TrakMate drag racing timing system comes in two versions. The low cost version comes with four sensors, two per lane for start and finish lines. It has an on screen tree but does not support an external tree. The Pro version comes with ten sensors that's five per lane it also includes the hardware to support an external 12 volt tree. Simply connect wires from lights to the terminal block. See diagram below of sensors.

There is also a new and much improved Windows version of the Drag Pro available - details

Download Demos
Demo programs will simulate races.  

Drag Racing Pro Demo May 2001 - file size 100k June 2001

Drag Racing Pictures

HO Drag Racing Tracks 
1/24 Scale Drag Racing Tracks

 TrakMate Drag Racing

Features:

• No need for an expensive computer
• Requires an IBM XT compatible or better 386, 486, pentium (no hard drive required) or Laptop
• 1/1000 second resolution
• Supports on screen Pro Tree and Full Tree
• Supports Dial-in times for bracket racing
• Infrared sensors for accurate timing
• Diagnostic sensor test
• Displays reaction time, elapsed time and win margin
• Displays all races ran with sorting capabilities. Sort on ETs etc.
• Can customize to your needs
• Includes cable and four sensors (ten sensors on pro version)

• External tree support including win light 
• Prestage and Speed Trap sensors  plus 60' or 1/8 (10 sensors in all)
• Adjustable Pro Tree time
• Adjustable delay for Tree count down
• Speed Trap - 12" or longer
• 1/10000 of a second resolution internally
• Large display mode,  see results from 20' away
• Print slip after each race 
• Saves data to disk in text format
• Coin box optional
• Ver  2.1 AutoTree - Run races without using keyboard
  
  View Screen Shots
  Check out the pictures from Holeshot Speedway  HO scale

Select type of tree
Enter the name of each racer and their dialin if required.
Place cars on track to cover prestage sensors
Start race (hit 1 key from main menu)
After a small delay the tree will count down

1-2 --------------------------3 ---------------------------4-----5---------------

1-2 --------------------------3 ---------------------------4-----5---------------

1 = Prestage
2 = Start
3 = Intermediate time
4 = Speed Trap
5 = Finish line sensor

You can build your own tree using 12volt trailer lights. These lights come with a bracket and cost about $3.00 each. No need for any electronics. Simply connect the lights to the controller board and the common side of all the lights to the +12volt supply. You can use the PCs internal +12volts to power the lights. You can connect all 16 lights to the control board, win, prestage, stage, ambers, green and red lights are all supported.

System Requirements:

Pro version requires a 486 or better PC
Monochrome or color screen, will work on all types.
One floppy drive.
One parallel port (printer port).
DOS, Windows95, Windows98

Tree wiring Diagram
View Documentation

You can probably pick up an old IBM compatible system for free. Many companies and maybe where you work have old computers, so go and ask if they would be willing to give you one.  You can also purchase a PC with hardware and software installed for $100 from TrakMate.

Practice Tree Software and Cable for controllers
Now racers can practice their reaction time without a track!  Allows you to connect one or two controllers to the PC to practice your reaction time.   Software is similar to the Dragpro software but displays reaction time only.

Drag Racing Links

NHRA  -  Drag racing basics on this site.  Recommended reading.

HODRA - H.O. Drag Racing Association

DRS - Drag Racing Specialist