DerbyNet is the new standard in race management for pinewood derby and similar events.
If you're using something else, you, and your audience, are missing out.
DerbyNet is built around a web server backed by a database and the DerbyNet software, hosted either
- locally on a laptop or computer on site, or
- running in the cloud and accessible via the internet.
Other displays and stations just use a browser to interact with the web server.
A typical DerbyNet deployment might have:
Laptops or tablets at the check-in desk updating the state of the roster in the database in real time;
One or more stations capturing photos of racers and/or race cars;
A main race display projected onto a large screen showing the entrants in the current heat and the heat results;
An event dashboard running on the race coordinator's tablet, from which s/he can see the overall state of the event, control information displays, generate racing schedules, and directly control racing by group;
DerbyTimer, a small cross-platform program forming the link between the track timer and the web server.
A webcam capturing video for an "instant replay" that runs immediately upon each heat's finish.
Smart TVs acting as supplemental information displays ("kiosks" or digital signage) providing additional race details and statistics, updated in real time.
Comprehensive Features
DerbyNet is:
Free: There's nothing to pay for. There are no licensing costs or subscription fees, no payments at all.
Distributed: Support as many check-in stations as you need, and as many information presentations. Computers, tablets, laptops, TV displays, or even phones connect to a small, local web server, running on one laptop or computer, to access live race information. The web server can even be hosted on a Raspberry Pi for a truly turn-key set-up!
Multi-platform: Anything that has a browser can connect to DerbyNet: smart TVs, laptops, tablets, you name it. The DerbyNet web server itself can be hosted on Mac, Windows, or Linux, and requires minimal computational resources.
Open Source: If you'd like the software to work a little differently, or look a little differently, you're welcome to change it. (Some skill required, but not necessarily a lot.)
DerbyNet offers a wide range of features and capabilities, many not found elsewhere:
Multiple displays, simultaneously presenting different information to the audience, all controlled from one tablet-friendly dashboard.
Integrated photo capture at the check-in/registration station.
Race Scheduling using Young and Pope "Partial Perfect-N" charts
Automatically calculates standings and results, updated in real time.
Special "On Deck" display to help your car wranglers get ahead of the action.
Real-time updates for check-in progress, including a "Please Check-In" display identifying who's yet to check in
A slideshow display continuously updated as more racers check in.
An award presentation display including car and racer photos
Easy export of results to spreadsheet form.
