It was worse than anyone had thought, but the staff made the right decision.
>From SCCA web site:
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.
|