What timing program does Solo 1 use?

[Civic13]

As you may know, I am the president of Solo 1 in Quebec. This year, we must update our timing program. I would like to know what you guys use in Ontario and if it is suitable to our application (which it surely is), whether we could buy a copy of your program. Our old program is really old and runs out of DOS! We can't even use a bubble jet printer with it, so it's time to upgrade. We now have an older Pentium laptop and we use a photo cell. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Vincent Basile
President, LAPS Solo 1 Quebec

[alexb]

Vincent,
Our timeing system(to the best of my Knowledge)was created by Victor Del Col.I do not think he posts on this board.However some of the people who worked timeing last year will surley be able to help you out.
Also, i would like to take a trip to LaBelle Province to have some fun with the LAPS people.A double weekend(ie. Saturday&Sunday)would be what i am looking for.If you have any dates fullfiling that parameter i am there.
I have been to a weekend at St. Eustache a few years back and had a blast.
Besides i do need a new LAPS t-shirt;)
Looking forward to seeing you on track!
Alex Byrne.

[Dave]

Al is correct, the timing software was custom built by our Chief Timer for the Solo 1 series, Victor DelCol. I'm sure he wouldn't mind chatting with you about it via e-mail. You can reach him at yegr07@email.mot.com

I'm not sure if the program is DOS-based or Windows-based, but I suspect it runs in DOS so that it can be used on an older laptop.
Anyway, Victor can answer any questions you may have about the timing software.

Vincent, are your events on September 28/29 at St. Croix running on the combined tracks, shown in blue and red on the map of the track on the LAPS website? Looks like a fun track and since the Ontario Solo 1 season ends on the 15th I think perhaps a trip out to St. Croix would be a lot of fun! Where is this track located? Near Montreal? I was at St. Eustache with Al and some of the other Ontario guys back in 1999 and then at Blainville in 2000. Had a blast at both tracks. LAPS runs excellent events, for sure.

Cheers,
Dave

[Civic13]

Thanks for the info on the timing program, I will contact the Ontario specialist to see if he can help us out.

As for our own events, the only double event we hold is the one on September 28-29. The track is Ste-Croix. It's about 200 km east of Montreal, a half hour before Quebec City. I know it might seem far to you guys, but it's a fun event. The track configuration is the red one (which is what you see clearly in the photo). The blue one is a run down section that has not been used in years (maybe decades). The red configuration is fun though. It was used by the Speedvision World Challenge in 2000. It's basically most of the oval, chicane, hairpin, chicane. The track is fast and really safe (nothing around to hit) and it's RIGHT on the St-Lawrence Seaway in a beutiful area. Also, you won't be the only ones at the motel, since we from Montreal all stay in the 2 motels near the track. If you guys are interested in coming, I'll give you the name of the motel where we (the Executive) will be staying and then we can hang out together. I remember last year, I found out at 8:30 Friday night that one of my race tires had a leaking valve, and the townsfolk directed me to a garage that was still open ad changed it for 2$! It was our first time at that track in 2001 and we had alot of fun.

Vince

[ADAM]

we should buy a transponder system...we could get one for about 15k cdn( a 1 time outlay of maybe $300 per person 1 tire :) )..and make each entrant buy his or her own transponder...cause if you have ever worked the timing booth..if victor ever leaves solo 1 we are screwed,....cause its is very complicated when people start going off the track when they are not supposed too..

[alexb]

Yeah Adam,
I like that idea.However it shuts out a lot of new people from coming on board.Who just starting out wants to pay out that type of money to get a time posted.As a matter of fact a lot of seasoned people would tell you to get the size of your Turbo checked.:)