Downloads

A demo version of the program can be downloaded from this page.

This version of the program will only run on Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 10. To run the application, download and unzip the file into a temp folder, and then run the setup.exe program from within the temp folder. The software installation procedures are all included in the zip file.

For Vista, Windows 7 or Windows10 the program must be run in compatibility mode. To set this up, right click the "Win_Race" application and select Properties. Then select the compatibility tab. Tick the Windows XP (Service Pack 3) compatibility mode and tick the "Run as administrator" box as shown below:

Help can be obtained from any screen by pressing the "F1" key. However to view the help files for Windows Vista and Windows 7/10 the windows help program WINHLP32.exe must be installed. These files are named "Windows6.1-KB917607-x64.msu" and "Windows6.1-KB917607-x86.msu". One of these files should be compatible with your target computer and contained in the zip file below:

The basic system comes with everything you need. This consists  an external USB interface box..

Also included are the infer red sensors (that mount under the track) with interface cable, and the windows software. For HO sensors you will either have to provide an overhead light yourself or purchase my light bridge. Although the HO sensors will work on natural light, someone leaning over the track could cause an invalid trigger.

The normal sensors fitted are the optical slotted type shown above. They are fitted discretely under the track (wooden or plastic) and are triggered by the cars card guide.

As an alternative to the standard optical sensors a dead strip interface can be fitted. This consists of having a completely dead section of track about 150mm long. The electronic interface is then fitted to this section of track. 

A dead strip interface is usually more reliable than the optical type as there is nothing to get jammed between the sensor gap. However, if young children use the track then they can have a tendency to stop in the dead section and then cannot restart again. This custom PCB can be purchased for any race timing system as well as the Slotmaster in kit form or ready built and tested. 

It will interface between a dead strip and most systems that are designed to take inputs from optical sensors. It contains no adjustable components and is ready to go for any track voltage. The circuit contains optical couplers to completely isolate the PC from the track power.

These consist of external high-power coloured LED's that can be mounted in a bridge or left for the customer to fit into any structure he desires.

As far as possible I can offer a turn key solution with the sensors already mounted within a plastic track. The only connections that the customer would make is between the raceway power supply (supplies) and the track to add the power relays, plus connections from the hand controller to measure the output voltage if these options were supplied.