I hope it's not bragging to say that I got lucky one time at the swap meet, and for 20 bucks, bought a Chrondek M3 clock and light (below)

https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/03/chrondek-photo-electronic-timer-model-m.html

By the way, I was looking to see what were the other most reputable old school original timing systems, as I couldn't recall the names, Crocker, and Fosdick

I am going to suppose that the flashlight was supplying the trigger light to the photo cell at the Chrondek timer in between the lanes. 

I'm lucky enough to have bought one at the swapmeet about a decade ago when a hot rod club was getting rid of the stuff out of their clubhouse that hadn't been used in years http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/03/chrondek-photo-electronic-timer-model-m.html

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/vintage-shots-from-days-gone-by.428585/page-5977#post-12903742 for the photo