Racers, what method/program do you employ for record-keeping and which weather station do you employ?

Altalab with wind and pager along with Crew Chief Pro.

Larry, I copy by hand data from my time slips and weather station onto worksheets that I made up on my computer.
I'd like to show a picture of one of my blank worksheets, but I don't know how to attach it.

It is however pretty similar to what many racers use.
At the top is a heading area with blank spaces for the date, racing event, baseline tire pressure, carb jetting etc.

Going down on the left margin of the page I have labels for each row for the run number, the ET, 60', 1000', 1000' split time, horsepower correction factor, temperature, barometric pressure, dry barometer, wind, water grains and vapor pressure.

Going across the top again are spaces to enter the run number. I've got it spaced so I have seven columns to enter data; one for each run of the day.
Unless I'm pretty luck that day, space for seven passes is enough to cover time trials and elimination runs.

Generally after every pass I copy the performance and weather data onto the worksheet.

I've got the blank pages pre-punched to fit in a three-ring binder back in the pits, and I keep them together through the season.

At the end of the season I scan them into a .PDF document and archive it on my computer at home, but I also save it to my laptop that I always take along to the track, onto which I've got a lot of historical and technical data loaded for reference.

I often scan my timeslips into a .PDF too on my flatbed scanner at home.

My weather station is a Computech Raceaire (not the Pro model), which currently is priced at about $450.
It give me little more than raw data, but does calculate 'horsepower correction factor' and 'dry barometer', which is what I use. It does provide 'density altitude' and 'air density ratio' as well.

I don't find it all that useful in ET prediction throughout the day; however I draw my engine air from under the hood. That subject is covered in another thread.

I've found it to be kindof helpful in guessing my first dial-in of the day, noting the 'horsepower correction factor' and comparing that to historical data.

At my local track, drivers must write a dial-in time on their windows during time trials. Order in qualifying is determined by how close you can get to your actual ET with your dial-ins during time trials. That determines the #1 and #2 qualifiers etc.

We're formally laddered by the computer at my local track.

My instrument has helped me get the #1 qualifier spot on several occasions, and with there being an odd number of cars a few times, I got a 'bye' run in the first round.

I use the Altronics Performair PC weather station with Crew Chief Pro. I love them both! But I'm still old school, and like to have my runs hand written in a log book. For me, when I type in the time slip into the computer, its like data acquisition. If I hand write them, I feel like I comprehend what actually went on in the run better. The information seems to stick in my simple little head!

Mike, I am the same about writing it makes the best impression.

Altronics Performaire pc. I also hand write onto a log sheet of my own make up. I don't use any prediction software yet.

Then after the race weekend I input all the et and weather data into an Excel file. I also include the opponent et/mph/r.t. data plus MOV. I use the Excel file to compile RT average, wins and losses for winning percentage and green lights/red lights at the end of the year. I have every run that has ever been made in my car since I bought it in 2005.

I really like the Performaire software but I can digest it better out of my logbook or the Excel spreadsheet. It's a little compressed on screen in the Performaire format on my laptop.

Curtis

Family Software hands down - I had Crew Chief and much prefer Family. Each run is logged in to a spread sheet in the back ground so you can export it to Excel and slice and dice it to your hearts content. They also have a unique feature in so much as they convert every run to perfect conditions. Lets you see where on the track you are losing it. That took me some time to understand but now I love it. Showes me just how consistent the car and the track is.

Merry Christmas to everyone...

Guess my deal is rather dull.

$100 Acurite that is connected to an old laptop and an old copy of Computech Race Software. I use my Iphone as hotspot for the computer and pull information for the DA number. I have the Acurite sensor mounted on my side door on a 5 foot pole that I put in place with a bolt and nut. This deal rides to and from the track riding on the side of my Pit Products work space - have a couple of 1/4" bolts and wingnuts for the pole. This deal isn't complicated but I get good numbers to work from which to me is the important part.

quote:

Originally posted by Lenny5160:
Altalab with wind and pager along with Crew Chief Pro.

