Software to work with DS-200 Lap Timing System

[grenade101]

As I am getting my track set up and sorted out, I have Scalextric Sport Track 2 Lane with borders set up on a 12'-6" x 5'-0" table.  I have set up the light bridge and the DS-200 system for working on my cars and playing with friends and grandkids.  But I am thinking that I may want to look at having a race at my location in Fort Collins at some point.  The only piece that I would need would be race program that can work with the DS system.  

I know there was much talk about Trackmate software in my drive down to and at the last race, but that seems to work with their equipment.  Is there an option that works and makes sense with what I have? 

Thanks
Mark W.

[chris]

Hi Mark,
David Asbury and I both have DS Racing timing and scoring on our tracks. The timing box can be programed to race for 3 minutes and it will keep track of the laps and fast time.
I use an excel spreadsheet to keep track of the laps, and I think David keeps track of the laps on paper and then adds it up after all of the races are complete.


I know that there is software program that works with the DS Racing system however I'm not familiar with it. 132 Slot Cars is a DS Racing supplier and may have a solution for you if you want to go in that direction.


If you want to look at my spreadsheet I would be glad to show it to you, one of my friends from Rocky Montain Slot Car Club helped me with the spreadsheet, it's set up to self populate, the laps are entered and the spreadsheet automatically totals the laps and puts the racers into the position/placement so you don't need to manually add or sum the laps. It's still a work in progress but it works fairly well.
Chris

[grenade101]

Chris,

I have the system working very well at this point. I am running it for 5 min currently to get myself and the cars dialed in. I did purchase the system from Alan at 132 Slot Cars, saw a note about software and reached out but have not heard anything back at this point. I work with spread sheets all day, so pretty easy to make that work, and then put it up on a white marker board.

[grenade101]

Chris,

I have the system working very well at this point. I am running it for 5 min currently to get myself and the cars dialed in. I did purchase the system from Alan at 132 Slot Cars, saw a note about software and reached out but have not heard anything back at this point. I work with spread sheets all day, so pretty easy to make that work, and then put it up on a white marker board.

[Jim Weickum]

Mark,

I don't know if you have the "stop and go" control box. It would be used to start and stop a race. I don't think you would need any software to control the DS system for racing when you have the stop and go control box. There are a few software packages that use the DS system. One being PC Lap Counter software. This software is about $65 from Professor Motor. They sell it, to go along with their own lap counter interface. I think this is also what 132slotcar uses with the DS Lap counter for software.

I had a 4-lane Carrera track that had the DS Lap counter and timing bridge. To convert my track to "racing", I would have had to buy two "stop and go" control boxes. So, I did buy a Trackmate system instead of up grading the DS Lap counter. I keep both systems connected on the 4-lane track. I always had the DS as a backup when we were racing. When the Grandkids would use the track, The DS lap counter came on with power, so they also had a lap counter and timer without the computer running. With a 4-lane track the DS system can get a little expensive since you have to buy the parts for the second set of lanes also.

With the Trackmate lap counter system, you will get the interface and cable to connect to a computer and the timing bridge, as well as receiving the software to operate the interface. I was able to get the complete Trackmate system for the 4-lane track, for what it would have cost me to get the two "stop and go" control boxes. I would have had to also buy the PC Lap Counter software. Since I have another track with the Trackmate system already, I went that way.

Jim W

[grenade101]

Jim,
Thanks for the info. I do have the start box and will either do old school and use a white board, then move to a spread sheet. I agree with David in that the DS System seems pretty bulletproof so far. Has really helped me dial in cars and help my driving.

Mark W