This is kinda typical for someone with a "know it all" attitude.
Seasoned pros offer suggestions and the suggestions are very viable and proven but a "closed mind" is not going far in this world,
For one to succeed they need an open mind. Just because the opti sensors didn't work dose not mean they will never work. Optical sensors are used every day. Look at a tv remote = optical sensor
1) Can you simply replace the push button switches with Tilt switches as the activation device?
2) Also I see a master reset switch being used. I need for it to automatically reset each time without some switch having to be pressed.
For example the car hits the tab with the attached Tilt switch which causes the light to flash.
The tilt switch on the tab will rock back to it's original position automatically once the car passes through it. Based on this circuit would that action alone make it ready for the next race or would you need to modify it further?
In the end I did apologize for offending the person and not quite sure why this person reacted the way they did. I guess I should pull my job application as ambassador to Slovenia.