Update: BAR CODE SYSTEM DISCONTINUED

[earl998]

My number is 998.....I thought i was a member of the club. Will i be getting a new number?

[echan]

My number is 998.....I thought i was a member of the club. Will i be getting a new number?

I should correct myself. Non-members get numbers starting at 901. We typically get at most 30 non-members. So 900 numbers above 940 or so are members - like Ted is 999 and you are 998.

Ed

[defylogik]

RDV needs to get in on this. If I can get a white on black 'knock-out' barcode for my driver number, that'd work for my helmet, and then another white knock-out on nothing for barcode vehicle index could go on my hideous Honda Racing Line windshield banner.

We are working on some test ones this weekend. We should be able to offer both the standard and the reversed ones. i.e. for the helmet and for the car (if you want to put them on the inside).
We should be able to offer a few options by early next week for everyone that wants permanant ones. Having a cell phone that can read and output barcodes is a huge help. Hurray technology.

I think we are getting together with the crew next weekend to do a walk through of everything next weekend anyways..

We also have access to a thermal label printer which we are testing for the same purpose. Downside to the thermal printer is that the high-tack adhesive tapes for it cost quite a bit more than automotive grade vinyl...

Scott

[JoeTR6]

i don't get the idea of the led board, correction I do, but i see a flaw, When the sun shines on the LED board, it will make it more difficult to read, just thinking out loud

The LED board is designed for full-sun viewing. I haven't tried it outside yet, but it hurts to look directly at it inside.

Also just out of curiosity, what will be done for the guests that attend for the first time on raceday, will you have barcodes for them onsite?

We have a small label printer for this. It's just that if we have to print barcodes for everyone, the event may not start until 11am.

[hepcatz]

Awesome, thanks Joe!

[Dan133]

this is probably nitpicking on my part, but... If the barcode system will determine your index at the grid why is tire info (tire type/wear rating) still being required to register? If it is simply because the software hasn't been changed that's fine but if I don't understand how this works please straighten me out.

Thx

dan

[FredK]

yes Dan, it is.
If it's not needed right now I think it's O.K. to just register and include the info. If you are concerned register with those sections left empty. It's like the census...why do they need my phone #?? I'm not paranoid, seriously, I'm not!!

[echan]

this is probably nitpicking on my part, but... If the barcode system will determine your index at the grid why is tire info (tire type/wear rating) still being required to register? If it is simply because the software hasn't been changed that's fine but if I don't understand how this works please straighten me out.

Thx

dan

When you register, specific vehicle information is stored in the event information, which saves data input for the organizer doing the results.

The vehicle index you place on the vehicle is currently just the product of the three mulipliers. The bar code does not contain make, model, year, color, or individual tire, HP and weight mulitpliers (all of which is displayed in the results).

So when you make a reservation (e.g. Dan K under number 133), the registration data loads the vehicle information (1999 Mazda Miata, r compounds, 2300 pounds, 140 HP, small bore series). So when the bar code scans 133 for that event, those values are defaulted as the vehicle information. If there were no vehicle information input from registration, we would only have a name and index.

In thoery, we could get away with only one barcode but restrict all participants not to change cars or change the vehicle configuration used when making the reservations. Our thought is that one of CDC strong points was the ability for people to change cars, change different tires all within the same event. The last thing we wanted was to restrict the fun because of a bar code. So, the ensure that vehicle changes can be done, we just make a redundant second bar code, with at most we would have to manually update vehicle information.

Joe S is working on making all three indexes on the bar code (next version). The advantage is less data input for the results, real-time desplay of all the participants with their vehicles, and the ability to change cars during the day without us having to guess what the indexes were (at least we would know the overall index).

I suppose in theory, after Joe's second version is implemented, we could removed weight, tire, and HP in the registration. However, currently we still need those entries. Please be patient, the system is still maturing.

