Transponder systems are EA$Y.
Transponders cost $200 to $300 each and every racer needs their own transponder, aside from the software and dedicated laptop.
Costs about $800 for the day to rent IF the system is not being used that day
plus you are on the hook for any damaged or "lost" transponders at $300 each.
I am on very friendly terms with Young Lee who runs M1GP which uses a Mylaps system.
M1GP's $120 a year membership fee + $65 race fee + $25 2nd/3rd race class fee + $10 gate fee make their purchase of Mylaps possible, and his racers don't mind paying $300 for their own transponder or renting for $20 a race.
I have done extensive research into finding an affordable scoring system over
the last 4 years and 15 races........you will be a hero if you can come up with
something that works.
PS: You are not the first to suggest this.
There is a manual lap timer for about $50 that you have to remember to hit every lap
and a beacon individual lap timer for $45? to track your own lap times that sadly could not be used to score a race because of it's flawed design.
Thank you for your $5,000++ donation to buy a system like Mylaps for SMBR.