CARRERA DIGITAL HARDWARE

Carrera Lap Counter: lap timing, race modes and settings

The Carrera Lap Counter counts laps and measures times for up to 8 vehicles. Connection, training mode, lap race, time race, F1 and slot mode and display settings.

Carrera DIGITAL 124/132 Lap Counter (20030355) · ~10 min read · Updated: 13 October 2026

The Lap Counter counts laps, measures times and displays positions beside the track.

This article guides you through the connection, three race modes and display settings.

Compatibility

Carrera DIGITAL 132: Yes – the Carrera manual applies together to DIGITAL 124/132.
Carrera DIGITAL 124: Yes – the Carrera manual applies together to DIGITAL 124/132.
Carrera Evolution: No. Carrera Evolution is a separate analog system. Carrera explicitly warns against using DIGITAL 124/132 components on an Evolution track. Track Engine currently supports only track planning for Evolution.

What is the Lap Counter?

The Lap Counter works only with the Control Unit. It measures laps and times for up to 8 vehicles, including 6 controlled by hand controllers. It can also show the Autonomous Car and Pace Car. Multiple Autonomous Cars are grouped at position 7, and multiple Pace Cars at position 8.

With the Pit Lane 20030356, a lap count or time measurement can also take place in the Pit Lane.

Photo to follow: The Lap Counter. An authentic image will be added.

What can the Lap Counter do?

Training mode
lap races up to a maximum of 9999 laps
Timed races of up to 49:59’59’’
F1 or slot mode for the end of the race
Position indicator on the display
Memory function: changed values remain until you change them again

Factory settings: lap race = 50 laps, timed race = 5 minutes, contrast = 20, brightness = 20.

The display shows total time, race mode, position, best and last lap times, gap to the leader and completed laps. Buttons A, B and c operate the device.

How to connect the Lap Counter

Connect Lap Counter

Connect the Lap Counter directly to the PC UNIT connector of the Control Unit (connection 2). A separate track section is not required.
Set up the display: insert its support feet into position 1 or 2 on the back, depending on the desired angle, until they click into place.
Turn on the Control Unit – the Lap Counter is immediately operational.

One connection for several devices

The Control Unit manual lists PC-Unit, Lap Counter 20030355 and AppConnect 20030369 as alternatives for port 2. Carrera's manuals do not establish whether a Lap Counter and AppConnect can operate on that port simultaneously.

Photo to follow: Connection to the Control Unit. An authentic image will be added.

Starting practice

Before using the Lap Counter, all vehicles must be coded on the Control Unit.

Training mode

Turn on the Control Unit. After about one second, the middle LED lights up permanently and a short signal sounds.
The Lap Counter automatically switches to training mode.
Press START once on the Control Unit; all LEDs stay lit.
Place the pre-coded vehicles on the power track section.
Press the start button again. The start sequence begins.
After the start sequence, the training begins and the total time ("TIME") runs.

Press A during or after training to switch between vehicles; a vertical line below the position marks the selected car. Press c (‘ESC’) once to end training and again to return to the main menu.

Data is lost when practice ends

After the training mode ends, all data is lost. Individual lap times over 09:59:999 cannot be displayed in the display.

Setting up a lap race

Setting up lap races

In the main menu, press c ("ESC"). The display switches to selection mode, “TRAINING” flashes.
Change mode with button A ("CHA") until "LAP RACE" flashes, and confirm with button B ("SEL").
Set the number of laps: first the ones place, then tens, hundreds and thousands. With button A ("UP") you increase the number, with button B ("SEL") you change to the next position.
Choose the end of the race: “F1” or “SLOT”.
Press START once on the Control Unit, put the vehicles on the power track section, then press START again. The start sequence runs and timing begins.

F1 mode: After the leader completes the target lap count, followers finish their current lap only.
Slot mode: All vehicles must complete the full target lap count to finish.

Once a vehicle has finished the race, the corresponding position flashes. At the end of the race, a signal sounds and the indicator flashes. With button c ("ESC") you cancel an ongoing race.

Setting up a timed race

Setting up time races

In the main menu, press c (‘ESC’), then use A (‘CHA’) until ‘TIME RACE’ flashes. Confirm with B (‘SEL’).
Set the time: first the seconds, then minutes, then hours. Button A ("UP") increases, button B ("SEL") changes to the next position.
Press START on the Control Unit, place the vehicles on the power track section and press START again. The total time goes backwards.

The maximum race duration is 49:59’59’’. When time runs out, a signal sounds, the positions flash and the leader's total time appears above.

Display settings

Contrast: switch off the Control Unit, hold A while switching it on until the display changes. The top line shows the software version. Use the ‘CHA’ buttons to adjust contrast (maximum 20) and press c (‘SEL’) to save.
Backlight brightness (20 levels): switch off the Control Unit, hold c (‘ESC’) while switching it on.

Using it with Track Engine

This section explains what the hardware enables in Track Engine and which tasks remain on Carrera hardware.

Lap Counter and Track Engine

The Lap Counter is not mentioned in the requirements of the Track Engine hardware functions: refueling requires CU + PSAU, DRS CU + 2 Check Lanes, Pace Car CU + second Pit Lane.
Track Engine measures laps, lap times and positions in Race Control. Its race modes are lap count, time limit and time limit plus final lap.
According to Carrera, CU port 2 is shared by PC-Unit, Lap Counter and AppConnect as alternatives. Track Engine needs AppConnect; simultaneous operation with Lap Counter is not confirmed by the manuals.

Common problems

The Lap Counter shows nothing.
Cause:
It is not connected to the socket “PC UNIT” (connection 2) of the Control Unit or the CU is switched off.
Solution:
Check the connection at CU port 2 and switch on the Control Unit.
A vehicle is not counted.
Cause:
The vehicle is not coded or has an empty tank.
Solution:
Code the car at the Control Unit. Vehicles with an empty tank are not counted on the Position Tower.
The race does not start.
Cause:
False start in traffic light phase.
Solution:
Restart the sequence and move the controllers only after the traffic light phase.
The display is difficult to read.
Cause:
Contrast or brightness do not fit.
Solution:
Adjust contrast by holding A while switching on the CU, or brightness by holding c while switching it on.

Frequently asked questions

How many vehicles does the Lap Counter count?

Up to 8 vehicles, of which up to 6 are controlled by hand controller. Autonomous Car and Pace Car can also be displayed.

How many laps can I set?

During the lap race a maximum of 9999 laps.

What is the difference between F1 and slot mode?

In F1 mode, only the current lap is measured for the pursuers after the nominal laps of the leader. In slot mode, all vehicles must drive the entire set laps.

Are my settings saved?

Yes. The Lap Counter retains changed settings until you change them again.

Does the Lap Counter work with Evolution?

No. Lap Counter belongs to Carrera DIGITAL 124/132; Evolution is a separate analog system.

Continue with Track Engine

Track Engine connects Carrera DIGITAL 132/124 to live timing, Race Control, strategy and analysis.

Explore Track Engine

Sources

Carrera hardware details are based on Carrera's German instruction manuals:

Track Engine is an independent third-party product and is not affiliated with, authorized, sponsored or endorsed by Carrera.

Carrera and the product names mentioned are trademarks or product names of their respective owners. They are used here only to describe the products.

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