GNCC Series opts for new scoring system

In a move designed to improve accuracy and race flow, the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series will use transponder scoring this year.

Replacing the bar code scoring system, transponders will work in conjunction with the new live timing and scoring broadcast on the official GNCC website http://www.gnccracing.com/.

“Transponder scoring is a major step up for the series,” says GNCC trail boss Jeff Russell. “The system will reduce bottlenecks in the woods and the finish line, and it should be more accurate than scanning bar codes each lap.

“In addition, fans will love live timing and scoring direct from the track. We think it’s the next step for the series.”

Finding an affordable transponder system that was durable enough to withstand the mud, sand, water and dust that comes with GNCC racing took a lot of time. Transponder testing in the GNCC began in the late 1990 and the series eventually settled on Sport Tag transponders.

“It took nearly 10 years to find a transponder that could perform accurately and reliably at the GNCCs without costing too much,” says Kirk Sessions, a former racer who helped choose the new scoring system. “For $60, the Sport Tag transponder can easily match the performance of transponders costing nearly five times as much.”

GNCC racers can purchase the transponder for $60, or rent them for $10 per race with a $50 deposit that will be refunded when the transponder is returned.

GNCC will be using the Sport-TAG–XC model. The unit is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system and has a two-year warranty, and will not require a battery charge for two years.

By purchasing a new satellite Internet system that allows high-speed internet access from the track, the GNCC scoring software can now link to live timing and scoring on gnccracing.com throughout the weekend. Fans around the world will be able to follow their favorite racers by checking lap times on the web.

The 2008 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series kicks off with the Triton GNCC in Melbourne, Fla. on March 1 to 4.