With a pure PN chart, one missing racer really doesn't raise many eyebrows, since everyone races that "missing car" the same number of times. The effect on accuracy is small. In fact, I'd prefer a PN chart with a missing car to a PPN chart that was fully populated.Pinewood Daddy wrote:How does that work if a couple of kids don't race?? It always seems to happen. Then you have to rerun the chart. That eliminates the possibility of printing a huge chart for the wall.
But with a missing car from a PPN chart, there appears to be more source for inaccuracy, because of the (limited) imbalance in opposition. I have not "done the math" to prove one way or the other, but I think that PPN chart with a missing car loses about the same amount accuracy as a PN chart with a missing car, i. e. not much loss.
Now, I've not run races using software or computer projection. It has been that many years! But I did run with overhead projection of computer printed transparencies. In fact, score was kept on those transparencies so everyone could see that it was being done correctly. For some races, the entire chart was projected on one screen. Then, it was easy to see who was coming when. Bigger charts were a problem.
If you have the ability to bring a printer along with your computer, then you are "in" ... just print and post the schedule after the nose count is finalized and the heat schedule generated. Even print several copies if there are lots of people who will want to look at them.
It is important that folks be able to anticipate when their "rug rat" will be racing. Otherwise, Murphy's Law clearly dictates that their little one's race will occur shortly after the parent has entered the washroom!