Timing Locations

Timing Locations define where times are captured and how reads from those locations are processed.

Understanding Timing Locations

A Timing Location represents a physical point in the race:

  • Start - Where participants begin

  • Finish - Where participants complete the race

  • Split - Intermediate timing points

Each location has specific rules for how reads are processed.

Creating Timing Locations

  1. Navigate to Timing Locations in RaceDay Scoring

  2. Click "Add Timing Location"

  3. Configure the location type and settings

Location Types

Start Location

Configuration for start timing:

  • Type: Start Only

  • Read Selection: Last seen read (participants may mill around before starting)

  • Start Collection Time: When to begin collecting start reads

Finish Location

Configuration for finish timing:

  • Type: Finish/Intermediate Split

  • Read Selection: First seen read

  • Max Occurrences: Usually 1 (unless lap race)

Combined Start/Finish

For point-to-point races using the same timing line:

  • Type: Common Start & Finish

  • Time Buffer: Minimum time between start and finish reads

Split Location

For intermediate timing points:

  • Type: Finish/Intermediate Split

  • Read Selection: First seen read

  • Applies To: All participants or specific categories

Assigning Streams to Locations

Each Timing Location needs at least one stream assigned:

Main Stream

  • Primary source of timing data

  • Usually your chip timing system

  • Assigned as "Main Stream"

Backup Stream

  • Secondary source (e.g., manual timing)

  • Only used if no main stream read exists

  • Assigned as "Backup Stream"

Backup Streams will only pass reads through if there is no read that already exists for a bib or chip on the same Timing Location.

Configuration Example

For a standard running race:

Location Type Stream Read Selection

Start

Start Only

Start-192.168.1.101

Last seen

Finish

Finish

Finish-192.168.1.102

First seen

For a cycling race with splits:

Location Type Stream Read Selection

Start

Start Only

Start-192.168.1.101

Last seen

Lap 1 Split

Intermediate Split

Split1-192.168.1.103

First seen

Finish

Finish

Finish-192.168.1.102

First seen

Filtering Options

Bib Range

Limit which participants are recorded at a location:

  • Useful for races with multiple courses sharing timing points

  • Filter by bib number range

Time Range

Limit when reads are accepted:

  • Ignore reads before race start

  • Ignore reads after course closure

Multi-Lap Configuration

For criteriums, circuit races, or lap events:

  • Set Max Occurrences to number of laps

  • Configure Gap Factor to filter duplicate reads

  • Consider read selection carefully

Testing Timing Locations

After configuration:

  1. Start collecting reads on all streams

  2. Pass test chip through each timing line

  3. Verify reads appear at correct locations

  4. Check time processing matches expectations

Next Step

Proceed to Scored Events to configure events and scoring.