In the NW we use 'MyLaps' timing system. They are spendy but work great. Each transponder is about $325 and the system is about $10,000. We talked to them and got discounts to about $5000 for the system and $275 per transponder. I had to buy 21 transponders for my school as I sometimes have 20 cars and each team bought one for the NW EA organization so we have some to rent at races for those that do not have them.

Hi Matt,

I believe the system that Electrathon of Tampa Bay is using is from www.rclapcounter.com. I think the complete system came with 35 transponders for $2,500. The sensor unit needs to be mounted across and above the track. Tampa Bay has an impressive overhead bridge but, I suspect, a cheaper lighter solution is possible (maybe a giant aluminum sawhorse design).

The system seems to work well. The transponders need to be pointed up and see the underside of the bridge as they go under. At the beginning, the transponders were issued with a 9 volt battery but eventually everyone powered the transponder with 12 volts. The transponder on the Super Coupe is mounted under the tinted canopy and reads fine.

The software gives detailed lap times. Tampa Bay has a display set up so people can see each car's lap count and last lap time.

We looked at that one and if I remember right there was not much span on the 'overhead bridge' and since we sometimes have as many as 50-60 cars on the track at a time (at Portland International Raceway) in parking lot races we often have around 35 cars. so we wanted to have at least a 25 to 30 foot wide grid to go through. But the price was great for this one!!!! Ours also has great information that can be obtained about the laps, average speed etc. to great detail. But the cost was much higher.

The I-lap system requires multiple sensors to cover wide tracks. each sensor covers 14 inches and cost $40. They are designed so that you can connect them. The Tampa bay sensor bridge is 24 feet wide (so $840 for 21 sensors) which allows multiple cars to pass through together. (Three wide easy and I think we have done 4 wide). I do not know of any limit if wider is needed.

We use the Mylaps system with the Electric Imp running with Sports Car Club of America. They have an excellent web site and good access to timing system data but the transponders are expensive.

How does their system sense? Do you need to put a strip across the track or just something beside the track?

Ours in across the track. We just duct tape the pickup strip to the pavement and so far it has stuck fine. We are very picky about the 2" ground clearance rule and any car that starts to drag is black flagged until they can fix the problem. We used a Jerry rigged system for years that had loops of wires spread out on the track to form long rectangles to pick up the cars as they went by and these were taped as well. We only had it partially torn up a few times over the 5 years. Since this system is more compact and just in a straight line across the track we have not even come close to losing it over the season and a half we have used it. I do agree that the transponders are very expensive and hard to afford on school budgets. I got a grant to buy mine since I had to by 21 and spent over $6,000.