Note: There are newer versions since we wrote this review, that address some of our issues.
If you like to race slot cars, there is one item that is absolutely necessary to enjoy the experience prooperly. Track timing software. Not those things that came with the tracks, or you bought as an accessory. We are talking about professinal, computer based systems that are the real deal.
I've spent a lot of the last three years of my slot car life around Mike Block. He and Dan Luna stepped up a couple years ago to hold the Quad City Quarrel, when the Fray in Ferndale took a sabbatical. He was instrumental in getting nearly the entire country on one set of Fray rules. He is working in conjunction with Brad Bowman to design a top rated snap together routed track. Now, he has joined hands with Tom Hirsbrunner to produce a computer software package for your slot car racing needs. We might expect the best.
There are a lot of software packages out there. The interface is similar in all of them. What's different? It's that this package incorporates the complete package from all the other choices.
A few examples. Not all home/commercialsoftware, offers the ability to put a relay on each lane, so, in a commercial setting, the operator can set different time allotments for each lane, and when that runs out, the power is shut off on only that lane. The ability to recognize and run on quite a few of the hardware cables from other systems (i.e.TrakMate and Scalextric), and on USB, parallel, or serial ports. Full capability to set up and run Team races, like the Fray.
Note: It was possible for us to interchange between TrakMate and SlotTrak, though not running at the same time, using the single cable we got with the rakMate system.
Let's look at a few of the options, and the windows that allow input.
The first window you get when you launch the program allows for access to all the programs features, including race or warmup choices, and the usual file handling tasks.
In His Own Words
Note: We highly suggest that all users read through the manual before using the software.
The SlotTrak program functions as a lap counter and lap timer for any scale slotcar track. It will operate on any 1 to 8 lane track. In addition to simple counting and timing, it will run various types of races complete with lane rotations and optional power control to the track. The timing resolution is 1 millisecond. Results are saved, and can be recalled for viewing and race report generation. The parallel, serial, joystick port and now the TrakMate Windows hardware may be used for lane input. SlotTrak is also compatible with Scalextric's RMS hardware and Scalextric's Sport Digital System. The parallel port, serial port, or TMW hardware may be used for track calls. The parallel port, serial port, TMW hardware (track power) or phidget cards (individual lane or track power) may be used for power control. Runs on all versions of Windows from 95 up - including XP.
About The 2 Versions
SlotTrak Professional and SlotTrak Commercial are trialware and are available on the download page. Registration cost is $99.00, $149.00 for the "C" Version ("C" version includes Time Seller Software for Commercial Locations). Registration is explained in the Help - Register menu option in the program. Installation help is included with the software package. Troubleshooting and online support is forthcoming.
Pricing for the "Phidget Board", which is the hardware our software uses, can be found on our Hardware Page. Also on this page are pictures that will help you install the Phidget Board.
Please contact us if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions. And remember to check back here for updates. Enjoy the software.
The first choice in the "Session" menu is "Practice". This not only gives all the pertinent information that one needs such as last lap, and fast lap, for each lane, but it gives a running list of all your laps. You also get to toggle to a standard view that eliminates the list.
Next choice is for "Qualifying". Simple design, easy to set up, and a rather convenient, and clever idea.
Let's say you have a tie, and want to run a "Raceoff"? SlotTrak has that feature too, and it is wildly easy to arrange, with a simple window to select driver (from a master list) and lane choice (also from a drop down menu). Keep in mind that this is a two man, two heat race, with drivers switching lanes between heats.
Now, it's time to arrange a the real race. Your choices are simple. Lap count or timed race. number of laps or time. Set the points race format. Add the racers. Make a few other options, and away you go. Then, you can choose to run in one group, or as many groups as you want. Say you have 14 drivers on 6 lanes, and you wish to run in two heats. The software splits it up into two rounds of 7 drivers automatically.
If your option is a "Team Race", there is no better interface. Preset the teams in a setup window, and then they are available forever in a drop down menu, with ease of position change.
The Actual race screen is better in one regard than all others I have seen, and that is that orange and red are differentiated better than any other. All the right buttons are there, including some toggling options to change "Best Lap" to "Lag Time" (and others). The power switch "Pre-race Warmup" allows for power to the track if needed, without counting laps or time. At any time you can go to the Setup screen, too. There is also a very nice and visible countdown light, with sound.
The data sheet keeps a visible running total, and can be printed. One thing for certain, this program loves to print things. We just turned off the printer till we really wanted something printed.
This is a very complete package with few changes required. We suggest these:
1. Better print option menus that are more clearly descriptive.
2. Anywhere that a racers name can be inserted, do it with a drop down menu of the entire master list, so that changes can be made easily, and still keep the ability to enter a group of names randomly.
3. Have a default set of sounds already in place, and not requiring a find, selection, and verification to work.
4. Do not default every time the applicatio is restarted. Leave the old data in place. For the local racers who get this, the field is generally duplicated each race, with only minor changes.
Hard to find a more complete system at any price, and SlotTrak fits that need nicely, and at a reasonable price.
| Review - SlotTrak Timing/Counting Software |
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The Dash session performs a lap counted race (as opposed to a timed race) where each driver runs in a defined lane for the entire race. The amount of Dash laps is specified in setup. The first driver to reach the defined number of laps is the winner. If Individual Lane Power is enabled, the power for each lane is turned OFF when the car in that lane completes the current lap it is on when the winner is decided. If Individual lane power is not enabled, the lap count will stop counting when the car completes the lap it is on when the winner is decided and track power is left ON until all cars finish. A ‘Terminate Segment’ button will appear to allow the operator to manually end the dash in case a car has malfunctioned and will not finish.
Dash Setup
1. Dash description and car classes are again optional.
2. Define the total number of dash laps.
3. Minimum lap time is initially set at the default value in settings. Choosing a car class may change this value.
Otherwise, a new value can be typed in the input box.
4. Coast time is initially set at the default value in settings. Choosing a car class may change this value.
Otherwise, a new value can be typed in the input box.
5. Driver selection is completed in the same manner as race setup. Refer to race setup for a description of driver
selection. The maximum number of drivers in a dash is equal to the number of lanes on the track.
The latest update, version 736, has some knew features that are discussed below, along with intended updates for later versions.
Whats different!
fixed a few nagging bugs, mostly in reporting
cleaned up some code
modified/clarified some tooltip descriptions
Corrected settings issue when 7 or 8 lanes were chosen and individual
lane control enabled
Added total time extension display option. Useable when race to line
or race to finish option is chosen
You can also now display total time extension by double clicking the
time extention option on the race summary screen
Added the new enable/disable points box in race setup (it will default
to whatever is set in the settings panels)
Points can now be awarded for each segment OR for just final race
results
Near future featurettes: (next release after 7.36)
Will be able to hold team competitions based on timed events as well
as counted (laps) events.
Will be able to award points for each segments AND final race results
for a combined points total
Will be able to use webcam as lap counting system.
Will have seperate sections for setting up your own personal points
system so you can define
points for segment placings, race finishes, laps led.
Far future featurette:
Will be able to qualify directly into one of four bracket systems
(1) HOPRA
(2) UFORHA
(3) USRA
(4) Quarrel
This will allow you to use a fastest lap qualifying type session and
it will auto place drivers
into the appropriate bracket location based on qualifying position.
