Baja SAE Technical Bulletin 2018-2: Endurance Backup Lap Counting using RFID Tags

Introduction This bulletin will cover: Technology improvements being made for counting Endurance event laps Information about the RFID tags that we will use How to mount your tag on your car and when to have completed that

What is Changing? We’re working to improve the reliability of Endurance lap counting The MyLaps Transponder system works great, except when: Teams forget to charge their transponder adequately before the event Transponder falls off during Endurance or stops being picked up Scoring detects laps for a non-registered transponder that we cannot track down This year the NTI scoring group will be utilizing both the MyLaps Transponder system AND a secondary RFID- based system (in addition to manual lap counters) to get the most accurate lap counts possible during the Endurance event

What Does My Team Need To Do? At your first competition this year, SAE will issue your team an RFID tag. Your team will keep this tag and use it at ALL future competitions This tag must be installed, facing outward, on the Right side RHO adjacent to point BR This tag must be installed on your car at the Brake Check area and will be associated with your car at Brake Check. RFID Tag Area

How Do We Mount the RFID Tag? Acceptable mounting methods: Bolted to the frame member Riveted to the frame member Zip tied to the frame member What is the required orientation? The tag needs to be close to “horizontal”(The axis formed by connecting the the mounting holes must be parallel to the ground) The tag needs to “face” outward, away from the center line of the car Tag may not be covered by any material, especially metallic or conductive materials that would interfere with its ability to be read Dimensions in mm

Can We Customize Our RFID Tag? Teams are permitted to paint their tag if desired All other modifications are prohibited

Summary We’re adding RFID Tag lap counting to our conventional methods to improve accuracy Especially in cases that render Transponders unable to help us Get your team’s tag at Brake Check Mount it horizontally, on driver’s right side RHO, facing outward Install it at Brake Check KEEP the tag and have it installed for all future competitions