Daytona 24 ? What is the red light inside the DP car?

[Zeke]

Viewed from dead ahead a red light is seen thru the windshield. I appears to be well back in the car. Each one is in the same spot. Timing and scoring?

[Oh Haha]

Glad I'm not the only one who noticed these.

ROLEX car question-interior light

[Pazuzu]

I'm not watching the race, so I can't be sure, but I'd agree that it could be night driving illumination, or an IR lamp for nighttime filming. However, if you guys can see it through the windshield on TV, it might be too bright for proper nighttime illumination. Even a bright red light will ruin your night vision, you need to keep it dim. I bet it's an IR lamp, and whatever camera you're seeing the image from is also IR sensitive. If that's the case, it's possible that anyone sitting there live would see nothing. Maybe that's why no one is getting a response.

[dennis in se pa]

It illuminates the inside of the cockpit so the driver can see the gauges etc.

[TimT]

It illuminates the inside of the cockpit so the driver can see the gauges etc.

Umm... no

The gauges are back lit, MoTec ADL, and AIM Pista are easily viewable in the dark..

I dont know what the red light is though...

I'll ask my friend when he gets back... He works for TRG

[dennis in se pa]

Your friend works for TRG?
I have a friend who "works" there named Kevin.
Let's see what your friend comes up with.
Cockpit illumination is the purpose of the red light.

[boba]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

It illuminates the inside of the cockpit so the driver can see the gauges etc.

+1

It is red to protect night vision. Drivers also need to see controls and switches which have no illumination. Some teams use a blue light.

[TimT]

Good, then ask Buckler what the red light is...

I know its not for gauge illumination.... since the MoTec dashes they use are backlit..same goes for the car that use AIM dashes

If your such good friends with Kevin.. how bout you tell him to pay us for the work we did for him at Watkins Glen a few years back?....

[rudderboost]

red and green/blue is used to see at night because it doesn't hurt (degrade) your night vision. It's used in many airplanes-- even though the instruments are back-lit. Ask a pilot if you can see their flashlight-- it will usually have a red lense.

[Schumi]

I didn't watch the race so I can't tell, but does it flash? If it flashes seemingly randomly, then it may be a slip indicator. A lot of the formula cars I've driven can have them, and I know some new GT3's run them- it is a red light on the top of the dash that flashes when the traction control multiplexer senses wheel slip over a certain threshold.

From what you guys are sounding like, it is on all the time- which in this case may be to illuminate switches. Yes, Motec ADL's and AIM dashes are backlit- the switches for various things like drink, fan, etc my not be self-lighted.

[boba]

The light is mounted on the rear cockpit bulkhead behind and to the side of the drivers head. It is on continuously, no flashing. As stated it is for cockpit illumination.

[Pazuzu]

If the light is behind them, and still bright enough to illuminate the dash, then it's already ruined their night vision. I was an astronomer, I know more about night vision than most anyone. When we use red lights, they're low brightness and highly directed. If we had a red light bright enough to illuminate the cockpit of a car, we'd never see a thing.

[URY914]

I like how people are answering this question that haven't even seen the light in the cars.....