Slot track management system

Abstract

A slot track management system for use with at least one racecar includes a track having a plurality of slots and a plurality of metal strips along the slots for conveying current to a respective racecar. A starting line is perpendicular to the slots. The system includes a processor, start and information displays. At least two south-pole sensors are situated adjacent each slot and the starting line for detecting the presence of a racecar. The processor includes programming for distinguishing between race cars based on data from the sensors, calculating race performance information, actuating the information display to display the calculated race performance data, and actuating the start display indicative of a start time. The start display may include a lighting configuration characteristic of a NHRA Christmas tree. The system enables race fans to experience characteristics of multi-lap racing and drag racing.

1 . A slot track management system for use with at least one racecar, said system comprising:
 a track having a plurality of slots that form at least a part of a raceway;   a plurality of metal strips adjacent said slots for conveying electrical current to the at least one racecar;   a starting line generally perpendicular to said slots;   a processor;   at least two south-pole sensors adjacent each said slot for detecting the presence of a racecar along said raceway, said sensors being adjacent said starting line and in data communication with said processor;   a start display corresponding to each respective slot, said start displays being in data communication with said processor;   at least one information display in data communication with said processor;   wherein said processor has programming for:
 distinguishing between the at least one racecar based on data from said sensors; 
 calculating race performance information using said data from said sensors; 
 actuating said at least one information display to display said race performance information; and 
 actuating said start displays to display start information that includes a start time. 
   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said processor has programming for:
 determining if a racecar crossed said starting line before said start time; and   actuating said at least one information display to display a false start signal if a racecar crossed said starting line before said start time.   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a first racecar has a magnetically-south side and a magnetically-north side;   a second racecar has a magnetically-south side and a magnetically-north side;   the magnetically-south side of the first racecar corresponds to the magnetically-north side of the second racecar; and   said processor distinguishes between the first and second racecars by relating said data from said sensors to the respective magnetically-south sides of the first and second racecars.   
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 an input device is in data communication with said processor for providing said processor with handicapping information; and   said processor has programming for determining said start information based on said handicapping information.   
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said race performance information includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of number of laps completed for each respective racecar, number of laps remaining for each respective racecar, lap speed information for each respective racecar, and comparison data for each respective racecar. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said processor has programming for determining said start information based on track distance data. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 an input device is in data communication with said processor for providing said processor with race length information that includes a number of laps;   said processor has programming for determining said start information based on track distance data and said number of laps; and   said race performance information includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of number of laps completed for each respective racecar, number of laps remaining for each respective racecar, lap speed information for each respective racecar, and comparison data for each respective racecar.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said processor, said input device, said start displays, and said at least one information display are integral with said track. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said processor is in data communication with an audio device; and   said processor includes programming for actuating said audio device.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 at least one input device is in data communication with said processor for providing said processor with at least one item selected from the group consisting of handicapping information and race length information;   said race length information includes a number of laps; and   said processor has programming for determining said start information based on at least one item selected from the group consisting of said handicapping information and said race length information.   
   
   
       11 . A slot track management system for use with at least one racecar, said system comprising:
 a track having a plurality of slots that form at least a part of a raceway;   a plurality of metal strips adjacent said slots for conveying electrical current;   a starting line generally perpendicular to said slots;   a processor;   at least one sensor adjacent each said slot for detecting the presence of a racecar at a particular location along said raceway, said sensors being in data communication with said processor;   a start display corresponding to each respective slot, said start displays being in data communication with said processor; and   at least one information display in data communication with said processor.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said processor actuates said start displays to display start information;   said start information includes a start time;   said processor calculates race performance information using data from said sensors; and   said processor actuates said at least one information display to display said race performance information.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said processor determines if a racecar crossed said starting line before said start time using data from said sensors; and   said processor actuates at least one item selected from the group consisting of one said start display and one said information display to display a false start signal if a racecar crossed said starting line before said start time.   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 an input device is in data communication with said processor for providing said processor with at least one item selected from the group consisting of handicapping information and race length information;   said race length information includes a number of laps; and   said processor determines said start information based on at least one item selected from the group consisting of said handicapping information and said race length information.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said race performance information includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of number of laps completed for each respective racecar, number of laps remaining for each respective racecar, lap speed information for each respective racecar, and comparison data for each respective racecar. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said processor is in data communication with an audio device; and   said processor actuates said audio device to audibly present said race performance information.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said processor compares said race performance information to prior race performance information; and   said processor actuates said at least one information display to display said comparison of said race performance information and said prior race performance information.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said processor is in data communication with an audio device;   said processor compares said race performance information to prior race performance information; and   said processor actuates said audio device to audibly present said comparison of said race performance information and said prior race performance information.   
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said at least one sensor adjacent each said slot is at least two south-pole sensors adjacent each said slot;   a first racecar has a magnetically-south side and a magnetically-north side;   a second racecar has a magnetically-south side and a magnetically-north side;   the magnetically-south side of the first racecar corresponds to the magnetically-north side of the second racecar; and   said processor distinguishes between the first and second racecars by relating data from said sensors to the respective magnetically-south sides of the first and second racecars.