood, Castle Combe or Donington.

[spyderman8]

corporalsparrow said:

The other was a brutally expensive vBox sport synced with an iPhone. I have no idea what I was doing wrong but neither managed to find the start line at Brands, Goodwood, Castle Combe or Donington.

Did you seek support from Racelogic? They're very helpful on their forum - and I bet if you contacted them you could take the kit to their Buckingham HQ and they'd help you fix the problems.

[Chr1sch]

Ultimately as far as i am aware HLT maps are only as good as the person that created/recorded them. I've only used it at bedford thus far but it was fantastic.

[spyderman8]

Got totally hacked off with HLT at Bedford this year - simply refused to know where it was and so absurdly slow I gave up. Very disappointing considering it's not a cheap app.

[Humour]

spyderman8 said:

I think the most significant factor is removing any competitive element from the track day, even if its only against yourself.

Chris.

Touche! Couldn't agree more.

[smiles1]

Has anybody found a good laptimer that works on the Nokia windows mobile phones?

[corporalsparrow]

spyderman8 said:

corporalsparrow said:

The other was a brutally expensive vBox sport synced with an iPhone. I have no idea what I was doing wrong but neither managed to find the start line at Brands, Goodwood, Castle Combe or Donington.

Did you seek support from Racelogic? They're very helpful on their forum - and I bet if you contacted them you could take the kit to their Buckingham HQ and they'd help you fix the problems.

I did ask on the forum, and I received a lengthy email from someone who was much. much more computer-literate than me. In fact he spoke a different language. I wilted in the end and did nothing. But it's a good suggestion, I think I'll try again.

[AshVX220]

Humour said:

spyderman8 said:

I think the most significant factor is removing any competitive element from the track day, even if its only against yourself.

Chris.

Touche! Couldn't agree more.

+1

I do trackdays purely for fun, I enjoy going as fast as I want, feeling the cars grip and handling. As it is fun, I try not to stress the car too much as it is, I don't brake as haard as possible and I always short-shift. Just by braking later and harder and changing at the red-line and using all gears properly (I only use 3rd-5th) I could probably give myself another 20 seconds plus at somewhere like Bedford. But for me, that's not the point. I'm just there to have fun and enjoy the car's abilities. I'm fully aware that I'm normally one of the slower guys out there, but I think I'm curtious and move over quickly and as soon as possible for the faster guys. Mainly for my safety, I love my car and don't want to do a single thing that will risk it, plus, I still have to get home somehow at the end of the day.

Timing at trackdays is just not good form, I'll check the video when I get home and see what time's I was getting, but I'm not trying to beat those times when I return to a track (done Bedford 4 times now and don't actullay know any of the lap times I did there), for me the timing on the video is just "out of interest", for me it's fun factor and trying to find the right line.

[NailedOn]

spyderman8 said:

I think the most significant factor is removing any competitive element from the track day, even if its only against yourself.

Chris.

I've followed this thread with interest. I was at a track day last month and two people were definitely timing themselves and each other. There were three 'offs' - all by these two.
One guy ask me why timing was a no no and I explained to him the risk of pushing the limits until there was an accident.
He could see that would apply to other people.
But not him as he was too good a driver.

It was his first track day.

So whenever he was on track from there on, I wasn't.

[Jim1556]

AshVX220 said:

+1

I do trackdays purely for fun, I enjoy going as fast as I want, feeling the cars grip and handling. As it is fun, I try not to stress the car too much as it is, I don't brake as haard as possible and I always short-shift. Just by braking later and harder and changing at the red-line and using all gears properly (I only use 3rd-5th) I could probably give myself another 20 seconds plus at somewhere like Bedford. But for me, that's not the point. I'm just there to have fun and enjoy the car's abilities. I'm fully aware that I'm normally one of the slower guys out there, but I think I'm curtious and move over quickly and as soon as possible for the faster guys. Mainly for my safety, I love my car and don't want to do a single thing that will risk it, plus, I still have to get home somehow at the end of the day.

Timing at trackdays is just not good form, I'll check the video when I get home and see what time's I was getting, but I'm not trying to beat those times when I return to a track (done Bedford 4 times now and don't actullay know any of the lap times I did there), for me the timing on the video is just "out of interest", for me it's fun factor and trying to find the right line.

+1

I use my GoPro to record the fun, the 'moments' and anything else that may happen like proof you were catching that E92 M3 when he should've been off in the distance...

Any times are garnered from reviewing the footage once home, which I'm usually only curious about. I don't class myself as amazing, but competent and polite enough to see others and move over if needed..

I haven't got the time or funds to be able to do more so my ability will stay more or less where it is.

I'm (sort of) happy with that until I win Euromillions...

[GarethGTR]

Hi

I do a lot of track days in my little Spire. Yes it is a race car, but I do not race it. Track days are so much fun
There is a full data logging system on the car and I review the lap times later. The issue for TDO's is LIVE timing. The danger being that you try and chase lap times.
All this does is build up frustration and I have seen it many times. The car in front does not see the fast car coming up and ruins the line for the chap chasing his lap timer...

So, even from someone trying to get up to race pace, I see and agree with the principal of no live timing. Most of us in faster cars with experience understand that the guy stuck in front is probably using 100% of his concentration on absorbing and dealing with what is in front of him and forgets at times to check what is behind him. Not great but understandable for someone without experience. The thing that hacks me off is the drivers that see you coming and think "I can keep with him" and try desperately to stay in front. Some distorted male ego thing must kick in ... Sadly I have seen this more times than I care to list. It is difficult not to get frustrated with these types.