We had a trying time for the first part of our first event using the new C7042 Powerbase and the new SSDC Version 5 race management software. We started off by cleaning up some wires and connectors under the track table that are no longer in use and laying out the support wiring and power supplies for the C7042. After this we had some difficulty getting the SSDC software to see the Powerbase, at one time losing the complete Windows operating system desktop and everything I'd done over the past few weeks in setting it up. I was eventually able to get it all back and the software finally began communicating with the Powerbase.
This new software has some very interesting features, including auto track calls (a great addition, triggered by any car de-slotting), pre-configuration of races and sessions of different types (GP, Endurance, Pursuit and Qualifying), individual throttle settings, refuelling, penalties, running multiple class series where points are automatically computed based on results and stored in the database across unlimited races and events, individual driver preferences, different tracks and the ability to have the leaderboard displayed on a separate larger screen. There's also some neat graphical race analysis data automically available on completion of each race. I've probably left some out, but you get the idea - lots of great new stuff. Using two power supplies instead of one, we now have more power, where whichever lane has fewer cars gets slightly more power, thus evening out both lanes. Its no longer a big disadvantage to be in the outer lane.
Of the many features I listed above, we have so far configured the software for auto track calls, pre-configuration of reusable "generic" races, specific identical throttle settings for all throttles (with dynamic braking turned off) and identical driver settings for six generic drivers. Although these choices will not track results and points over all our future races, they appear to be the most efficient way to get and keep racing going with minimal delays.
So coming to the racing, joining me were Steve, O'Brie, Peter and Keith. Because of what I mentioned in the first paragraph above, we got a really late start (after 5:00 PM) and ended up only qualifying and racing Clubman and Historic Saloon with just one race each. The races were a lot of fun with the new software and everyone had a ball, despite a couple of quirks in the results where one Clubman car had a race fastest lap time of 0.607 sec and one Historic Saloon car had a fastest qualifying time of 0.295 sec, the same car having a fastest race lap of 1.015 sec!
The results
Clubman grid: My NSU TT, Keith driving Steve's VW, Peter driving Steve's A40, Steve's BMW and O'Brie's Escort:
Historic Saloon grid: My Capri, Keith driving Steve's BMW, Steve's Escort Mk II, O'Brie's Capri and Peter driving another of Steve's Mk II Escorts:
NOTE: The computer had Steve (throttle 3) as finishing first (see computer screen result pic below), but we agreed that my Capri had led the whole race, so we finalised with me first and Steve second (although Keith may contest this!).
1.015 sec fastest race lap time in Historic Saloon for Steve:
Historic Saloon Race lap time variation by driver/throttle (pictured below). Race result place based on the picture above is at the bottom axis of the following graph, lap time graduations on the left axis. The narrower the coloured rectangle, the more consistent the lap times. The weird lap time above accounts for Steve (1st place according to the computer) having a broad coloured rectangle:
(How this is computed: https://www.frcforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=393)
Congratulations to the winners.
Next event's classes: To be announced.
Don't forget to see the updated overall fastest times and the fastest no-magnet times by driver and class to know what the benchmarks are for your cars. Older stats can be found in the Archive area of the forum.
See you on the circuit...
Gordon
