Speed timing at Bonneville

[petercalaguiro]

How exactly are the speeds calculated at Bonneville, both long and short courses? Is it an average over a mile or a certain number of feet?
Thanks,
Peter

[Glen]

Timing is done over each mile on all courses. The ET is divided into 3600 and gives the MPHOn the long courses the last 132 feet are timed for exit speeds and cannot be used for records. the 2-1/4 trap is a qualifier to run the long course. The vehicle must run 175 mph in this timing trap.

[petercalaguiro]

Ok, I have a mental block in that I still do not understand HOW the timing is done. I know where the timing is done and I understand exit speeds, but how is the timing done at the various intervals? I don't understand how dividing the ET (elapsed time?) by 3600 will compute to a speed. Please explain fully.
Thanks,
Peter

[Trouble]

OK, you start tripping beams at Mile 1, which starts a clock.  When you hit mile two, it takes the new time, subtracts the old, then divides by 60 and 60 to get average MPH through that segment.
This happens at every mile, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5.  Or for the short course, 1-2, 2-3.

To set a record, you must exceed the average speed in the record book in any 1 mile segment.

The next day, you must average your 1-2, 2-3, (3-4), (4-5) from both runs.

Say you go 150, 155 on the two segments of the short course.
The next day, you run 160, and 170 on the same segments.

The average of the Mile 1 is 155mph.  The average for the mile 2 is 162.5.  Your official record becomes 162.5, not 170 or 160.

Clear as mud?

[Trouble]

I did 174 on mile one, the 174 on mile 2 the next day.  The record ended up as 163.  Why?  Lower speeds on mile 2 on the first day, and lower speeds on mile one the second day.

[Glen]

Records are the average of the fastest mile. You cannot use two different miles.

[petercalaguiro]

Ok, thanks. This explanation now makes sense.
Peter

[ol38y]

Since this is kinda on topic for those who did not hear. Glen recieved an email today telling him his services at Bville were no longer needed! They're going with a new DJ type color guy to be the voice of Bonneville. I see no mention of this action in either the Aug. or Sept. SCTA Board meeting. So, who made this decision and under what authority? I know I want to know!

[RichFox]

I find that very hard to believe.

[ol38y]

I find that very hard to believe.

Believe it. I was going to paste a post from Glen's FB page but decided better. I heard it from him. Not a rumor.

[Peter Jack]

Check http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,11804.0.html to get it straight from Glen.

Pete

[Tman]

Glen posted it yesterday

http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,11804.0.html

PJ got me by less than 30 seconds!!!!!!!!!!

[Peter Jack]

Life's a race Trent!!!!! 

Pete

[Dean Los Angeles]

OK, you start tripping beams at Mile 1, which starts a clock. 

Long before that can happen the beams have to be in place. There is an infrared light source a hundred feet or more away from the receiver.
For the system to work the invisible light has to be centered on the receiver. Time consuming to place the lights correctly. Everything has to be tested and that involves troubleshooting too.

Of course that's after the course is dragged and surveyed to find the correct position.

For each mile. For each course.

And nothing works unless it's wired to the timing trailer.
Read this:
http://www.scta-bni.org/volunteers.html

38 miles of wire. Ain't volunteers grand?

[Trouble]

Bring hearing protection, winding the reels is really loud.  Need brass bearing adapters or something.  The spools are square open, the axles are round.