This Weekend's Mulholland Run - A Preview

[Jack Olsen]

I was sweeping the driveway, today, and the padded plastic broom handle in my hand gave me an idea. Next thing I knew, I was strapping the thing to my rear grille, and duct-taping a lipstick camera to it. The result? An ugly appendage on my 911 -- but also, new place to videotape from. I may try it at the upcoming (Jan 24th) Mulholland Run, or this Wednesday's OTR Track Day at Willow Springs.

In any case, I took it out for a test this afternoon, and here's a small (and also a large) clip of my car winding through Decker Canyon. Choose the one your bandwidth (and your stomach) can handle best. They're both in MP4 format, which can be played by Quicktime or the Windows Media Player. (If your Windows machine gives you a problem with it, post here, and I'll add the link for a Windows MP4 decoder.)





(Thanks to Nostatic for the server space.)

[pwd72s]

I couldn't get either file to open. But that's okay...the camera angle reminds me of the opening shots of a movie I watched all too long ago. A Russ Meyers flick..."The immoral Mr. Tease". Loved seeing a 'Vette's chrome reverse wheels work almost as much as I, then a mere lad in his mid teens, enjoyed the other attractions in the movie...

[HawgRyder]

Good stuff Jack....
BTW...are the white crosses on the pavement for aircraft speed surveillance?
Bob

[nostatic]

should work now...that damn cron script isn't behaving.

[Jack Olsen]

Originally posted by HawgRyder
Good stuff Jack....
BTW...are the white crosses on the pavement for aircraft speed surveillance?
Bob

First off, Bob, let me thank you again for the power supply boxes. The camera, mic and VCR to make this clip were all running without the need for batteries because of you.

The crosses are probably reference points for helicopters, either to locate addresses (as grid anchor points), or for firefighting teams and water-dropping planes and helicopters. I think speeding tickets are handled by CHP's in these parts. Decker is not heavily patrolled, because it's so twisty that the speed limit is hard to exceed without flying off the mountain. There are at least two first-gear turns on this 12-mile stretch.

[Sponge]

MP4 files worked fine for me through quicktime (Downloaded the 25MEG - glad to have broadband)

I was amazed at how stable the camera was...

[Jack Olsen]

The high-tech broom handle mount:

[Sponge]

I am sure you got some good looks with that one as you were going through traffic... Nice...

[jim72911t]

Jack,
Sometimes I think my car is held together like that.

Have fun,
Jim

[power]

Alan DeCadenet's got nothing on you Jack!......we just need some "upper crust" commentary to go along with engine drone.

[Hans Stoehr]

The best use of a broomhandle yet!

[anh911]

Can you post the link to the MP4 plug in?

[bell]

that is quite possibly the cruelest torture us east coasters have been dealt.........thank you
excellent stuff jack.......time to stock up on broom handles cause i want to see more

[Jack Olsen]

Here's the MP4 decoder link:

http://download.com.com/3001-2194-10159344.html

[RSBob]

What a fantastic road - with a symphony as accompaniment. Us out of staters shiver with envy. Great idea - you should pull out the broom handle for group drives and post.

[dd74]

Always driving! Always driving! Don't you ever work, young man?

Oh wait, what am I saying? I went to a Clippers' game today. I wasn't working, either!