General Specifications
E.T. Timing
Computer Option Timing
Cable Details
Sunlight Max Option
Reset Choices
Wall Transformer Option
BestTrack Mounting Blocks
Cable Management Clips
Digital Pocket Scale

General Specifications:

Judges are available in sizes from 1 lane to 8 lanes.  Except for the width and lane spacing, they all look and function the same.  Each Judge is custom built to fit your track, although we stock certain sizes to fit popular tracks available on the market. We call these Judges Standard, not because they are recognized by any organization as such, but because we pre-manufacture the enclosures in quantity. This allows a cost savings, which we pass on to you.  We consider all commercial tracks to be Standard, and in addition, these twelve sizes in home-built tracks:

All other Judges are considered Custom, and are made to order specifically for track dimensions you supply.
How do I measure my track?

The basic Judge has two parts: The Display Bar that mounts over the top of the finish line, and the Illuminator Assembly that mounts under the track.  The Illuminator Assembly generates a beam of infrared light in each lane, which is monitored by sensors directly above.  When a car breaks the beam with its front bumper, the electronic circuits figure out the order and display the results to your audience by the bright red lights in the Display Bar.  The winner gets a steady red, the second place gets a flashing with 50% duty cycle, and the third place gets a winking with 5% duty cycle.  The lights are very bright, and easy to interpret across a large gymnasium.

Basic prices range from $149 to $299.  All Judges may be ordered with optional features which affect the price.

These include two different timing capabilities called E.T., and  Computer Option.  If you hold your derbies outdoors, you will need Sunlight Max.  In addition, you may order User-Settable Display Time, Push Button Reset, and Wall Transformer Option. And finally, you may choose from various items to customize your cabling if you choose Computer Option.

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E.T. Timing  $99

E.T. is a digital stopwatch built in flush to the top surface of The Judge, and gives the elapsed time of the winning car, not all lanes.  E.T. gives resolution of 10 or 100 microseconds (your choice).

E.T. comes with a magnetic switch that you mount to your start gate to provide the time = zero signal. You also get a cable to run the length of your track. The cable plugs into a socket on The Judge.

Why would I want E.T.?  Good question.  Here are three good answers:

• By sending the same car sequentially down each lane, it gives you a sense of how "equal" the lanes are, so you can spot problems and do something about them.
• It allows you to hold "qualifying heats" prior to the main event, giving you a basis for ordering the derby heats.  By matching slow against slow, and fast against fast, you get more exciting races.
• It allows serious entrants to test various theories and techniques for how to polish the wheels and place the weights.  Really fast cars are no accident, and pursuing the ultimate appeals to many young inquiring minds........their dads, too.  Make the E.T. equipped track available for a few weeks before Derby Day, and watch something really interesting unfold.

It is possible to order E.T. on all lanes, and we offer discounts on each successive E.T. module.  However this is still not very cost effective.  If you really want to time all lanes, Computer Option is a much better solution.

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Computer Option Timing  $99 plus $6 per lane

Race Number 14 Checking valid lanes....... Number of Lanes: 6 Ready to Start Race GO! Lane 3 Lane 5 Lane 1 Lane 2 Lane 6 Lane 4 Race Over  3.2437 Seconds  3.6782 Seconds  3.6917 Seconds  3.8361 Seconds  3.9216 Seconds  3.9525 Seconds  Win  Place  Show

When you order Computer Option, you have the ability to see the complete results of each race come up on your computer screen exactly as shown above. 

You don't need any special software, just your serial port program that comes with your computer.  In a PC, this program is called Hyperterminal, and is found in your Programs/Accessories folder, perhaps in a sub-folder called Communications.  Once you achieve your settings, save and place a Judge shortcut icon on your desktop.  Then, when your computer is turned on, you are only one mouse click away from the derby.

But the best part of Computer Option Timing is that once the data from the Judge is sent to your computer, the sky's the limit!

