Smart ways of measuring lap times, when you aint got a lap counter?
 

Our club is saving up for a lap counter system. And I aint got access to a personal lap counter. For races, we borrow a lap counter.

During practise sessions, we use a stop watch and a helper for counting.

Now, is there any smart ways of doing it, if I practise alone?

Cole,

If you can get away without a lap counter, that would be a SMART way to count laps.

Believe me, if you want to improve your driving and setup choices based on how fast you are getting (or slow) a lap counter is a top item on any list.

Looks can be deceiving and the only way to be sure is to have some sort of a system to count your laps.

At my track, 5 or 6 guys use the Orion Lap Counter. It does the job wonderfully. Now it's price is even lower and that might be a good reason for the purchase.

You wont regret it.

heres an idea, you'll need a dictaphone(voice recorder) and you might feel a little silly.
before you start practicing press record, yell 1 as you start your first lap, yell 2 as you start you second lap and so forth.
after practice you can play it back timing each lap with your stop watch, or even record it on to your computer and use a wave editor(sound editor) to get more accurate times.
what do you think?

there is a jr xs3 radio that has a lap counter built in and it counts up to 50 laps. i think the reciver acts as a transponder.and it is also a crystaless radio system.

Well, I think AntionioP got the point. Gotta check some prices....

The Graupner XS6 Synthesizer (you can use all frequencies, without crystals) radio has a build-in stopwatch.
each time your car passes, you press a button with your thumb.
later you can see your laptimes , from each lap separately.
I suppose some other radio's have this option also.
But the best way indeed is to buy the Orion lap counter.

Have just checked the price of the Orion Lap Counter... Ouch ! Gonna see if I can find a used one.

you asked for a smart way to time yourself WITHOUT a laptimer.
your welcome btw

Cole, we just bought the AMB r/c system so I never use my LCS anymore. It has a new battery and looks like new. PM or email of you're interested.

Use a watch and time yourself to complete 5, 10 or however many laps. Then divide the total time by the number of laps to get your average lap time. While it won't tell you your fastest lap, it will give you a better indication of how fast you are over a period of time...which is basically what racing is all about. Doing 1 12 sec lap means nothing if every other lap is 15...just an example.

Rod_B, this sounds usefull. Maybe I'll give it a try.

BigDogRacing: Sounds interesting, but there's a very long way from Memphis to Denmark. I like to see and try things before I buy..... But thanks for the suggestion anyway.

Your're definately right, but reason for asking is to get input I can use for some kind of decision. And actually, I didnt expected all those creative input, which I'm glad to see.

In other words, I'm just considering different solutions.

thats cool, i was just trying to come up with an idea for u to use with out a laptimer and without an assitant. i know it was a pretty cheesy idea but hey! i think it would work.

i've also got a personal lap timer if anyone is interested. i like it tons, be like big dog, we use jlap every time at the track, and i've got a personal transponder, so i can't imagine when i'll use this orion unit again. actually, it's the hakarunjer version that orion just buys.

email or post if you don't work something out with bid dog.

one onethousand, two onethousand, three onethousand :lol: :p