Adrenaline

Early Access Feature

Basic Races are currently in development and not yet fully available to the public. This documentation describes the planned functionality for this upcoming feature.

Basic Races provide a quick, simplified way to run races on the fly using just your phone. No formal event setup required—just start a race, have riders join via QR code, and time them using your phone's camera. Perfect for casual practice days, impromptu competitions, or testing the Adrenaline platform.

What is a Basic Race?

A Basic Race is a streamlined, non-sanctioned racing format designed for quick, informal competitions. Unlike formal events, you don't need to create classes, set up registration, or configure complex event details.

Key Characteristics

Start anytime: No event setup or pre-registration required
QR code join: Riders scan a code to join the race
Phone timing: Use your phone's camera pointed at the finish line
Non-sanctioned: Results don't affect ratings or official standings
Practice-friendly: Perfect for casual riding days

Important: Basic Races appear in racers' history but are marked as non-sanctioned. They don't contribute to Elo ratings, series points, or official race records.

When to Use Basic Races

Practice days: Track your riders during practice sessions without formal event setup
Impromptu competitions: Someone challenges you to a race—start one immediately
Testing equipment: Try out timing methods or camera angles before a real event
Club rides: Add friendly competition to casual riding days
Training tracking: Record lap times for training purposes
Demo/trial: Show potential racers how Adrenaline works without committing to a full event

When NOT to use Basic Races: For official competitions, sanctioned events, series races, or anything that should count toward ratings or championships, create a formal event instead.

How to Run a Basic Race

Step 1: Start the Race

From the Adrenaline app, navigate to Basic Races and tap Start New Race. You'll be able to start immediately—no event creation or class setup required.

Give your race a simple name (e.g., "Saturday Morning Practice" or "450 Class Fun Race")

Step 2: Riders Join via QR Code

Once the race is started, a unique QR code is generated. Riders simply:

Scan the QR code with their phone
Enter their name and number plate
Tap "Join Race"

You can display the QR code on your phone, tablet, or even print it out for riders to scan in staging

Step 3: Set Up Camera Timing

Position your phone's camera to capture the finish line:

Mount or hold your phone with a clear view of the finish line
The camera should capture riders crossing the line
Adrenaline uses the camera feed to record crossing times

Tip: Use a phone mount or tripod for stability. The steadier the camera, the better the timing accuracy.

Step 4: Start the Race

When riders are ready, tap Start Race. Timing begins immediately. Riders cross the finish line and their times are automatically recorded via the camera.

Step 5: Finish and Review Results

Once all riders have finished:

Tap End Race
Review the recorded times and finishing order
Results are saved to each racer's history (marked as non-sanctioned)

Features of Basic Races

Phone-Based Timing

Your phone's camera serves as the timing system. When riders cross the finish line, the system records the crossing time automatically. No external timing hardware required.

QR Code Registration

Riders join by scanning a QR code—no pre-registration, no accounts required (though having an Adrenaline account links results to their profile).

Instant Start

Skip the event creation workflow entirely. Start a race in seconds, perfect for spontaneous competitions or practice tracking.

Non-Sanctioned Status

All basic races are marked as non-sanctioned. They appear in rider history for reference but don't affect ratings, rankings, or official records.

Results History

Even though basic races are non-sanctioned, results are saved. Riders can view their lap times, finishing positions, and compare performance over time.

Basic Race vs. Formal Event

Feature	Basic Race	Formal Event
Setup Time	Instant (seconds)	Requires planning
Registration	QR code scan	Online pre-registration
Timing Method	Phone camera	Multiple options available
Sanctioned	No	Yes
Affects Ratings	No	Yes
Series Points	No	Yes (if part of series)
Best For	Practice, casual	Competition, official

Best Practices

Stable camera placement: Use a mount or tripod to keep your phone steady during the race.
Clear finish line view: Position the camera to clearly capture riders crossing the line.
Test before racing: Do a quick test run to ensure the camera captures crossings properly.
Display QR prominently: Make it easy for riders to find and scan the QR code.
Announce non-sanctioned status: Let riders know this is a practice/fun race, not official competition.
Save battery: Ensure your phone is charged—camera timing can drain battery quickly.
Have backup: If camera timing fails, you can always switch to manual scoring.

Racer History

Even though Basic Races are non-sanctioned, they still provide value:

Clearly Marked

In a racer's race history, basic races are clearly labeled as "Non-Sanctioned" or "Basic Race" so there's no confusion with official results.

Training Data

Riders can track lap times, compare performance across practice sessions, and analyze improvement over time—even without official ratings.

Reference for Improvement

Basic race results serve as benchmarks. Riders can see how they're progressing in practice before stepping up to sanctioned competition.

Common Questions

Do I need to create an event first?

No. Basic Races are completely standalone. You start a race directly without any event setup.

Do riders need an Adrenaline account to join?

No account is required to join a basic race via QR code. However, if riders have an Adrenaline account and are logged in when they join, their results will be automatically linked to their profile.

Will basic race results affect my Elo rating?

No. Basic races are non-sanctioned and do not affect Elo ratings, leaderboards, or any official rankings.

Can I use basic races for series points?

No. Basic races cannot be part of a series and do not award points. For series racing, create a formal event.

What happens if the camera timing fails?

You can switch to manual scoring at any time. Enter finishing positions manually and finalize the results just like any other race.

Can I delete basic race results?

Yes. Since basic races are non-sanctioned and informal, results can be deleted if needed. Contact support for assistance.

How many riders can join a basic race?

There's no hard limit, but basic races work best for smaller groups (under 20 riders). For larger fields, consider creating a formal event with proper class structure.

Is there any cost to run basic races?

Pricing details for basic races haven't been announced. They may be included with Adrenaline accounts or available at a reduced rate compared to formal events.

Running a Basic Race