Guide — RaceGOW
The RaceGOW lap timer guide
RaceGOW turns your living room into a race track. Build the season's PVC layout, fly it, and chase the leaderboard. To get faster you need a timer. Here's how to time RaceGOW laps with the phone already in your pocket, and how the alternatives compare.
Updated October 4, 2026
FPV Lap Timer is an independent app and isn't affiliated with RaceGOW. For official rules, track sheets and time submission, visit racegow.com.
What is RaceGOW?
RaceGOW is one of the whoop community's big international events, alongside IGOW (the International Game of Whoop). Instead of travelling to a race, pilots build a short track at home out of PVC pipe gates (the RaceGOW gate is commonly a 24-inch square, measured centre to centre). Everyone flies the same layout and compares times. Each season releases a series of tracks with submission deadlines. RaceGOW6 is running now.
RaceGOW timer options
Phone camera timer (no hardware)
Put your phone on a tripod beside the start/finish gate and let a camera timer catch every crossing. There's nothing to build, nothing on the whoop, and no VTx channel to calibrate. It works the same with analog and HD systems. FPV Lap Timer runs on iPhone and Android and calls out each lap so you can stay in your goggles. The browser-based RaceGow CAM Timer is another camera option built specifically for RaceGOW.
RSSI timers like PhobosLT
PhobosLT is an open-source single-pilot timer (an ESP32 plus an RX5808 receiver) that reads your VTx signal strength. It was designed with RaceGOW in mind and can read out 2- and 3-lap consecutive times. It's cheap if you can solder, but you'll need to tune its thresholds for your room.
Commercial RF timers
Hardware like FPVSIM's timers or a RotorHazard build makes sense if you also run club nights with several pilots. For solo RaceGOW practice, it's more gear than you need.
Comparing apps? See our roundup of free FPV lap timer apps.
Setting up a phone timer on a RaceGOW track
- Choose the start/finish gate from the season's track sheet and place the tripod to one side so the whoop crosses the frame side-on.
- Fit the whole 24-inch opening in frame while keeping the camera as close as you can, so the whoop is as large as possible in the image.
- Keep other gates out of the centre of the frame. If your layout loops back past the start gate, angle the phone so only the timed pass crosses the centre line. Otherwise you'll get phantom laps.
- Calm the background. Put a plain wall or a sheet behind the gate, keep pets and people out of shot, and light the room evenly.
- Test with slow passes before flying full-speed laps.
More indoor tips are in our Tiny Whoop lap timing guide, and detection troubleshooting is in the support FAQ.
Practising for a RaceGOW submission
- Practise the scored format. RaceGOW leaderboards have used consecutive-lap times, so work on clean runs, not one lucky lap. Check the current rules for the exact format.
- Watch your consistency. A tight spread of lap times usually means you're ready to put in a fast consecutive run.
- Record your sessions. Reviewing lines on video helps you find time. Clip Studio puts your goggle DVR and timer recording side by side.
Frequently asked questions
What is RaceGOW?
RaceGOW is an international online whoop racing event. Pilots build a short track at home out of PVC pipe gates, fly it, and compare times on a shared leaderboard. It runs in seasons with a series of track layouts. RaceGOW6 is the current season.
What lap timer should I use for RaceGOW?
Any timer that reliably records your laps works for practice. A phone camera timer like FPV Lap Timer needs no hardware and is quick to set up beside the start/finish gate. RSSI timers like PhobosLT are also popular in the RaceGOW community. Always check the current season's rules on racegow.com for what's accepted when you submit a time.
Can I use my phone as a RaceGOW timer?
Yes. Mount the phone on a tripod beside the start/finish gate, frame the gate side-on, and a camera lap timer app records every crossing. It works with analog, HDZero, Walksnail and DJI whoops.
How big is a RaceGOW gate?
The commonly referenced RaceGOW gate is a 24 × 24 inch square (measured centre to centre) built from PVC pipe and connectors. Check the current season's track sheet for exact dimensions and layouts.
Does FPV Lap Timer submit times to the RaceGOW leaderboard?
No. FPV Lap Timer is not affiliated with RaceGOW and doesn't submit times. It's a practice and timing tool. Follow RaceGOW's own submission process for official times.
Time your next session with your phone.
FPV Lap Timer is free on iPhone and Android. Point the camera at a gate, hit Start, and every crossing becomes a lap.