Ed

[defylogik]

Just wanted to add an update for this weekend -

We will bring our thermal printer if anyone wants barcodes for their car. Right now CDC will only be providing barcode stickers that will not last in the weather. We know we tried it

We tested out doing the barcodes as stickers, and they just don't work/will not last very long. We do have a handheld thermal printer though,and can make you up your barcodes on sticker strips. The thermal material has a super strong adhesive that should last the whole season. And since the text is thermal printed, it won't be effected by the elements.

Downside - the cost of the thermal tapes is quite pricey. We need to ask $2/each for your name and index to cover the tapes expense.

If you want them, come see us on saturday morning and we will get you set-up with what you need. We will have the black hatch STi and the blue NB miata out this weekend.

Thanks everyone!

Scott @ RDV

[hepcatz]

Scott, sounds like I will hit you up for one for the car. Since I want to remove the driver one, I think I'll laminate it so it will last and tape it on the car I am driving. I use the same helmet a lot for bikes so I'd rather not leave it on the helmet, unless pd could also scan it for expedited tickets? lol

[JoeTR6]

why is tire info (tire type/wear rating) still being required to register?

We export the registration data onto the timing computer, and this acts as a check of the barcode. Plus, if you forget your barcodes, we can print out new ones at the event. Technically, it's not required. But if it's entered correctly at registration for all drivers of a particular car, and those drivers don't switch cars, you could also live without the index barcode. It's just nice to have in case someone changes cars during an event.

As Ed mentioned, I realized that a CDC index number alone has a flaw. We can't turn it back into the original tire/hp/weight selections. It's also not very compact. At this point, we can handle the original index barcode and a new format that contains the tire/hp/weight selections (e.g., "C123"). Entering the three selections is a lot easier and less error prone than figuring out the exact index number. Ultimately, we only need the single CDC index number to produce results, so we're good for the first event.

Here are the details of the new index barcode:
* First character is a "C" (instead of an "I") to indicate coded form.

* Second character is the tire selection.
1 -> Street tires
2 -> R-comp > 140
3 -> full R-comp

* Third character is HP selection.
1 -> < 100 hp
2 -> 100 - 150 hp
3 -> 150 - 200 hp
4 -> 200 - 250 hp
5 -> 250 - 300 hp
6 -> 300+ hp

* Fourth character is weight selection.
1 -> < 2000 lbs.
2 -> 2000 - 2500 lbs.
3 -> 2500 - 3000 lbs.
4 -> 3000 - 3500 lbs.
5 -> 3500+ lbs.

* The barcode must begin and end with an asterisk. For example, the barcode for most stock Miatas with street tires is "*C122*".

* The barcode font we're using is called "code 3 of 9" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_39 in case anyone is interested.

I'll have an cheat sheet of all the codes at the event to reduce the mental aerobics.

[Dan133]

I like the idea of the simplified code---Very easy to use and easy to check for accuracy. But another probably dumb question.... If I register with Rcomps but discover the day before that rain is forecast and decide to use street tires instead, and I use the appropriate barcode, will the system pick up the change and use the correct index? Although in reality I don't know why I'm asking all of these questions as I can't really compete in the open class even with indexing.

[wrathe74]

I like the idea of the simplified code---Very easy to use and easy to check for accuracy. But another probably dumb question.... If I register with Rcomps but discover the day before that rain is forecast and decide to use street tires instead, and I use the appropriate barcode, will the system pick up the change and use the correct index? Although in reality I don't know why I'm asking all of these questions as I can't really compete in the open class even with indexing.

If you cutout, and use the correct barcode for the change in your index, that is what will be recorded; but also let us know the change, as I believe we will also be using the timesheets as backup; this will ensure you get the correct index regardless.

[hepcatz]

Here's one of my bar codes, the driver one. I laminated it then glued it onto magnetic backing to stick it on the driver door. I also laminated the car index one to tape in my windshield until I get a reverse decal version from Scott. I did two of each to have a spare.



John N

[ferris]

I wonder if the magnet will be strong enough to hold the bar code on during an auto-x...

