Method and device for gauging distance between race cars

• US 6,456,904 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2001
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Gay
• Original Assignee: Robert Gay
• Inventors: Gay, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US09/951,989
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/93, 104/60, 104/140, 104/242, 104/53, 702/178, 324/178, 188/2.R, 188/32
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/114 Racing vehicles, e.g. Formula one, Karts
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/167 Control of land vehicles

Abstract

A method and apparatus for winning a race without exceeding a maximum performance of a car, whereby maximum performance is based upon consecutive prior races. The method is comprised of determining an optimal distance by which a first car having a first performance should trail a second car having a second performance at a predetermined distance of 66 feet from a finish line on a race track having a fixed distance of 1320 feet whereby a racer uses optimal distance during a race to influence his or her rate of speed.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing a race car driver'"'"'s ability to win a race without exceeding a maximum performance of a car, comprising:

determining an optimal distance by which a first car having a first performance should trail a second car having a second performance at a predetermined distance from a finish line on a race track having a fixed distance; and

using said optimal distance during a race to influence a racer'"'"'s, speed at such predetermined distance in order to win the race.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a maximum performance of said cars is predetermined to be at a unit of measure different than a predetermined unit of measure for said race track and determining said optimal distance comprises:

(A) multiplying maximum performance in distance traveled over time of said first car by a multiplier to determine maximum performance in distance traveled over time having a common unit of measure with said race track;

(B) multiplying maximum performance in distance traveled over time of said second car by said multiplier to determine maximum performance in distance traveled over time having a common unit of measure with said race track; and

wherein said second car is slower than said first car;

(C) dividing said predetermined distance from said finish line on said track by said maximum performance of said second car from step (B) to determine a time in which said second car should take to reach said finish line on said race track; and

(D) multiplying said time from step (C) by said maximum performance of said first car to determine the distance said first car will travel and then subtracting said predetermined distance from said finish line to determine a distance which said first car should trail said second car to win said race without exceeding said cars'"'"' said maximum performances.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said race car driver uses said optimal distance determined at said predetermined distance from said finish line to influence said racer'"'"'s speed at said predetermined distance to win said race without exceeding the car'"'"'s maximum performance.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein maximum performances of said cars are initially in miles per hour and said race track is measured in feet and wherein said steps are characterized as follows:

(A) multiplying said maximum performance in miles per hour of said first car by a multiplier to determine maximum performance in feet per second of said first car;

(B) multiplying said maximum performance in miles per hour of said second car, wherein said second car is slower than said first car;

(C) dividing said predetermined distance from said finish line on said race track in feet by said maximum performance in feet per second of said second car to determine a time in seconds which said second car should take to reach said finish line on said race track; and

(D) multiplying said time from step (C) by said maximum performance in feet per second of said first car to determine the distance in feet said first car will travel and then subtracting said predetermined distance from said finish line in feet to determine a distance in feet which said first car should trail said second car to win said race without exceeding said cars'"'"'said maximum performances.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein calculating said maximum performance for said first car consists of averaging past single race maximum performances from at least one most recent prior race.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein calculating said maximum performance in feet per second of said second car consists of averaging past single race maximum performances from at least one most recent prior race.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said multiplier is 1.466 (hours per mile multiplied by feet per second) and said predetermined distance from said finish line is 66 feet and said race track is 1,320 feet long.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein calculating said past single race maximum performances consists of determining a rate of time by which said first car traveled a race track having a fixed distance.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein calculating said past single race maximum performances consists of determining a rate by which said second car traveled a race track having a fixed distance.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein consecutive prior races are utilized.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein consecutive prior races are utilized.

12. A computing-based device to be used by racers for enhancing a race car driver'"'"'s ability to win a race without exceeding a car'"'"'s maximum performance, comprising:

means for obtaining a maximum performance of a first car;

means for obtaining a maximum performance of a second car;

means for determining an optimal distance said second car should trail said first car based on a predetermined distance from a finish line on a race track having a fixed distance and said second car having a lower maximum performance than said first car; and

means for displaying said optional distance.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said optimal distance determined at said predetermined distance from said finish line influences a racer'"'"'s speed at said predetermined distance to win said race without exceeding the car'"'"'s maximum performance.

14. A chart device to be used by racers for enhancing a race car driver'"'"'s ability to win a race without exceeding a car'"'"'s maximum performance, comprising:

means for indicating a maximum performance of a first car;

means for indicating a maximum performance of a second car, wherein an optimal distance said second car should trail said first car, based on a predetermined distance from a finish line on a race track having a fixed distance, and said second car having a lower maximum performance than said fist car, can be determined once said maximum performance of sad first car and said second car have been indicated; and

means for displaying said optimal distance as a function of using said maximum performances.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said optimal distance determined at said predetermined distance from said finish line influences a racer'"'"'s speed at said predetermined distance to win said race without exceeding the car'"'"'s maximum performance.