Jaguar Chip Timing
Race Day Timing's chip timing services utilize Jaguar Chip Timing, the most advanced and reliable RFID chip timing equipment and software available. Innovative Timing Systems produces Jaguar Chip Timing hardware and software in Saint Louis, Missouri. Jaguar’s superior 21st Century technology enables us to provide the best timing services available. Every component of the Jaguar timing system and Race Day Timing’s services lead the industry. We have invested heavily in equipment and training so that our timing services result in top-notch events. Our timing services give your participants the WOW factor in spades!
Here's why Race Day Timing's chip timing services are the best available:
Jaguar RFID Chips
We utilize chips which are the most athlete friendly available today: Feather light, unobtrusive, simple, reliable, weatherproof and disposable. With Race Day Timing there's no second line for athletes to wait in just to pick up their chip; and they don’t have to put down a deposit or pay for lost chips. (They only exception being triathlon and swimming events.) You don’t have to badger your CUSTOMER to pay for a missing chip. Because you don't have to collect chips at the end of the race, you need fewer volunteers to make your event a success; or you can use those extra volunteers to provide a better experience for your participants.
For running or Nordic ski races, the Jaguar G-Chip is simply stuck on the back of the race bibs in advance. The runner then just pins it to their chest as usual. There is NO need for runners to remove the chip from the bib and try to attach it to a shoe as with some obsolete timing systems.
The Jaguar chips work great for cycling events. The fastest cyclist (or motocross rider for that matter) are not a problem for Race Day Timing's Jaguar systems. Our chips have the ability to be read at speeds up to 200mph! For cycling events the chips simply adhere to the cyclist's helmet or bike number plate. No ankle straps needed.
Race Day Timing can also time your triathlon, with complete transition splits. For triathlons and swimming events we use the reusable Jaguar T-Chip. Even then, our T-Chips have an industry low fee for uncollected chips of only $20. For triathlons we do use ankle straps to attach the chips, but rest assured we launder them between each use.
While we use the Jaguar G-Chip for most cycling and running events, Innovative Timing Systems manufactures over seven different types of chips. Why is this important? We select the chip that is best for YOUR event, Race Day Timing is never forced to make a timing chip perform in an application for which it was not designed.
Safety
Can your choice of a race timer affect the safety and health of your participants? Definitely.
Most timing systems pose two very real hazards to your participants. The first is timing mats placed on the ground. The second is that most timing companies require the athlete to come to a complete stop right after the finish to either remove a pull tag on the bib or return the timing chip. This video shows how hazardous mats can be.
Race Day Timing doesn't use mats on the ground! Period. We place antennas overhead and/or to the side of the start/finish line or other timing point. There's nothing for participants to trip on or stumble over crossing the line. This is an even bigger advantage when your finish line is on dirt or other uneven surface as mats simply don't lay down well on any surface that is not very smooth.
A Race Day Timing finish line won't become congested or back up. Racers may pass through the finish line and continue on as fast and as far as the event set-up allows. Incoming athletes aren't running into athletes that just finished whose pull tags are being removed or who are stopped while their chips are being removed and collected by your volunteers.
Just as important to the well-being of your participants is that they aren't forced to come to an abrupt and unhealthy stop at the end of the event, right after they have made their sprint for the line. They can run or ride through the finishing line unimpeded and proceed to properly cool down.
Accuracy
Many timing companies are satisfied with 80-95% read rates. Not Race Day Timing. We demand better for our events and clients, and the Jaguar system delivers. We take extra steps to insure our read rates are the highest available. Race Day Timing strives for perfection and usually achieves it.
While we can't guarantee every chip will be read (no one can), the main reason for a missed chip read is that a runner or rider simply fails to wear their chip. At every event, an athlete will simply not follow the simple instructions to either pin the bib to their chest or stick the chip on their helmet or attach the number plate to their bike. Even so, in situations where an athlete put the chip in their pocket, in their sock or even their Camelback, we usually are still able to read the chip.
We can use independent chip-reading systems when warranted. While we've never experienced chip read rates less than 98% at our events (and usually hit 99.5 to 100%) using one system alone, we offer the benefit of a back up plan with a second chip-reading setup when called for. The combination of the two systems provides either a perfect or nearly perfect read rate.
That said, if an athlete loses or forgets their chip, or the chip fails to read, the Jaguar software allows for manual entry of bib numbers, in real time, instantly integrated into the results.
As a final backup, we can also use a video system. We've never had to use the video due to missed reads. Our primary reason for having it is that it's required by some governing bodies for certain events. Generally, we would only use it to break a tie. Please understand that the odds of a tie are very, very small! The Jaguar system has an established accuracy of less than one-tenth of a second; and, in fact, logs the chip times to the thousandth of a second. Jaguar was tested to be reliably accurate down to less than four inches. Notwithstanding, if the finish times were very close, if there's a dispute, or a race official disagrees with the chip-timed result, we're able to confirm the results with the video. Jaguar has not lost the argument yet. (Please note that although some timing software records the times down to the hundredth of a second or less, they are not actually able to discern the times with that much accuracy.)
