[Superstarsi]

Hello all.

I'm looking to build a 6 lane basic oval style speed circuit using classic scalextric track.

Just wondered if there's any way of having a lap counter or timing type system for all 6 lanes?

If so how would this work??

I'm very much a novice here, so basics please and no irritating abbreviations I don't understand!!

 

[stoooo]

Scalextric's own RMS pieces support up to six lanes. You need one base unit, and two multi-lane pieces. The software that comes with it is pretty grim, but it works with Yascart and UR30. Requires a PC/laptop with a serial port. A USB/serial port adapter may work, but I've never tried it so I can't personally recommend it.

Example of the primary unit - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCALEXTRIC-RACE-...=item27c775659c

Ultimate Racer Software - http://www.uracerweb.org/

I use these pieces with Yascart for my 4-lane Classic track. You can see them on the left hand side of the layout...


DSCF7333 by stoooo, on Flickr

 

[Superstarsi]

Cool. The extension pieces seem to be very hard to come by. Or very expensive!!

Would the scalextric RMS or other software downloads be suitable/ customisable for horse racing too? Or is it all very car-based?

I.e. Could I upload photos of the horses instead of cars/ get rid of any car noises and the 5 red lights at the start, etc?

 

[Superstarsi]

Anyone?

 

[RichD]

You might take a look at TrakMate. It does not support video files, but you can change the audio files to ones that would be relevant to horse racing. Instead of displaying driver's names you would use the names of horses of course. To make your life easier you can install two different versions of the Trakmate software and customize one of those for horse racing, otherwise every time you switched from horse to car racing you would have to go into the setup and edit the sound files.

 

[Superstarsi]

Thanks Rich.

I bought the scalextric RMS system today and looks good on my PC- but it always seems to say 'driver' rather than jockey! So I'll look into your suggestion.

One problem I do have is the wire supplied with it is female to female connection. But the post on my laptop is also female. Would a male to male connector to bring the gap work does anyone know? Or do I need a different wire to connect PC to the track?

 

[stoooo]

QUOTE (Superstarsi @ 5 Jun 2012, 22:00) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>But the post on my laptop is also female.
Then you aren't looking at your serial port. Serial ports on modern PCs tend to be green, and have two rows of pins. You may be looking at the VGA or parallel port (blue and pink respectively) which are female sockets.

 

[Superstarsi]

Yea was looking at the VGA input. Guess my lappy doesn't have a serial port?

Does this mean I'm buggered??

 

[stoooo]

Most modern laptops don't have a serial port. There are such things as USB/Serial ports, which aren't terribly expensive. For example... http://www.dabs.com/products/startech-com-...pter&src=16

This kind of timing system doesn't require a lot of processing power. My laptop of choice is an old Dell D600 running Windows XP which has been a stalwart workhorse. I believe it is one of the last Dell laptops to come with an onboard serial port. Once the D6xx series went away, I think the only choice in new laptops with serial ports were a few from Lenovo. If you don't fancy trying the cable, some of these older machines can be picked up quite cheaply on Ebay. While you wouldn't want to use them for your daily workload any more, as a dedicated timing computer, it's a solid choice.

 

[RichD]

When I got Trackmate to use with my laptop I also ordered the serial to USB adapter that they sell and it works perfectly. I did have to install a driver.

 

[Superstarsi]

What's Trackmate?

Any links? Is it different to scaley RMS? I'm struggling to find x2 RMS extension pieces!