GPS Rally Computer is a Universal app designed to simplify computations necessary to navigate a traditional time-speed-distance (TSD) automobile rally. The design and implementation is based on specifications outlined by Clarence Westburg and Rich Bireta, commonly known as the Simple Rally Computer or its acronym SRC. The Users Manual is available on the app detail page linked at http://www.msyapps.com.
A TSD rally is comprised of stages set along a route defined by written instructions. The first stage is the Odometer Check stage that allows you to calibrate your car’s odometer with that of the Rally Master’s odometer.
In later stages you will follow a course at a particular average speed that will change from time to time at places that are generally unknown in advance.
In order to drive the course at the prescribed speeds. Odometer measurement is obtained from Apple’s GPS receiver or third-party devices via Bluetooth.
The GPS Rally Computer allows you to do all this and much, much more. For additional documentation, download the User’s Guide.
Features of the GPS Rally Computer:
- Clock time in either minutes and seconds to tenths of a second or decimal minutes to thousandths of a minute
- The clock is a 24-hour clock to simplify computations
- Distance measurements in either miles or kilometers to either two- or three-digit precision
- One button click to reset default conditions for starting a rally
- The internal computer clock can be adjusted to match the official rally clock
- The distance between the GPS receiver and the position on the car where the rally measurements are taken (the front wheels, for example) can be added for improved distance precision
- A "sprocket" button in the top menu bar allows access to the app settings from within the running application including settings for display of certain items
- Calibrate the cars odometer to the official rally odometer on the odometer check stage via a popup
- Change average speed (CAST) on a custom popup keypad
- Preselect the next CAST to simplify the process of changing speed on each stage and setting CAST to zero for transit zones
- As time passes and as the cars odometer is incremented, the actual speed over the course is compared with the expected speed. The difference in seconds or hundredths of a minute is displayed along with an indication to either “Early” or “Late” to stay on pace.
- Time errors may be displayed in either of two modes selectable in the app Settings
- Pause or Gain time or take a Time Allowance on any leg or within a transit zone
- Handle off-course corrections to time and distance with a Reverse button
- Record "splits" of time and error at any time with a Split button
- Record "control" and reset time error and distance to zero and increment next starting time 5 minutes later (distance and time are modifiable) with a Control button.
- Set next starting time for the Next CAST and have the time tick down on the master clock and autostart CAST, or override with a manual button click
- Optionally, use a Dual GPS receiver via Bluetooth to supplement or substitute for the Apple internal GPS
- Connects to TSD Remote app that serves as a drivers heads-up display connected via local network.
Note: Use of the GPS Rally Computer during any particular rally will be subject to the rules and instructions governing the rally and may also define your category or class among race participants. Some rallies may, in fact, prohibit use of this app.
This app has been tested with Bluetooth connectivity to a Dual XGPS150A Universal GPS Receiver.
Disclaimer: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.