PORTABLE EASY SET-UP RC TIMER (Free Download)
(New Enhanced Version Released on: 5/10/2025)
This timer design is for a 2-lane 1/10 scale RC drag race timer system that is portable and easy to set up on a 132 foot track. The design replicates many of the features of a professional drag race timing system including the following:
  • Vehicle Stage capability/indication (Sorry - No Pre-stage capability)
  • A functional bright LED Christmas Tree w/ Sportsman, Professional, or Street Outlaw class timing selections and selectable 0.4 or 0.5 second timing.
  • 1 or 2 racer capable
  • Front panel Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) of Reaction Time, Trap Speed & Elapsed (finish) time.
  • Wireless Bluetooth Timeslip printer
  • Speed indication in MPH or km/h.
  • Hand-held pushbutton for timer control
  • 12 Volt Battery operation
  • Additional features when used with PC based race management software: (a) Handicap (Bracket) racing, (b) enhanced race start control, (c) race results saved to data file.
This design uses the GTRIC LS12-R6MN2 retro-reflective laser sensors
Click on the icon below to download the design package for building this RC timer.
esp32_rc_drt_ver12.zip
File Size: 4733 kb
File Type: zip
Download File
ENHANCED RC TIMER (Free Download)
(New Version Released on: 4/29/2023)
The enhanced PC controlled drag race timer design for a 2-lane 1/10 scale RC drag race timer is now available.
Enhanced features over the basic version include:
  • Supports handicapped bracket racing
  • Ability to control a full scale Christmas tree including ones with  120v 100 Watt incandescent lamps
  • Added Pre-stage, Guard, 6 foot & 66 foot down-track sensors
  • Measurement/Display of Reaction Time, 6 & 66 Ft Time, Trap Speed, Elapsed time & Overall time
  • Entry & Display of Racer ID (Car#) and Dial-In time for handicap races
  • Optional Printout of Time Slips using a receipt printer at conclusion of each race
  • 1 or 2 racer select where 1 racer can race on either lane
The design supports seven sets of optical sensors positioned down the track as follows:
1.    Pre-Stage & Stage Sensors: Positioned at the start line
2.    Guard Sensors: Positioned just forward of the start line
3.    6 Foot Sensors: Positioned 6 feet down track from the start line
4.    66 Foot Sensors: Positioned 66 feet down track from the start line
5.    Trap Sensors: Positioned 5.28 feet (2m for Km/h) prior to the finish line
6.    Finish Line Sensors: Positioned at the finish line (132 Ft).

An Arduino MEGA micro-controller board is used in this design and provides the interfaces to the optical lane sensors, Christmas tree and hand-held race start switch and executes the software that drives the Christmas tree lights, monitors the track sensors, performs the timing and sends the race results and track status to the PC for display and post-race processing.
 
Race management software running on the PC provides display of the race start reaction time, trap speed, 6 & 66 Foot time, elapsed time, overall time (elapsed time + reaction time) and racer’s status (win, disqualified, breakout). Display of racer ID numbers and dial-in times is also provided. An optional thermal receipt printer provides hardcopy Time Slips for the race participants.
 
Interested in other features? -- Contact me @ [email protected] for a custom design.
Click on the icon below to download the design package for building this RC timer.
rc_drt_ver5f.zip
File Size: 3809 kb
File Type: zip
Download File

​1-Lane Practice Timer

Features Include:
  • Start Line Stage, Guard, 6 Ft, 66 Ft, Trap & Finish Line Sensors.
  • Single Lane Light Tree that supports Sportsman, Pro & Outlaw operation modes.
  • ​Foot switch control for hands-free operation.
  • 12 Volt Battery Operation.
  • Wireless Bluetooth Thermal Timeslip Printer.
  • Optional connection to PC running Race Monitor Software that displays and saves race results to a data file.
  • Uses the Espressif ESP32 microcontroller.
Click Download File button below to download the design package for this version.
rc_drpt_ver2.zip
File Size: 4367 kb
File Type: zip
Download File