ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE BRAC CHIP-TIMING SYSTEM
January 28, 2013

As of January 22, 2013, the Board of Directors has elected to discontinue the use of the BRAC – D&L Sound Chip Timing System in light of recent circumstances that impact the price, support, production and provision of equipment necessary to maintain the system. In late November, 2012, Orion, the French company who manufactures the system, hardware and software, sold the distribution rights to their product to a Belgian company, and released their North American representative from his contract.

Since its inception, our chip-timing efforts have been compromised by technical issues (including those with power and radio frequencies), faulty equipment, and compounded by errors in race registration. Many of these issues have been addressed and improved in the last two years. Our intention, in accordance with the direction provided by the Club Council at our December Annual Meeting, was to re-deploy the timing system in a more efficient manner. However, the change in ownership and distribution of the system, which includes a price increase of nearly 300% for replacement chips, represents an expense that would severely impact the cost of promotion and participation in our races, and compromise the long-term financial health of our organization.

BRAC will continue to work with local service providers and our promoters to ensure the use of appropriate technology (which may include high-speed cameras and race-day chips as offered by professional timing companies) to provide accurate race results as well as a safe and positive racing experience to our members. Racing policy for Cup contests further defines requirements for Gold, Silver and Bronze events to ensure these races meet out standards and expectations.

We appreciate your cooperation over the last two years in our efforts to improve the sport for our athletes, officials, and event directors. We would also like to thank Doug Ashbaugh, Clint Bickmore, Yvonne van Gent, Chris McGee, and our officials for their dedication and thorough efforts in deploying and maintaining this system for the time that it was in use.