Race Control Instructions

Welcome to RKRC Race Control! This tool helps manage RC racing events with or without a steward. Below are instructions on how to use the program.

Getting Started - Single Device Mode

Choose Mode: From the home page, select "Race with a Steward" for controlled races or "Race without a Steward" for automated flag clearing with random delays.
Set Race Duration: Select the desired race time from the dropdown menu before starting the race.
Practice Mode: Enable Practice Mode to run a race without a countdown timer; flags will still work.
Set Race Announcer: Select the desired announcer voice from the dropdown menu before starting the race.
Start the Race: Click the "Start Race" button to begin. You’ll hear "Start your engines" followed by 4 beeps, and a final start beep signals the race start.

Choose Multi-Device Mode: From the home page, select "Race Director" to control the race or "Spectator View" to observe the race status in real-time across multiple devices.
Race Director Setup: As a director, you'll need to authenticate with a password (provided by the race organizer) when accessing the "Race Director" page. Once authenticated, you can control the race similar to single-device mode, and your actions will be broadcast to all connected spectators.
Spectator Setup: As a spectator, select "Spectator View" and enter a name (optional). You'll see the race status, timer, and flags in real-time as updated by the director. You can toggle audio announcements on or off.
Connection Status: Both directors and spectators will see a connection status bar at the top of the page indicating if they are connected and, for directors, if they are authenticated.

Timer: The countdown timer displays the remaining race time. Audio cues play at key intervals (e.g., every minute starting from 1 minute, and at 30 seconds remaining).
Yellow Flag: Click "Yellow Flag" to signal caution (background turns yellow). Click "Clear Yellow Flag" to return to green. In "No Steward" mode, clearing has a random delay of 3-6 seconds after a "Get Ready" sound.
Red Flag: Click "Red Flag" to stop the race (background turns red, timer pauses). Click "Clear Red Flag" to resume. In "No Steward" mode, clearing has a random delay of 3-6 seconds after a "Get Ready" sound.

Race Director Control: Directors control the race as in single-device mode. Actions like starting the race, toggling flags, or changing announcer voice are broadcast to all connected spectators in real-time.
Spectator View: Spectators see the race timer, flag status, and background color updates synchronized with the director's actions. Audio announcements can be enabled or disabled via a checkbox.
Connected Devices: Directors can see a list of connected devices (spectators and themselves) to monitor participation.

Race End: When the timer reaches 0, the race ends with a final sound, and a checkerboard background appears. In multi-device mode, this is synchronized across all connected devices.
Restart: Click "Restart" at any time to reset the race or to start a new race. In multi-device mode, this action by the director resets the state for all spectators.
Home: Click "Home" at any time to stop everything and take you back to the main menu. Note: In multi-device mode, directors leaving the page may disrupt the race for spectators.

For races without a steward, the random delay in clearing flags adds unpredictability to simulate a real race steward.
For races with a steward, the steward will determine when the flag goes green.
In multi-device mode, ensure a stable internet connection for real-time synchronization between director and spectators.
Your device's screen will stay on while a race is running, so be sure to have a good charge.
Ensure your device volume is on to hear audio cues, especially for spectators who have enabled audio announcements.
At the end of each race, a summary of flags thrown will be displayed.
If you have questions, contact the race organizer.