8 replies to this topic

[panzani]

When does the first lap timing start?
By the time the red lights are extinguished or by the time each car crosses the start/finish line for the first time?

[reedemer]

good question,

um, logically it should start when each car crosses the line, yes ?

[DEVO]

i would think it starts as each car crosses the line, but for the race time in general (2 hr rule). I would assume it starts as soon as the red lights go out.

[panzani]

I forgot to say the question arose while doing quick races with GP4... I'd realised it starts timing by the time the car crosses the line. If you stand still on the grid and wait, let's say, 30 seconds, and then you go, you can have all fastest times, for instance, but the race time is different from the sum of each lap you raced... (greater, of course)

I would like to know how it works on the real world, though.

[madmax]

No, when the red lights go out then the timer starts. That's the only logical way!

[Mila]

Originally posted by madmax
No, when the red lights go out then the timer starts. That's the only logical way!

indeed. besides, a la Magny-Cours, the timing mechanism is not always set up at the start line.

[panzani]

Well remembered, there are tracks where starting and finishing lines are in different places! A third variable to the equation. How do they work out first lap times and total race time?

[davegp3]

Timing starts when lights go off.

That means if you start from P20, your first lap time will be higher compared to a case if you started from P1.

[SalutGilles]

yeah. it has to be lights out, otherwise a driver starting even second, but finishing .01 off (rare in F1, not in other series) would actually cross the line later, obviously, but have a lower overall time...