Downloading the race file
The races are run offline (see running the race for details on why and how this is). You need to download the race file for the race, because this is used as input when you run the run.
When you download the race file, the race server bundles up all the information needed including the buggies. The time you download the file matters: it’s a snapshot of the buggies that will be considered for the race. For this reason you should download the race file as soon after the start time you published.
Usually, you just need to click the blue button Download race file with (current) buggies.
The race file is actually a JSON file, and when you run the race, that process produces a new race file for you to upload containing the results.
Download options
You don’t need these if you’re simply running a race.
There may be circumstances when you want a little more control over the contents of the race file you download. Specifically, if the race has not been run but you do not want to use the server’s current buggies, you can download the race file without them. This presupposes you have the buggies available in some other form.
If you are looking at a race that has already been run, downloading the race file is a little more complicated. Ideally, you’ll have uploaded the results file after running the race — by default, storing it on the race server. If so, that’s the definitive race file because that one will contain the events as well as the results. But the server also lets you download race file(s) that are constructed from the data. These won’t include the events, and may include buggies that have changed since the last time you downloaded the race file.
About buggies in the race files
Each race file is a snapshot of the time when the race was run, together with the results and events that occurred (offline). For this reason you need to be clear about when you download them. Ideally, download the race file, run the race, and upload the (new) race file — and that’s all you need.
The results shown on the race server — which are extracted from the race file when you upload it — show buggies as they were when the race was run. This is important because students’ buggies can and will change between races.
We’re planning on adding a scheduler so downloading the file (or at least, capturing a snapshot of it when the race is due to start) happens automatically in future releases.
See issue #176
- Previous: How students enter
- Next: Running a race