Gotta ask...

General chat that fellow COM'ers may be interested in.
Seven

Gotta ask...

Post by Seven » Fri Aug 11, 2006 12:23 pm

What is the reason for the delay in posting results? I assume there is something other than number crunching involved...

User avatar
rajito
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 595
Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:33 pm

Post by rajito » Fri Aug 11, 2006 12:47 pm

The results that are announced during the trophy ceremony are preliminary results. After the event, they are reviewed by the chief of timing as well as the pointskeeper, and corrected if necessary. In addition to the results for the events, the season points and track records need to be updated.

At that point, they are handed to the lazy bum who posts them up whenever the mood comes upon him.

We try to get them up within a week or so, but it sometimes takes longer, especially at faaaaaaaaaar away events where people might not get back the day after the event.

Raj
#66 SuperSlowGT
Silver 2004 Nissan 350Z

Mark Swinehart
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 911
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2002 2:31 pm

Post by Mark Swinehart » Fri Aug 11, 2006 1:37 pm

Jeff -

Your time was 1:55.111.

Seven

Post by Seven » Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:16 pm

Thanks for the quick responses fellas...

In case it came across wrong... I was only inquiring to see if there was anything that I could possibly do to help the process (i.e., data compilation & database stuff).

So the next obvious question is... what roles do the chief of timing & pointskeeper play in the review process? What's the point? Sanity check? If so, don't you think that the members would serve this role effectivly & quickly. Other reasons???

The results, season points, track records all should be accomplished well w/in 1 hours worth of work...probably closer to 1/2 hr. Again, if there's anything I could do to help...I'm willing.

Jeff

therooster
Fast Lapper
Fast Lapper
Posts: 49
Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2002 8:41 pm

Post by therooster » Sat Aug 12, 2006 12:01 pm

Having done these jobs years ago, they do not go as quickly as you think they should. Stuff like protests and track records some times get in the way. Also multiple people have to handle the info before it gets publicly posted. I have been involved with every stage at one point or another and you are always verifing or checking something before putting the final results out for the club. The last thing the club wants to do is put out inaccurate info. Also remember that this is a volunter club. The officers have other responsibilities. When I first became really involved I was a Grad student and was working full time. Results sometimes took at least 2-4 weeks before getting posted. Due to job stuff I have not been able to get to an event in a long time, but I am surprised that the results get done as quickly as they do so I can keep up with what people are doing.
edit: spelling
Last edited by therooster on Sat Aug 12, 2006 12:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
brucesallen
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 1468
Joined: Tue May 06, 2003 9:56 am
Location: NH
Contact:

Post by brucesallen » Sat Aug 12, 2006 12:03 pm

As a former pointskeeper I can tell you it takes FAR longer than that. More like a full day. Lots of complications. Track records await stewards compiling those that have had inspections.
Bruce Allen
The Greased Shadow
"It's all about the fast lap"

User avatar
rajito
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 595
Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:33 pm

Post by rajito » Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:02 pm

Results and updated season points and track records have been posted. FYI, we got the NHIS results up in 3 days. Tremblant results have been posted less than 10 days after the event, which is the longest it has taken so far this season. I was out on Friday and Saturday and most of today, otherwise you would have seen them posted less than a week after the event.

Raj
#66 SuperSlowGT
Silver 2004 Nissan 350Z

User avatar
Mick
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 1088
Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:55 pm

Post by Mick » Mon Aug 14, 2006 8:55 am

Thanks Raj :thumbleft:

timmmy
Speed Setter
Speed Setter
Posts: 185
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:18 pm
Location: Windham NH
Contact:

Post by timmmy » Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:42 am

Mick wrote:Thanks Raj :thumbleft:
Im with Mike, Thans Raj and everyone else involved for all your volunteer efforts.

Seven

Post by Seven » Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:28 pm

By all means....thank you Raj.

Again, I'm not posing the question as a criticism of those who are performing the duties currently. In fact, as has been pointed-out in this thread, results seem to be posted faster now than ever before.