If you are a programmer, you can make your own program to parse the incoming message, combine it with the boys' names, and integrate it into your methology to determine the fastest cars. You can create the entire race schedule, assign lanes, keep track of individual or group times, show scale speed, show who is on deck for the next race, and many other things.  You are limited only by your imagination.

If you are not a programmer,  you can relax and let the best cyberminds in the industry do this for you.  Here are two fine derby management programs that interface perfectly with The Judge, and provide you with the ability to completely automate your derby.  Look over each, and decide which one serves your needs the best. We stock them both in CD format and will pack one with your order at the same price offered at their respective websites.

Note 1.  These software packages are designed for PC use, operating systems Windows 95 and later.

Note 2:  Software support must be obtained directly from the respective authors. Software is not returnable or refundable.

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Cable Details

With Computer Option, you get a cable that runs back to the start gate and terminates in a magnetic switch.  This provides the Time = zero signal.  You also get a six foot cable to go to your computer, which means you will be locating your computer near the finish line.

Startline Cable Kit  $15

Placing your computer near the start gate is a particular advantage when using derby management software, so you don't have to shout across the room.  All derby software programs tell you, for each race, who to run on what lane.  As a $15 option , we provide the cabling components necessary to locate your computer near the start line. This is really where you want to be when using derby software.

USB to Serial Converter  $29

 The Judge communicates with your computer through the Serial Port (the nine-pin connector on the back).  Most new laptop computers have USB ports only, rather than serial ports.  This is important, but it is not a problem.  Your local computer store can supply a USB-Serial interface converter.  We also can supply this item at $29.

Computer Message Tester  $2

Using Computer Option requires proper configuration of your computer. But in any electronic device, other things can and occasionally do go wrong. If you are having problems getting Computer Option to work, the first question that needs to be answered is Is it my computer that is not set up right?  Or is there a malfunction in the Judge or the cable? This simple and inexpensive device anwers that question.

Simply unplug the serial cable from your computer and plug this tester in the end of the cable. Every time you power up the Judge you will get a distinctive series of flashes, lasting about 8 seconds, from the red light as the welcome message is transmitted. Also, you will get a double light show, rather than the single light show displayed during power up. If you get the blinks and the double light show, you know the Judge and cables are fine. Then you can concentrate on your computer set up. Highly recommended.

Screw Lock Kit  $2

Allows the Serial Cable to be positively attached to the Junction Board Socket. We normally provide non-locking sockets on the Junction Board because of the high incidences of accidental damage to the Junction Board or the Computer. This usually occurs not during the day of the Derby, but when the track is being set up for testing in the days before. Pinewood is an exciting time, and the kids and their siblings tend to run around a lot when the adults are putting it all together. All too often, the cable gets plowed into, either ripping the Junction Board apart, or worse, yanking the laptop off the table and onto the floor.

Without the screw locks, if the cable is accidently yanked, it will simply disconnect. This has cut down dramatically on damage. But if you are interested in securing the cable to the Junction Board, this what you need.

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Sunlight Max Option  $29 plus $5 per lane

Most Pinewood Derby races are held indoors during the winter months, so The Judge is designed to work indoors.  Outdoor light, even on overcast days, contains intense infrared energy that can overpower the sensors, and cause malfunction.  You might be able to get The Judge to work if you are in deep shade of foliage, or under a pavilion roof, but it is dicey.  If you want outdoor operation, then schedule your event after dusk, and use florescent lighting (any intensity).  If you need to operate in daylight, get Sunlight Max

The sensors of Sunlight Max are high performance photodiodes with active elliptical filtering.  They have the ability to detect and respond to a unique code contained in the specially generated light.  They ignore other competing light sources, and work even in full sunlight.

Two side benefits of Sunlight Max sensors:   1.  They are more sensitive, and allow the Judge to be raised for greater clearance height, and   2.  They are more power efficient, allowing battery operation three times longer.

