[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

 

[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.

 

[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.