This grand prix bracket manager is a web application designed to organize and manage race scheduling and scoring for a one-off Pinewood Derby events. With support for a fixed number of participants and four racing lanes, the app builds an optimized bracket that ensures fairness and clarity while minimizing manual setup. It was made in under three days from conception to utilization.
Key Features
- Optimized Race Scheduling
Automatically generates the minimum number of races needed for every participant to race against all others and use each lane exactly once. This ensures balanced competition and lane distribution. - Editable Race Results
Each race includes lane assignments by color and car number. Placements can be entered manually, and a toggleable edit mode locks or unlocks changes to prevent accidental edits during live events. - Real-Time Scoring
Participants earn points based on the number of opponents they beat in each race. Scores are automatically tallied and displayed alongside each participant’s name. - Participant Management
Names and car numbers can be entered or edited via a simple interface, allowing quick setup and on-the-fly adjustments when needed.
Technology Overview
- Front End: Built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, the interface is clean, responsive, and suitable for use on tablets or laptops at live events.
- Logic Engine: A custom scheduling algorithm handles race generation, matchup coverage, and lane rotation, ensuring minimal overlap and maximum fairness.
This application offers a lightweight, efficient solution for managing Pinewood Derby brackets and scoring, ideal for school events, scouting groups, or community races.