Here are some tips and suggestions for using an analog stopwatch with a rotating countdown bezel in the Great Race. Historically, rotating bezels have been used for watch synchronization and elapsed time measurements. Diver’s watches popularized the use of elapsed-time rotating bezels for time-of-day watches. However, by their nature, stopwatches are elapsed-time measuring instruments, making an elapsed-time bezel redundant.
A countdown bezel provides much more function than an elapsed-time bezel for the Great Race and other rallies. It directly answers the prevailing question: How much time remains?
Why Use an Analog Stopwatch in the Great Race?
People often ask why use an analog stopwatch in the Great Race when digital stopwatches are now allowed. The answer is simple: The visual information provided by a moving second-hand is much more valuable than the perceived higher accuracy of a digital stopwatch.
For a 21.5-second countdown, rotating the bezel to 21.5 seconds allows one to see the remaining seconds of a countdown visually. It is much quicker and is less prone to error. A digital stopwatch performing the same function requires mental calculations and your full attention.
A good, reliable, analog (mechanical) stopwatch is highly accurate for measurements from a few seconds to 10 minutes or more. Most have guaranteed accuracy of half a second per hour. Since the majority of rally-related stopwatch measurements are under one or two minutes, the human error induced when hitting the start and stop buttons outweighs any perceived accuracy improvement of a quartz digital electronic stopwatch.
Here are some of the more common stopwatch applications in the Great Race and how an analog stopwatch with a rotating countdown bezel can improve your performance:
- Pause Time Countdown
- Timed Speed Changes
- Running Early/Late Adjustments
- Transit Time Countdown
- Speedometer Calibration
Pause Time Countdown
The most common use of a stopwatch in the Great Race is measuring the pause time at stop signs and traffic lights. Although the instructions typically provide a 15-second pause, the time lost when the vehicle stops and accelerates back to speed must be accounted for. Methods for determining the amount of time lost include using performance tables and half-speed interval (splits) measurements. Whichever method you prefer, providing a countdown to begin accelerating is critical.
If you use a performance table indicating a loss of 6.5 seconds for the stop/start speeds, then rotate the bezel to 8.5 seconds (15 minus 6.5). The red portion of the countdown bezel now provides an easily readable countdown.
When using the half-speed split method, you need to have an estimate for the time required to achieve the outbound half-speed. If your estimate is 4 seconds, then rotate the bezel to 11 seconds (15 minus 4). The red portion of the countdown bezel now provides an easily readable countdown. When the outbound half-speed is achieved, hit the stop button to determine your actual pause time, and how much it differs from the instructed 15-second pause.
Timed Speed Changes
A stopwatch is vital when executing timed speed change instructions in the Great Race. A typical instruction of this type might be: go 30MPH for 36 seconds, then go 40MPH. Some teams might countdown to 36 seconds with the driver attempting to split the difference when 36 seconds have elapsed. Others might prefer to begin this speed change after 34 seconds have elapsed to account for the vehicle’s performance. Rotate the bezel to your desired time increments (36 or 34), and the red portion now provides an easily readable countdown.
Instructions with multiple timed speed changes are also common. For instance, it might say to go 30MPH for 36 seconds, then go 40MPH for 45 seconds, then go 50MPH. The first portion would be executed as described in the above paragraph. Using either the stopwatch face or the bezel, it is easy to determine the next speed change should be executed at 1 minute 21 seconds (1 minute 19 seconds if 2 seconds for acceleration is being used). Rotate the bezel to this location to provide a countdown for the next speed change.
Running Early/Late Adjustments
The navigator is responsible for keeping track of the team’s time status throughout the stage. Turns, pauses, speed changes, speedometer errors, road traffic, and other events all impact whether the team is running early, late, or on time. When the navigator determines a time adjustment (correction) is needed, then the rotating bezel can provide a countdown to the end of the correction time.
The 10% time adjustment rule is used by many teams. If you lost 2.5 seconds on the last turn, then you can regain that loss by driving 10% faster than the assigned speed for 25 seconds. The countdown bezel can easily accommodate this or any other interval.
Transit Time Countdown
Whether you measure transit times with a stopwatch, a time-of-day clock, or both, a countdown to your exit time is critical. A common example would be a 10-minute transit with an out speed of 40MPH. If your vehicle loses 6 seconds when accelerating from 0 to 40, then you need to reduce your transit time by 6 seconds. If using a stopwatch for the full 10-minute transit, then rotate the bezel to 54 seconds on the stopwatch face. After 9 minutes have elapsed, you now have a 54-second countdown to begin your acceleration to 40MPH.
Alternatively, you can use your time of day clock to measure the first 9 minutes, then start your stopwatch for the last minute. Again, the countdown bezel provides a countdown for you to leave 6 seconds early.
Speedometer Calibration
The stopwatch plays an important role during the daily speedometer calibration segment on the Great Race. This is the part of the rally where a stopwatch capable of providing a split-time reading is desirable, although not required. The speedometer calibration run is typically 20 minutes or longer with a dozen or more interval readings along the way. The start/stop function on any stopwatch will provide a reading for the total elapsed time, which can then be compared to the official rally elapsed time to determine the extent of your speedometer error.
If your stopwatch can perform split times, then taking the interval readings can be easily accomplished. If your stopwatch does not have a split function, then the driver should say “mark” each time the front wheels cross the referenced sign. This allows the navigator to focus on the stopwatch to read and record the cumulative elapsed time.
The instructions provide both an interval and cumulative elapsed time between each reading. By rotating the bezel to the official elapsed time of the upcoming reading, the navigator can visually determine if the vehicle is running early, late, or on time at each intermediate reading.
Combine with a Master Time Rally Clock
The analog stopwatch combined with a time-of-day rally clock having a rotating bezel, provides a pair of timing devices that will enhance and elevate your Great Race experience and performance.
Rally Clocks by Bowport manufactures and sells clocks, stopwatches, and accessories for the Great Race and other rally events.
The Master Time Rally Clock includes a unique rotating count-up/countdown bezel. It features a Seiko SKP quartz movement, hackable sweeping second hand with on/off switch, Flieger pilot-style design, 2-tier layered high-contrast 6″ dial, 7″ bezel, 2″ depth, and weighs 16 ounces. Velcro mounting is preferred for rally vehicles, although the clock also includes a tabletop stand for non-vehicle use. Four different models are available.
The Analog Stopwatch assembly includes: 1) a new (in the box) EAI 50mm, 13-jewel 2-button mechanical analog stopwatch with 60-second sweep, 1/5 second markings, 30-minute register, and a stainless steel case; 2) a custom 3-color rotating countdown bezel; 3) a custom stopwatch case; 4) and three Heuer Sebring compatible mounting plates providing multiple mounting angles and options.
Resources and Links
- The Rally Clocks Shop is where you can purchase a 2″ (50mm) Analog Stopwatch with a countdown bezel and/or a 6″ Master Time Rally Clock with a dual-function countdown/up bezel
- Rally Clock With Rotating Bezel: Application Notes
- The Great Race
- The Argument For More Countdown Bezels: The Countdown Bezel Makes My Life Easier. So Why Don’t More Watches Have Them? by Logan Baker, published February 2, 2022 at Hokindee
- More Great Race and Rally Articles
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