New Trackmate Software

[RichD]

New software for the Trackmate system has been released, that is version 9.72. The software is a free download, but you have to order it and get an e-mail with a link to the download. I could not get that to work, but if you go to the Support section, then Slot Car Lap Counter you will find the link there.

I am not certain about what might be different about this version. Like several of the previous versions, if you already have an older version installed you will not have to install a software driver or enter things like the lane setup or the list of drivers. All of that stuff from a previous version will automatically be copied over.

Older versions of the software could have a glitch if you use a pause control switch, holding the button down too long could prematurely cancel the track call. You had to be very careful to just tap the button. The fix for that was to include a track call penalty delay, but that might not always be desirable. The new software seems to include a debounce feature that eliminates the problem unless you hold down the button for a long time. In any case there is not an issue if the computer's space bar is used and some combinations of computer and hardware might not be affected.

Another possible problem is what I call the 5 second glitch where doing a track call at the very end of a heat will keep the program from doing the next lane rotation. When that happens the program is locked and you would not be able to finish the race. The glitch only happened randomly, which makes it difficult to tell if it has been eliminated. I did work out a fix for the problem, if the program does not rotate you can hit Abort, then Restart Heat. If you start the heat, but do not run the cars at the end all of the laps from the aborted heat will be counted and you can then do the next rotation. I expect that the aborted heat would be a few seconds shorter. If you can't live with that you would have to repeat the entire race.

I have run a number of test races with the latest software with a track call at about 2 seconds from the end of each heat without triggering the glitch. A fellow club member that did the same thing also did not have a problem.

[SouthShoreRacing]

Maybe one of these days Trackmate will collect track sections...

[RichD]

That feature was promised years ago but still has not been included. Years ago the software that was used at commercial raceways opened up a screen where sections could be entered at the end of a race and before the results were displayed. There is no telling what might have happened on the very last lap. A car that was ahead during the previous lap may have crashed or been passed during that last incomplete lap.

[NicoRosberg.]

Back when we used Trackmate software we still used spreadsheets and so the 10ths (later 20ths) went into that.

When we switched to RC we of course stopped needing spreadsheets.

My experience is that software gurus eventually tire of suggestions, adopting an 'if you can do better' attitude. Sadly a brit encouraged the RC guy to think like that, so now he does, somewhat. RC is still the best software in my opinion, and by a large margin.

The Trackmate hardware, it must be said, has been totally bulletproof here from day one.

[Maddman]

We had issues with the first generation cards as they could reset during use due to a static charge. The cards have been good since that problem was resolved. Some tracks are showing problems that is probably due to components on the card that are at end of life. Electrolytic capacitors don't live forever.

[eaddict]

When we switched to RC we of course stopped needing spreadsheets.

My experience is that software gurus eventually tire of suggestions, adopting an 'if you can do better' attitude. Sadly a brit encouraged the RC guy to think like that, so now he does, somewhat. RC is still the best software in my opinion, and by a large margin.

Sadly the RC author is just as unwavering against changes.

[BigBadBuzz]

To be fair, Dave (RC author) has been making more changes recently (one example is “stuttering” when fuel level is very low low/out, something asked for a while ago), plus he has some exciting ideas to add “digital-like” fuel behavior. So changes are happening…

Regards,
BBB

[RichD]

When my HO club races on oval tracks we have to use track calls because the cars come around too quickly to live marshal the race. In that case we penalize the cars one lap and that goes on the race sheet. At the end of the race the penalty laps get subtracted and the sections are taken into account so the finishing order can be determined.
Trackmate can include a penalty time delay, when the pause control is pressed the power will not go off immediately. It might make more sense to use a 1 second delay and not fuss around with recording the offs. The hitch there is that more cars would be likely to get involved in an accident the longer the delay is. Part of the reason for the penalty is to teach inexperienced drivers to avoid accidents by making them more costly. We also have a maximum number of offs that a driver may get before he is out of the race. For a 12 minute race that would be seven offs.

[Phil Kalbfell]

I don’t know why anyone would say Dave is unwavering about changes?
I have not seen any developer more accommodating than Dave, his support and backup is second to none.