[hepcatz]

Why not? It holds my numbers and all my crazy "psuedo sponsor dorky go faster" stickers. The only thing I actually tape on is the "Slowe azz molassass... " because I've been too lazy to stick it on magnetic backing being large. You can also put a really small piece of tape on the leading edge.(I sometimes do that to my numbers) Plus all the sillyness I put on my car is cheap & most I have more than one.

I wonder if the magnet will be strong enough to hold the bar code on during an auto-x...

[An2ny]

So the horse power figure that we need to use for the index is at the wheels or at engine?
Got it "As measured at the driven wheels"

[Gonz]

So the horse power figure that we need to use for the index is at the wheels or at engine?
Got it "As measured at the driven wheels"

You should use HP measured at the wheels.

[pweishaupt]

as a non-member, about to become a member tomorrow, do i need to bring the bar code from the pdf (number 902 i guess right?)

thanks,

pete

[JoeTR6]

I just wanted to remind everyone that the old bar codes we used prior to the 2010 season are going away this year. The only change from last year is the addition of an under 1500 lb. weight index. So if you have a Caterham or your index bar codes have just a number (without a code such as "C123"), then you will need to download the "All Vehicles Index Bar Codes for 2011" PDF and print out the appropriate bar code. I'll repeat the details below to help determine the right one.

Here are the details of the index barcode:
* First character is a "C" (instead of an "I") to indicate coded form.

* Second character is the tire selection.
1 -> Street tires
2 -> R-comp > 140
3 -> full R-comp

* Third character is HP selection.
1 -> < 100 hp
2 -> 100 - 150 hp
3 -> 150 - 200 hp
4 -> 200 - 250 hp
5 -> 250 - 300 hp
6 -> 300+ hp

* Fourth character is weight selection.
1 -> 1500 - 2000 lbs.
2 -> 2000 - 2500 lbs.
3 -> 2500 - 3000 lbs.
4 -> 3000 - 3500 lbs.
5 -> 3500+ lbs.
6 -> < 1500 lbs.

Trailing letters indicate special classes. So far, we only have "S" to indicate small bore. If you are participating in small bore, you'll need to download the small bore index bar codes that have an "S" after the code.

If you can't print the bar codes yourself, we'll have a label printer at each event. It helps if as many participants as possible do this ahead of time so that we don't spend an hour waiting for labels to print at the event.

[Imprezive_04]

If we have access to a barcode printer that makes nice 1" tall laminated barcodes. What would we input for the index barcode? My index is 1.01970 C154. Looks like the barcode is just based on the "C154" ?

Thanks

[JoeTR6]

If we have access to a barcode printer that makes nice 1" tall laminated barcodes. What would we input for the index barcode? My index is 1.01970 C154. Looks like the barcode is just based on the "C154" ?

Almost. The bar code scanner expects the code to begin and end with an asterisk. So you could print *C154* using the "3 of 9" bar code font, and it should work. The scanner *may* also work with other fonts, but we haven't tested them. I'd include the actual total index and the index code in a comment under the bar code just to help identify it.

[pweishaupt]

Dumb question: My vehicle index is 1.02

How do I know which 1.02 to use? The 1.02's have numbers like (C121) (C143) etc...

Thanks

[eage8]

Dumb question: My vehicle index is 1.02

How do I know which 1.02 to use? The 1.02's have numbers like (C121) (C143) etc...

Thanks

from a few posts up:

Here are the details of the index barcode:
* First character is a "C" (instead of an "I") to indicate coded form.

* Second character is the tire selection.
1 -> Street tires
2 -> R-comp > 140
3 -> full R-comp

* Third character is HP selection.
1 -> < 100 hp
2 -> 100 - 150 hp
3 -> 150 - 200 hp
4 -> 200 - 250 hp
5 -> 250 - 300 hp
6 -> 300+ hp

* Fourth character is weight selection.
1 -> 1500 - 2000 lbs.
2 -> 2000 - 2500 lbs.
3 -> 2500 - 3000 lbs.
4 -> 3000 - 3500 lbs.
5 -> 3500+ lbs.
6 -> < 1500 lbs.

[pweishaupt]

Thanks - makes sense - probably should have read a little closer - -- -- C143...