It's Easy to Install, Hassle Free to Operate, Unique to the Mac
&
It Adds to Your Total Race to Mac Experience

Race Tracking Application [PDF][DOC]

The Chicago Yacht Club Race To Mackinac Race Tracking feature is a unique and engaging part of the total Mac experience. Competitors will be able to provide family, friends and associates an opportunity to follow their progress as they manage their way up the broad lake, tack and jibe through the islands and hopefully blast their way down the Straits of Mackinac to the finish. This year forty (40) transponders are available on a first-come-first served basis via an application available from the link above. This is a totally hands free operation. Competitors need only to provide 12 volt power connection and a place on the stern rail to mount the transponder - the system handles the rest.

Competitors will be provided with a transponder unit that downloads GPS signals. The transponder determines the boat's position, and sends positioning data via VHF transmission to a network of low level satellites circling the globe. The data is then transmitted from satellite to Flagship Integration Services, an official Race to Mackinac sponsor whose custom software performs the required translations and dynamically builds each chart for display via the Chicago Yacht Club's web site.

We will track between 1 and 6 boats per section. Viewers will be able to choose from among a full lake view or one of 25 "zoom" views for each boat section (a section consists of 6-9 similar sized boats). Both full lake and zoom views will be updated approximately every two hours, and the viewer can select any 2 hour "snapshot" to follow a boat's or a section's progress up the lake. Tracking will commence at 4:00 pm on Saturday July 24, and will most likely conclude on Tuesday July 27.

The tracking displays can be saved to share with friends and crew long after your racing has finished. Use the charts to plan next year's approach to this most prestigious fresh water racing event.

To obtain Race Tracking for you boat, download the application and attached instructions, complete the form and fax or email to Sasco, Inc at the address indicated on the form.

Sign up today and be part of the total Mac experience
Track On!