What I'm really questioning is the process itself. Before I stick my neck out and start suggesting "improvements" I'd like to get a better understanding of the process and procedures.

It seems to me that it makes sense to post preliminary results and have them subject to change before finalization. This would allow all club members to see the results in a timely fashion AND it would assist in the verification process. Club members with vested interests in results are likely to pay careful attention to the prelim results. The more eyes the better.

The timely posting of results also extends to time trial day. This is of particular concern to those who will be traveling long distances that afternoon.... the obvious benefit is not having to wait till the end of the day to know their time (or alternatively, having to wait a number of days to find out the info). The less obvious benefit is that those who have set new track records (clearly not self serving here) have the choice of waiting for an inspection or forgoing the glory and heading-out on their journey home. This of course begs the question as to whether those fortunate enough to be posed with such an agonizing predicament may have their cars tech'd prior to the awards compressing an already lengthy day.

I know the popular response will be... bring it up at the next meeting... Just wanted to discuss it informally to see what others think as well as to understand what the limiting factors are.

Thanks all for the patience....

Jeff

Seven

Post by Seven » Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:06 pm

Btw, just so there's no confusion... I understand this club is run by a bunch of folks volunteering their valuable time. Trust me... I do NOT underestimate the value of peoples' time. I owe all these folks a major debt of gratitude. My tact is not to add work...rather, it is to see how the process can be streamlined and improved in a manner that does not degrade the "product" while simultaneously freeing-up the valuable time of the officers & volunteers of the club.

Trying to find a way to help...

therooster
Fast Lapper
Fast Lapper
Posts: 49
Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2002 8:41 pm

Post by therooster » Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:18 pm

I do not think that it makes sense to post any prelim. results. The results become official something like 1/2 hour after the event ends if I remember correctly and this is part of the reason it take some time after the conclusion of the Time Trial. Given the way I know the Timing and Scoring works and the effort people put in there should be no problems. If Timing thinks they made any type of error you will get offered a re-run and be notified ASAP. Other than that it is a matter of checking/cross-checking the redundant systems to make sure no mistakes are made in the posted results. I have never seen a results sheet change from when they were announced at the event and the posted results unless there was a protest pending more information.

User avatar
DanDarcy
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 764
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:59 am
Location: Belchertown, Mass.

Post by DanDarcy » Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:20 pm

at the July NHIS event , the preliminary results were announced and the trophy given with the winning time of 1:20.9 , his actual time was 1:29. So there can be a change in the times from prelim to final.
The scores are posted the fastest they have ever been posted --- Thanks Raj. :lol: Just a few years ago it took a month or two to get them posted. The club is always changing and improving. I hope everybody keeps up the good work =D>
Dan D'Arcy
Lotus Exige Cup Car #069 SU
Lotus Elise #310 SD
Chevron B64 Formula SU
http://www.allpowersales.com/

offcamber09
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 1014
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:44 pm
Location: East Kingston, NH
Contact:

Post by offcamber09 » Mon Aug 14, 2006 10:28 pm

DanDarcy wrote: The scores are posted the fastest they have ever been posted --- Thanks Raj. :lol: Just a few years ago it took a month or two to get them posted. The club is always changing and improving. I hope everybody keeps up the good work =D>
I agree- the thing to remember is these people are volunteering their time and presumably have other lives. Kudos for the job they do.
Scott Rosnick
#09 BMW 318ti-6

Seven

Post by Seven » Tue Aug 15, 2006 8:28 am

This is not going in the right direction... The idea was to open dialog as to how things could be improved for everyone, including those generous folks volunteering their time. Defense of their efforts is not necessary. Futhermore, just because things have improved from the darkages doesn't mean they are being done in the best manner possible.

I'll drop this agenda item as it seems that rather than taking a critical look at the process with an eye toward improvement, folks seem to be entrenched in defense of what seems to be a flawed (yet admittedly vastly improved) process.

It seems that some small process changes would benefit all, oh well. Thanks for the feedback and I apologize for wasting y'all's time.

Jeff

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest