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It was even worse than we thought.
From SCCA:
MISSING FORMULA CULPRIT OF SCORING ISSUES
AT ATLANTA THE TIRE RACK SCCA PROSOLO

TOPEKA, Kan. (Feb. 25, 2004) – An error in timing and scoring software was discovered Tuesday through testing by SCCA Solo Officials after several concerns were discussed at the Atlanta ProSolo, Round One of The Tire Rack® SCCA ProSolo NationalSeries.

RaceAmerica, the company that provides timing and scoring equipment for all events in The Tire Rack® SCCA ProSolo Program, was asked to improve its software in an effort to alleviate problems that had surfaced in an earlier version of the scoring program. During the reprogramming, a formula used to include reaction times in overall scores was inadvertently omitted for the left side course.

During Saturday’s action in Atlanta, several competitors questioned the validity of times shown for the courses and a test was performed in order to determine whether a problem existed or not. The test executed on-site came up inconclusive, prompting officials to believe that the angle of the finish lights, on a sloped hill, was causing an optical illusion.

SCCA officials were not aware of the extent of the problem until after the event was completed.

After a round of software testing by Accurate Technology Inc. (ATI) was completed Tuesday afternoon, the missing formula was determined to be the cause of the scoring issues.

Competitors who were at the event will be given the option of keeping points they earned or deciding to make the ProSolo a non-points event. If they choose to make it a non-points event, entrants will be allowed to start the season over and count the best three events out of the next four toward their season point total.

“We apologize for the inconvenience of this issue,” Director of Solo and Road Rally Tasha Goodale said. “And we feel this is the most fair solution for everyone involved.”

Aside from the programming glitch, the ATI scoring system proved to be up for the weather challenge the ProSolo weekend provided. Despite constant rain and chilly temperatures for almost two full days, the display boards and scoring system overall registered scores without fail throughout the event.

The scoring software will be fully operational in time for Round Two of The Tire Rack® SCCA ProSolo NationalSeries, set for March 13-14 in San Bernadino, Calif., at the Norton Airport.

For questions regarding decisions made, please contact Tasha Goodale at 1-800-770-2055.

_________________
SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

Way to help keep them on their toes Chuck!

Wasn't there a big test in Topeka last fall? If so, was the error present then? If it was, shouldn't the "test" have actually tested for it, or do you suppose it was just a big fun run/test and tune for the a few folks?

Scott

Well, I'm glad somebody appreciated my efforts, sure did get BBQ'd elsewhere.
From what I gathered the test event was to try out the new displays.
According to Dennis Grant, his company was contracted to weatherproof all the equipment connections, and verify it's operation, but RaceAmerica kept sending him new parts and equipment piecemeal. He says he did nothing with the software, only the hardware, but somehow, sometime the software got FUBARed. I got concerned on Sat afternoon when Chris P. rolled out of the stage lites twice in a row before the tree was activated, but it still gave her a greenlite and a time for her runs. The redlite should have come on as soon as the first yellow lit for the other side. Howard was starter at the time and saw it, signalling a DSQ to the trailer, but evidently never questioned it. They claim they couldn't verify that reaction times weren't being counted, but it didn't seem that difficult to do had they actually stopped and checked it. All in all it was a very bad situation. It is disheartening to go to the first event every year and have major equipment problems pop up. You'd think that everything would be checked and tested and in tip top shape before bringing it out each season?

_________________
SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.