How To Use Pinewood Racing

Getting Started

Admin Mode vs Racer Mode

Pinewood Racing has two modes. Admin Mode is for the race organizer — you manage groups, racers, and run the race. Racer Mode is for participants — they join DerbyCast events and follow their heat schedule live.

Switch modes anytime in Settings → App Mode. You'll need to relaunch the app after switching.

First Launch — Admin Mode

On first launch the app opens in Admin Mode. Your home screen shows your racer groups. Start by adding a group, then add racers to it.

Managing Racers

Adding a Group

Tap the person.3.sequence icon in the top right of the Home screen. Enter a group name (e.g. Bears, Tigers, Wolves) and tap Add Group. The group appears as a section on the home screen — empty until you add racers.

Adding a Racer

Tap the person.fill.badge.plus icon to open the Registration screen. Fill in first name, last name, optional nickname, and optional car weight. Add a photo by tapping the photo area. Tap Save & Check In to add the racer as checked in, or Save to add without checking in.

Check-In

Swipe left on any racer row to reveal the check-in toggle. Checked-in racers appear at the top of their group with a car number and ✓ badge. Only checked-in racers race.

Racer IDs (PW- Numbers)

Every racer can have a permanent PW-XXXXXX Racer ID. This ID carries across all events. Racers create their profile in the Racer ID section of the app or at the web registration portal. The organizer scans their QR code to link them to the race.

Quick Scan Add

Tap the QR icon on any group section header to scan a racer's QR code and add them directly to that group. The app looks up their profile from the server and inserts them in one tap.

Importing Racers

Download the Excel template from the Import Racers screen. Fill in names and details, then import the file. All racers are added to the selected group at once.

Running a Race

Starting a Race — Pit Row

Tap the Race button on the Home screen to open Pit Row. Follow the three setup steps:

1. Choose Group — select which group is racing. Tap Demo Mode to try a test race.
2. Number of Lanes — match your track's lane count (2–10).
3. Randomize Match-Ups — toggle on to shuffle the heat order for fairness.

Under Pro Add-Ons, enable Pro Motion (camera detection) and/or DerbyCast (live broadcast) if subscribed. Tap the race button to create the session.

Active Sessions

Swipe up on the sessions sheet below Pit Row to see all active race sessions. Tap any session to open it. Swipe left on a session to delete, archive, or access DerbyCast controls.

Scoring a Heat

Each heat shows all active lanes with racer names, photos, and car numbers. To score:

• Swipe mode — swipe left on a lane row to record the next placement (1st, 2nd, 3rd…)
• Tap mode — tap a lane row to record the next placement (enable in Settings → Score Racer Place By → Tap)

The app advances to the next heat automatically when all lanes are scored. A reset button (↺) appears on completed heats so you can correct mistakes.

Apple Watch Scoring

Open the Pinewood Racing Watch app. Your current session appears automatically. Tap lane buttons to record placements — results sync instantly to the iPhone.

Tie-Breakers

After all heats complete, the app detects any ties in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. If ties exist, additional tie-breaker heats are added automatically. Race them the same way as regular heats. Results are tracked separately.

Finishing the Race

When all heats are complete, the app prompts you to generate a PDF. Tap Generate PDF to create the official results document with photos, placements, and scores. Share via AirDrop, email, or Messages.

Pro Motion — Camera Detection

Pro Motion uses a second iPhone's camera to automatically detect when cars cross the finish line — no manual scoring needed.

1. Enable Pro Motion when creating the race session in Pit Row.
2. During the race, tap the Pro Motion icon in the nav bar to open the camera view.
3. Position the camera iPhone at the finish line aimed at the crossing zone.
4. When cars cross, the app detects them and records placements automatically.

DerbyCast — Live Broadcasting

Setting Up DerbyCast (Admin)

1. Enable the DerbyCast toggle when creating your race session in Pit Row.
2. Open the DerbyCast menu item to see your broadcast sessions.
3. Tap your session and flip GO LIVE to start broadcasting.
4. Share the event code or QR code with racers.
5. Use the feature toggles to control what racers see: schedule, live results, heat notifications.

Joining DerbyCast (Racer)

1. Switch to Racer Mode in Settings.
2. Tap + on the Racer home screen.
3. Scan the Admin's QR code or enter the event code manually.
4. Your event appears on the home screen. Tap it to see the live heat schedule.

Settings

• Default Lane Count — pre-selects lane count when starting a race
• Identify Lanes By — ABC (default) or 123
• Score Racer Place By — Swipe (default) or Tap
• Confirm Before Deleting — shows a warning before deleting racers
• Organization Name — appears on the results PDF
• Racer Name Format — choose how names display throughout the app
• App Mode — switch between Admin and Racer mode

Race Rules

See the full derby rules — including car specifications, inspection requirements, and optional rules — on the Derby Rules page.