Self Timing Systems

Here's the plan.  I've bought one of these off ebay; they're only a couple of quid if you order from China and don't mind waiting a couple of weeks.

The LCD screen is on the large side, being approximately 65x40mm which should mean that I can read the numbers when the unit is strapped between my feet to the deck.  The casing will be drilled so that a wire can extend up the brake cable and connect to a rugged push switch on the brake lever mounting.  This will start-stop the timer with a push of the switch even when wearing gloves and should allow for a reasonably accurate indication of track run time.

Why?  The intention for this system is to a) allow quicker personal feedback at some of the longer runs such as Dave and Whinlatter before the relative start and end times have been compared and official times calculated, and b) allow for some personal investigation on the effectiveness of various speed tucks.  I appreciate that a whole load more information could be gathered by using GPS, but this should be a cheap and fast alternative i.e. not an issue if it falls off and breaks.

Yes, the system isn't foolproof to be used as a standard competition tool - I could easily pause the timer for a few seconds on the way down, and if this was the case, a series of relays that prevented a re-start unless the system is reset could be easily implemented.  But this isn't the point.  Unless I'm cheating myself, then the basic system as described above should do the job nicely for my own needs.

As an afterthought, my only concern is one of complexity especially on these race days when the person in front of you has set off and you have one minute to climb the ramp, strap yourself into the bindings, hold the brake lever in a position that won't get tangled up in the front trucks when setting off, start the helmet cam, ready the start-stop timing button and then pull yourself out of the starting gate without falling over.  Perhaps I should just ditch the gadgets and remember to enjoy the ride instead.