Targa Florio Running Stages

The theory behind running Targa Florio stages with PAVAS is outlined in the Targa Florio Stage Parameters page and is the foundation for this description.

Run Stage

The menu for running aTarga Florio Stage is simple called Targa Florio Run Stage. The first prompt shows that a stage can be run in on of four modes. The next display is a menu that allows the stage number to be selected. The initial value for this menu is the last stage that was selected. This allows the stage to be rerun or to advance to the next stage number. Pressing the Select button shows the stage mode. If the Stage Mode is zero, the the mode has not been selected for the stage. To accept the current mode press the Select button. The mode can be changed with the Up/Down buttons and then selected with the Select button.

In the case of Modes one and two, the Select button then starts the stage. In the cases of Mode three and four, the distance menu is displayed. At this time the distance can be changed. Once the distance is correct, the Select button will now start the stage.

PC Stages Start

The start of first three modes is the same. The vehicle approaches the pneumatic timing tube at any speed and the navigator presses the Select/Reliability (S/R) button when he estimates the tube has been crossed.

Mode 1

This mode is a simple timer and after it is started, no further input is required from the navigator. He can arbitrarily press the S/R button at the finish of the stage to get an estimated time but this is not required. The driver will hear no sounds until half the stage time has been expended. Then tones will sound indicating the time remaining. Five seconds before the stage time ends, a warble will sound for one second. Then the tones revert to indicate the time remaining.

Mode 2

This mode is used the measure the unknown dimensions of the stage. This measurement process commences when the navigator presses the S/R Button at the start of the stage. A driver is alerted to this action by a beep. PAVAS does not emit any further sounds until the navigator presses the S/R button at the end of the outbound leg. Another beep is sounded and then PAVAS performs a calculation of the total stage distance. From that value , it then computes the average speed required, using the Stage Time and this average is used in the Null Guidance algorithm to guide the vehicle speed. The navigator can arbitrarily press the S/R button at the finish of the stage to get an estimated time but this is not required. During the stage, PAVAS displays the speed and the Distance To the Destination (DTD) and a groups of three indicators to show speed increase, speed hold and speed decrease. This display is designed to aid the navigator.

Mode 3

This is the most preferable mode to operate in since it provides driver feedback over the whole stage. When the navigator presses the S/R button, PAVAS computes the average speed required from the outbound leg distance and the BUT distance. It immediately starts the Null Guidance tones to allow the driver to reach the required average speed for the stage. At the end of the stage, the navigator can press the S/R button display an estimated elapsed time. The official time is measured by the pneumatic tubes and the timing circuits. The navigator can arbitrarily press the S/R button at the finish of the stage to get an estimated time but this is not required. During the stage, PAVAS displays the speed and the Distance To the Destination (DTD) and a group of three indicators to show speed increase, speed hold and speed decrease. This display is designed to aid the navigator.

Mode 4

This mode, known as Time Control(TC) or PM ,is used measure the elapsed time to drive a known distance. Both the time and distance are provided. The stage starts when a Time Card is handed to the Time Keeper. The card is marked and returned to vehicle. The start of the stage is commenced by the navigator pressing the S/R button. PAVAS commences to calculate the required average speed and the compares it to the required average speed. PAVAS then generates Null Guidance tones to provide feedback to the driver. The navigator can arbitrarily press the S/R button at the finish of the stage to get an estimated time but this is not required. During the stage, PAVAS displays the speed and the Distance To the Destination (DTD) and a group of three indicators to show arrows to increase the speed, hold the speed or decrease the speed. This display is designed to aid the navigator. TC's may have a break in the middle of the stage where lunch or some other activity may occur. PAVAS keeps track of the time and distance so that when the motion resumes, the average speed is constantly recalculated.

Rotating Display Modes

At assist the navigator, PAVAS generates a rotating display of the stage parameters. These are tailored to each mode and can include Average Speed, Required Speed , Distance to Destination, Distance from Start and Time to Destination. The display changes parameter every two seconds. This can be manually overwritten by the navigator by pressing the Left and Right buttons to advance or retard the display. When a button is pressed the display dwell time is doubled, so that readings can be easily monitored. The manual override is not active in the Demonstration mode.