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Reset Options

All Judges automatically reset after displaying the race results to your audience for 22 seconds.  Most people think 22 seconds is about right.  There are two reset details that you may consider to customize your Judge. These extra cost choices are independent.  You may order either one or the other, or both for $16.

*  User Settable Display Time  $10  You may set the display time to your choosing from 8 to 22 seconds, to adjust the pace of your derby.

*  Push Button Reset  $12  The push button, mounted on the top surface of the display bar, will cause an immediate unconditional reset.  You can also enter the Manual Mode, in which the display lasts indefinitely until you reset.  If you get the push button reset, you will still have automatic reset capability.

If your Judge has Computer Option installed, the Judge can be reset by sending a reset command to it from your computer. Derby management programs use that method, and give you the ability to set your desired display time. By purchasing the Push Button Reset option, you have the ability to over-ride the 22 second automatic reset, and set it to longer values under computer control.

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Wall Transformer Option  $15

All Judges work on three AA size batteries which you insert into a battery holder on the left support bracket.  At extra cost, you may get the Wall Transformer Option which will allow you to use 120VAC house current as well.

Battery operation is great because there are no cords running around the floor to trip over.  But if your track is set up for many days or weeks each year, then Wall Transformer Option makes sense because it soon pays for itself in terms of battery cost.

A single set of batteries will power a 1 or 2  Lane Judge for 20 hours, a 3 or 4 Lane Judge for 12 hours, a 5 or 6 Lane Judge for 8 hours, and a 7 or 8 Lane Judge for 6 hours.  Wall Transformer Option is recommended for 8 lane Judges with normal indoor sensors.  Judges having Sunlight Max sensors will operate on batteries about three times as long as those having normal sensors, and this 8 lane recommendation does not apply.

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BestTrack Customers: See important note regarding finish line illuminators HERE.

BestTrack Mounting Blocks

The BestTrack is too narrow to mount The Judge on the running surface, so the width needs to be extended by attaching these hardwood mounting blocks to the edges of the track. The attachment is made by drilling pilot holes in the track using the pre-drilled holes as a guide.

Optional Premium mounting blocks are available in a variety of heights and finishes. They provide your choice of clearance heights: low, medium, and tall. The blocks are trapezoid in shape, cut to match the angle of the Judge aluminum end panels. Finishes available are: Unfinished, Primed Grey, and Stained/Varnished. The track on the right has the medium height blocks in the stained/varnished, our most popular seller.
No Drilling, No Tools All Premium blocks mount without tools. They are attached using the same captive bolt and nut technique that the entire track uses for assembly. Mounting and dismounting the blocks is fast and easy. Finger tight is fine for securing the nut.
Order by Part Number   Unfinished Primed Stained/Varnished Low BB1U $10 BB1P $12 BB1S $15 Medium BB2U $11 BB2P $13 BB2S $16 Tall BB3U $13 BB3P $16 BB3S $19	Car Clearances Low 3.5" Medium 4.5" Tall 5.5" Other heights available on request

CABLE MANAGEMENT CLIPS $0.40 each

Avoid cable damage by dressing neatly along the bottom of your track using these versatile PVC clamps. Simply peel off the wax paper backing and press into place. We suggest 3 clamps per track section. As shown at right, you may anchor by clamping cable directly, or allow the cable to slip through. Size: 1 inch square

DIGITAL POCKET SCALE $39

Highly Accurate. Perfect for weighing Pinewood Derby Cars!

Easy to read LCD display, folds for storage 17 Ounce Capacity, .01 Ounce resolution Small Size: 3" x 5" x 1" Car wheels hang in air on either side. Measures in Ounces, Grams, Troy Ounces Tare Function: Zero out weight of cup, basket, etc. Runs on 2 AAA batteries, included. Auto Off function Use as Kitchen scale the rest of the year.

Note: Several of these items do not appear on the Order Form. Pencil it in, or mention it when you call in your order.

Contact: New Directions, 900 Echols Street SE, Vienna, VA 22180 | 703-319-0840 | Email