Drag Race Central closing???

[Larry Sullivan]

Originally Posted by RacingRicki

I find it sad that it is such a manual process in the information age that we live in. In this day with so much technology and a computerized timing system, why would someone need to be at the track entering in all the information from the logs. Perhaps some tracks don't have CompuLink but those that do should be able to provide an export of the qualifying and eliminations files at the very least.

There is a magical way to get instant data. It's called Live Timing. Yes it costs a lot but that's because NHRA is probably getting a cut.

BTW, thanks to Summit for providing the data all these years with relatively no cost to me.

a. Unless the track does not have CompuLink, we do not manually enter data from logs. The "notes" reports are posted within minutes of the last pair for each round and the numbers in those reports come directly from the timing computer, on a data feed that 1320go and NHRA's Live Timing have started using in the past couple years. We have been using that data feed since the last century. We also automatically capture data from some other timing systems, but that hookup is more difficult to achieve without screwing up the timing system and it's on a track-by-track basis.

b. Live timing is great, but it's not filtered and often doesn't even show what category is running, let alone whether or not a particular run is valid or was disqualified for some reason. That's why we need reporters at the track - to do the most accurate job. That's why we do not post qualifying results until we get the official qualifying sheet, even though we have the raw numbers well before the sheets are distributed.

c. We have the capability to get end-of-day files from CompuLink systems and produce accurate reports from those files. However, unless somebody tells us what happened, we can't tell you much other than the numbers. Those numbers are more accurate than live timing because they come from the edited and validated times, not the raw runs. Bear in mind, no matter what system you use, without human eyeballs
reviewing the reports, there's a strong GIGO effect.

[Larry Sullivan]

Originally Posted by Chris Williams

Live Timing has nothing to do with NHRA or the CompuLink timing system. It is a completely separate deal.

Not quite. There are at least two "live timing" sources out there - 1320go and NHRA's Live Timing. NHRA's Live Timing comes from the CompuLink timing system data feed, the same feed that goes to the TV production truck at national events. 1320go also uses that same data feed at CompuLink tracks. In addition, 1320go taps into the timeslip printer feed at non-CompuLink tracks. The data available in that latter case is limited to whatever appears on the track's timeslips.

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Larry,

How difficult is it to show the actual qualifiing session results rather than the "Official" list? Don't need all the text like for the Pro cars but it is interesting to see a car ran .001 slower for two sessions or .3 slower when the official postion time remains the same.

Thanks

[Larry Sullivan]

It's possible, but it would be a very long report and we wouldn't be able to validate the numbers. The timing system is pretty good and the clock operators are pretty good, but you'd be surprised at how often the raw numbers are bogus.

[Just A Fan]

Originally Posted by Larry Sullivan

We are currently seeking additional sponsorship to have reporters at each Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event.

I'd be all for paying a subscription if that would allow LODRS live reporting to continue.

Having said that, if given enough interest and support, and DRC were to present a goal amount of what they need, would a crowd sourced sponsorship through a site like Fund Anything, be an option? That, or perhaps a PayPal type donation program to meet the required cost?

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Just A Fan

I'd be all for paying a subscription if that would allow LODRS live reporting to continue.

Having said that, if given enough interest and support, and DRC were to present a goal amount of what they need, would a crowd sourced sponsorship through a site like Fund Anything, be an option? That, or perhaps a PayPal type donation program to meet the required cost?

Just for a very low ballpark, you could probably figure on a minimum of $1,500 per event * 44 events = $66,000, not counting server expenses and a whooole lot more. For every $500/event my lowball guestimate is off, add another $22,000....

...Larry Sullivan: priceless. (But you dare PM me what it would actually cost to book you for the Auto Meter Northern Class Nationals. Might have a side project for you if you're interested as well.)

[thomas sheehan]

Larry Sullivan: ... Thanks for all you do.
Michael... you are correct.... this can't be cheap to do (let alone finding good reliable help to be there for three and four day weekends).

Larry.... thanks again

ps... anyone remember the Compuserve days?.... lol

[RacingRicki]

Thanks Larry for cluing us in to how you go about reporting the data. I knew about the various data feeds and wondered if you utilized them to get the data as opposed to manually recording runs.

Sounds like it is necessary to have someone at each race and helps me understand the costs involved.

[jwsamuel]

Originally Posted by thomas sheehan

ps... anyone remember the Compuserve days?.... lol

That's where most, if not all of us, at DRC got started in this.

Jim

[jwsamuel]

Originally Posted by thomas sheehan

Michael... you are correct.... this can't be cheap to do (let alone finding good reliable help to be there for three and four day weekends).

DRC has been a stable group. Last year was my 13th season and I am the new guy!

Jim