diff --git a/src/level1.ts b/src/level1.ts
index d2c6640..c699715 100644
--- a/src/level1.ts
+++ b/src/level1.ts
@@ -43,6 +43,11 @@ export class Level1 implements Level {
             xr.baseExperience.camera.parent = this._ship.transformNode;
             const currPose =  xr.baseExperience.camera.globalPosition.y;
             xr.baseExperience.camera.position = new Vector3(0, 0, 0);
+
+            // Start game timer when XR pose is set
+            this._ship.gameStats.startTimer();
+            debugLog('Game timer started');
+
             const observer = xr.input.onControllerAddedObservable.add((controller) => {
                 debugLog('🎮 onControllerAddedObservable FIRED for:', controller.inputSource.handedness);
                 this._ship.addController(controller);
diff --git a/src/ship.ts b/src/ship.ts
index 0f21e36..95f0519 100644
--- a/src/ship.ts
+++ b/src/ship.ts
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ export class Ship {
         return this._scoreboard;
     }
 
+    public get gameStats(): GameStats {
+        return this._gameStats;
+    }
+
     public set position(newPosition: Vector3) {
         const body = this._ship.physicsBody;