X2 plus I have my racepak that you can enter your runs in.

I run Crew Chief Pro with an Altronics weather station. For logging the runs I just use the good old fashioned logbook and pen with notes......

I've thought of doing the spreadsheet deal, but it's time consuming, however the latest update of crew chief has that feature built in......I just did my update and it's got some cool stuff.....

Our Crew Chief Pro not only has the best Logbook but it is completely searchable. We show you the differences between runs between each column, and can show you the averages between both lanes instantly. Plus, with one click you get the averages with the high and low values removed, which usually generates better data.

You can search for similar runs with ONE Click, while on the Prediction TAB.

One of the features I like the most is the ability to go to a track and immediately find similar runs. I can combine search criteria such as when you want to see all the similar runs based on Density Altitude and say Barometric Pressure.

We also have the ability to track and compare opponents. We will show you how close a race was at every interval. We use our Finish Line Manager to show you how close a race should be BEFORE you run an opponent. Another great feature is our ability to link with Time Slip Simulator.

We have the ability to work with any performance weather station. We sell all types of weather equipment as well.

The new version has new math formulas not available on any other program. We race every week and have 15,000 customers to gain new ideas every single day.

Hey Don

Does your software support the Bluetooth Kestrel 5100 meter?

quote:

Originally posted by ActionRacingPhotos:
Hey Don

Does your software support the Bluetooth Kestrel 5100 meter?

No, it works with the Bluetooth 4250 but they changed everything for the 5100. You can manually enter the temp, humidity, and baro but it won't go in automatically.

I am not a huge fan of the Kestrels anyway. Any sun on the sensor and it goes crazy.

quote:

Originally posted by Don Higgins Crew Chief Pro Software:

quote:

Originally posted by ActionRacingPhotos:
Hey Don

Does your software support the Bluetooth Kestrel 5100 meter?

No, it works with the Bluetooth 4250 but they changed everything for the 5100. You can manually enter the temp, humidity, and baro but it won't go in automatically.

I am not a huge fan of the Kestrels anyway. Any sun on the sensor and it goes crazy.

Thanks for the reply. I've definitely seen similar results at times. One of these days ill upgrade.

I'll put this out there, not because I'm trying to sell Don's stuff, but because of what I've seen. A buddy of mine went from a perpetual first rounder to finishing third place overall in a points series after using Don's software. Instead of trying to guess his et, he just punched it in.....most of his losses after using the software were lack of accumulated data at first, then driver mistakes....sometimes he'd second guess....he had a good, consistent combo, just needed that little extra boost....'

Bottom line is it works....best money I've spent in a long time on racing......

Family Software is better than Crew Chief Pro IMHO! Easier to use and just as full featured PLUS you don't have to pay every year. And yes I have both and run them side by side.

I agree. I have used the Family Software for 5-6 years. Much easier to use & the owner will talk to you & CALL YOU BACK when they say they will. I just got the CCP figuring I would try it out. Total nightmare so far.

quote:

Originally posted by Quick Dawg:
Family Software is better than Crew Chief Pro IMHO! Easier to use and just as full featured PLUS you don't have to pay every year. And yes I have both and run them side by side.

When did you call us? Call me direct if you need help, 309-208-1486

Called yesterday afternoon. You said Ill call you back in like 30 minutes. Never heard from you. I figured out that issue i called about on my own. still get little error messages when exiting the program. I will start taking pictures of the messages and sending them

quote:

Originally posted by Don Higgins Crew Chief Pro Software:
When did you call us? Call me direct if you need help, 309-208-1486

quote:

Originally posted by MorgretNation:
Called yesterday afternoon. You said Ill call you back in like 30 minutes. Never heard from you. I figured out that issue i called about on my own. still get little error messages when exiting the program. I will start taking pictures of the messages and sending them

quote:

Originally posted by Don Higgins Crew Chief Pro Software:
When did you call us? Call me direct if you need help, 309-208-1486

I called yesterday, and text messaged your phone number.

Make sure you always exit from the BOTTOM RIGHT button that says EXIT.