Installing the Alpha Timing System

Initial Installation

The first time you ever install the Alpha Timing System it will need to be configured and connected to your account by a member of the Alpha Team. The Alpha Timing System is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers.

The minimum specifications are:

• Windows 10 or 11
• Intel i5 or AMD Razen 5
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB SSD
• a Network port
• Screen capable of 1366 x 768, but preferably of 1920 x 1080 or larger.

Note: A Solid State Drive (SSD) is essential as Hard Disk Drives (HDD) are often too slow to accurately record the Timing Data.

The Timing PC should not be used for anything else other than timing events and should not have any third-party antivirus products that may interfere with the proper functioning of the Timing Application. The PC should only have one User Account that is used for operating the timing as duplicate accounts will affect the software's licence and database. 

The latest version of the software can be found on our downloads page. Use of the software requires a licence and access code. Please speak to a member of the Support Team to obtain this.

Once the timing software is installed you will see a setup page. If this new PC is replacing an existing Alpha timing PC you can skip this process and use a timing database backup from your existing Alpha Timing app. You can also skip this step if you are using the PC as a Results PC (see below). 

Otherwise select Competition Racing, Rental Karting or both and input the settings you have been provided by the Support Team. 

Before you can use the Timing you must also Configure:

• at least one track
• your Classes (for Competition Racing) or Kart Types (Rental Karting) and Garage (if using fixed transponders).
• the default Import Settings (for Competition Racing only)
• Your Decoder's connection settings

Installing the Timing as a “Results PC”

The Timing System can be run on two computers on the same local network which will allow you to have two people using the system at once i.e. one Timekeeper and one Results Administrator. This is primarily used for Clubs to reduce the workload of the Timekeeper. Install the latest version of the software on the second computer which can be found here. Once installed you will need a to enter a licence key. Please speak to a member of the Support Team to obtain this.

Once you have loaded the application click "Skip" on the First time setup screen. 

On the settings page (Gear icon) and on the General tab change the Connection options to say "Allow me to select the timing computer".

If you want to be able to control the timing from either computer, tick the “Full control when remote” box. Then close the Timing App. 

The next time you load the Timing system on the PC you will see the following options

Clicking the blue box with the name and IP address of the timing PC will connect this results PC to the timing PC. You will then be able to re-issue results or apply penalties without disturbing the Timekeeper.

If you don't see a box for the timing PC, check the Timing PC is on and running the timing application. Also check that both computers are on the same network and that the network is set to private.

Creating a Timing Database Backup

We recommend you back up your Timing Database regularly to prevent any loss of data. This backup should be stored on a USB drive and preferably a separate copy on a cloud based storage service like Dropbox, Google Driver or iCloud. All of your timing data is stored in this database and is not stored on our servers or on the results website. The results website is just a copy of the information from your Timing Laptop and cannot be used to repair a damaged or lost database. 

If you upgrade your computer or change it to a different PC you can install the software and transfer the database and its settings from your old computer over to your new computer. Please see the Changing the Alpha Timing PC article before doing so.