Reliability
Race Day Timing’s leading edge Jaguar chip timing systems are built to perform under the harshest weather conditions. The Jaguar system operates at higher frequencies than other chip timing equipment, features frequency switching technology and advanced filtering algorithms to prevent interference. Although theoretically possible, we've never had any interference problems with our Jaguar systems.
Reliability goes beyond our advanced hardware. We are full time, professional race timers and event producers. Race Day Timing is available to answer your questions via email, telephone or even in person every day of the week. We pride ourselves on prompt and professional service. We will arrive at your packet-pickup/race expo on time. Raced Day Timing will never leave you wondering "where is my timer?" the morning of your important event.
Redundancy
Our Jaguar chip timing systems utilize multiple antennas on the same start/finish line. Every critical component is equipped with battery backup systems should power be lost or a generator quit. The numerous physical and software redundancies built into Jaguar are always utilized by Race Day Timing.
When appropriate, Race Day Timing utilizes completely independent redundant chip timing systems. We back up our chip timing systems with video and manual entry systems to provide multiple layers of redundancy for your race, just in case. Best of all, none of these redundant systems interfere in any way with your race! Your athletes don't have to stop while someone tears off their bib tag, removes their chip, or asks their name. Race Day Timing will always go the extra mile to ensure your event results are as accurate and complete as what we demand for our own events.
Flexibility
We can either chip time or “gun time” the start. The choice is yours.
Our timing software will allow you to employ as many divisions and age groups as you desire.
Does your race have laps? We can chip time every lap of your race. Our timing software excels at handling lap races.
Producing a relay race? Not a problem.
Splits
Race Day Timing can provide multiple chip timed splits along your race course and/or transition times.
Instant Results
A racer's results are available just after they cross the finish line. No waiting. Results are continuously displayed on various monitors. We can also print up-to-date reports of your race results during the event as you desire.
If you wish, we're able to instantly post your racer times to the internet as they finish. Racers' friends and family can follow the race results as they come in and the racers can use their web-enabled phones to check the results while at the race. We can also send each finisher a text message with their finishing time as soon as they finish.
Our timing services allow you to have your awards ceremony promptly while your racers are still at the event and the festival atmosphere is still going strong. After your race, we provide you with an Excel spreadsheet with your complete results and any printed results you request.
Announcer
We provide a laptop computer for your announcer that shows the name, finish time and other information for each racer in real time as they finish via a wifi network we set up at the race. Your announcer has continuous access to a list of top male and female finisher, and can look up the finishing time of any racer. Our announcer system enhances the ability of your announcer to keep the crowd engaged.
Chip Check
We set up a "chip check" system at your expo/packet pickup which allows the racer to waive their chip in front of an antenna and see their information pop up on a monitor. Racers love knowing everything is okay, since many of them have had bad experiences with poor performing chip timing systems in the past. Our staff is available to answer racer questions and assist in handling any registration problems.
For the race organizer, chip check is a great way to find any errors in the registration process in advance of the race so that your results are full, complete and accurate as soon as your last racer crosses the line. Race Day Timing goes the extra mile to ensure you have a great event! Best of all, at least four hours of our attendance at your expo/packet-pickup the day before your event is included in our base fee.
Race Clock with Results Flash
Our finish line includes at least one large monitor "race clock". Race Day TIming's "race clock" displays a lot more than just the time though! The monitor flashes each racer's name and time right after the finish. Racers love seeing their "name in lights".
Our advanced "race clock" has other features. We can display a unique message for each finisher. You just tell us what you want. For charity events, a lot of race directors like to flash the racer's fundraising total on the screen.
There is also space on the monitor for advertising your sponsors. The "race clock" is a great opportunity to either raise more sponsor dollars or give your sponsors more value for their money. There aren't many better places for your sponsor to be acknowledged than the one place virtually everyone in attendance is going to look at.
Results Kiosk
We provide a set-up where, after they finish, the racer can type in their bib number and see their finish time displayed on a monitor. Family members and friends often use this to check on the status of their racer, especially during longer races. You no longer have to answer the "have they finished yet?" questions!
Start/Finish Line
Our timing services include a 10-foot wide start/finish line tower that allows you to hang banners along both the top and sides and adds a professional look to your event. For a small additional fee, we also offer a large start/finish line modular truss that is 3.5M high and can be as wide as 8.5M. It's big and impressive, and definitely adds pizzazz to your race and will accommodate the largest events. Our large trussing complies with the finish line requirements for USA Cycling events.
Start/finish line services included finish chute fencing as well as barricades to provide crowd control for racers and spectators at the finish area.
Cost Effective
Racers value accurate and convenient chip timing. They're willing to pay more for it. We're confident our fees are less than the additional amount your athletes are willing to pay for professional, accurate timing. Race Day Timing also saves you on staffing needs compared with other chip timing systems. Race Day Timing will provide your race with more professional service and raise the production quality of your event to new heights.
