Conference oass::racers

    As some of you know, our timing light was pulverized during the
    GT1-GT2-GT3 race at LRP last weekend.  The light was just a halogen
    spotlight (fortunately, the receiver was on the pit side and remains
    intact), and easily replaceable.  However, it was on a small, cheap,
    aluminum tripod.  Does anyone know where I can find such a tripod?
    I've looked in photography magazines, but those are much too expensive
    to risk on the track.
    
    Jo-Ann

>    As some of you know, our timing light was pulverized during the
>    GT1-GT2-GT3 race at LRP last weekend.

Did the blue camaro that went bouncing down the guardrail do that???

You could probably try K-Mart. They should have them in their camera
departments.

    Yes, it was the blue Camaro.  He should get a T&S Oh Sh*t award.

    Check out the yard sales coming up. Tripods should be around. A spare
    or two won't hurt.
    
    Jo-Ann, are you starting your own O.S. list? Or do you want to add it
    to mine????  :-)
    
    jim e
    

    I'm not sure yet, Jim.  Probably a little of both.  
    
    The difficulty with the tripod is its size.  My maximum height for the
    timing light is 18 inches.  Most tripods are bigger than that before
    you open them up.

   It may not be the most elegant solution, but have you considered stopping
   by a mobile home or RecV center and picking up a "leveling jack?"  O.K., they
   aren't a tripod per se, they are made of pot metal, but they are cheap and
   easily obtained.  We used this type solution for several years with our
   home-built timer.  Currently, we are using a timer from some shop in Atlanta
   that was really expensive, but the tripod seems to be a simple, small tripod
   that you can pick up at some photography and hunting stores.  I've seen this
   type tripod used for range finders at shooting events and by some photogs
   for a quick set-up and take-down.  I've also seen them in some of the
   Airline gift catalogues on some planes.  You might also try the sporting 
   goods department at (cringe) K-Mart.  As an emergency solution, have you
   thought of sacrificing a pylon?  Drill a hole in it at the right level, 
   weight the base and hope for the best.  I've tried most of these in over
   16 years dealing with different timers, and each has had a measure of
   success, even if it only worked once, it got me through.

Bob Blunt
Huntsville, AL (really Iuka, MS)

    Try a table-top tripod, readily available in photo shops for pretty low
    prices, also K-Mart.  These are about $10.
    
    	-Barry_also_TVR_and_TAC_member_1966-1969_when_I_lived_in_H'ville-
    

    REI's Ultrapod II is 7 1/8" high and $13.50.
    
    jim e

    how about a cheap jackstand?  The kind made out of stamped sheet might
    be suitable.
    
    In general I've got to wonder about the safety aspect, things like the
    RV leveling jacks or even a tripod or jackstand could be hazardous
    under certain circumstances.  I'd tend to favor the idea of sacrificing
    a pylon as the best choice, it seems the base could be designed to
    minimize the hazard if any more cars decide to get up close and
    personal with it...

    Given the fact that at NHIS the timing light is on an incline and has
    to be aimed at the sensor, a pylon may not be adequate. I believe we
    need the swivel section of the tripod as well. 
    
    As far as the jackstand, how many Formula cars would like to hit that
    sitting on the track at station 12??? Yeah, I _know_ the driver isn't
    suppose to be up there, but.....
    
    Besides, given the amount of "stuff" that T&S has to bring to the
    track, a small folding tripod sounds right.   :-)
    
    jim e
    
    

    These are all good suggestions...thanks.
    
    I understand LRP will be putting timing light "holes" in the armco
    (cart before the horse...etc), so we can be more creative with the
    setup there.
    
    As Jim mentioned, NHIS is a difficult case.  Because of the incline we
    need to have the light almost on the ground...and a LRP we've got to
    have it 18" high to account for the track swell at S/F.  
    
    I'm trying to set up a demo of an infrared light at NHIS for Memorial
    Day weekend...and also again push for an embedded antenna in the track
    at the timing line and transducers in all cars -- sure would make my 
    life easier.
    
    

.11>    I'm trying to set up a demo of an infrared light at NHIS for Memorial
.11>    Day weekend...and also again push for an embedded antenna in the track
.11>    at the timing line and transducers in all cars -- sure would make my 
.11>    life easier.
    
    What's the advantage of the IR light over the present setup?
    
    Got a supplier in mind and a total capital cost figure for the embedded
    antenna and transducers?  There is a Digital business partner with an
    existing installation (at Monza) of just such an application, a few
    months ago I was attempting to negotiate an agreement with them and
    Digital to rep the product here in the US but it never came to fruition
    (yet!).  If this would be possible I would be interested in following
    up on it.  Be aware, it is a truely high-end package, but NHIS is going
    first class on everything else, perhaps they would be interested.
    
    If that doesn't fly, I've got an alternative scheme that should be
    significantly less expensive.  I'd be happy to develop it if somebody
    can fund it.  I'd expect the resulting system would be marketable, at a
    reasonably competitive price point.

    .12>   What's the advantage of the IR light over the present setup?
    
    There are two major advantages:
    
    	1.  The present setup (halogen spotlight and receiver) puts
    	    the hardware at risk.   Because of the slope on the turn
    	    one or the other (spot or receiver) must be on the track.
    	    I set up the spot on the track, since it's a $15.00 item.
    
    	    An IR light has a receiver and a reflector.  The reflector
    	    would be on the track.  Stick-on reflectors cost a couple of
    	    dollars, a tripod would not be necessary, we could stick it
    	    on anything ... cheaper, safer, more flexible.
    
    	2.  Angle of the sun and reflection problems.  Late in the day
    	    at NHIS the lower sun plays games with the receiver, causing
    	    extra hits.  We must be alert to this and change the
    	    sensitivity of the timing computer to compensate.  It's an
    	    annoyance that would go away with an IR light setup.
    
    .12>  Got a supplier in mind and a total capital cost figure for the
    	  embedded antenna and transducers?
    
    Yes, we do.  I believe a system was investigated when NHIS was Bryar. 
    I met with another company this past winter in Baltimore.  The track
    is aware of what's out there for systems.  However, whatever happens
    at NHIS pretty much depends on what NASCAR is going to do.  In my last
    conversation with Ted, I found out that the track is setting up a ton
    of computers, modems, comm. equipment that NASCAR needs for their
    operation...a distinct advantage for us.
    
    So, I wouldn't be too surprised if an embedded antenna system showed up
    someday.  
    
    Jo-Ann