Camcorders in cars...

SummerSledSix · 08-30-2002, 04:23 PM

At a DE last weekend, I ran into a couple of guys quite enthusiastically reviewing a videotape one of them made of their previous run on the track.

I know there are cameras and mounts available, and have seen related threads here, but I'm curious how many of you guys tape your DE's, races, time trials, etc. Is this a toy kinda thing, or can you use it to really improve your technique? Is this a popular thing, or did I just run into a couple of fanatics? Also, I know the megabuck teams do all sorts of instrumentation / telemetry, but is there anything useful out there for the personal-checkbook weekend warrior?

Zeke · 08-30-2002, 05:25 PM

You can review your turn-in points, apexes, exits and steering input if the camera angle gets that all in. All of this while hearing your shifting. And if you are following another car who is hittting good marks, you can look that over as well.

Then you can go home and play it on the big screen between events when you start jonesing for some track time.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

I mounted a camera in my 914 for a few DE's and PCA Club races. The problem I found is that in a 914 you can't mount the camera far enough back behind you to get a wide shot of the steering wheel, gauges and the track all in the frame of the picture. All I saw was stright out the windshield. So it was not very useful. I would like to see the tach, when I'm braking, when I'm on the gas, etc, as it relates to where I am on the track all on the tape, than you could really study it. It was also another thing to deal with on during a race weekend, more of a distraction than useful.

Brad Roberts · 08-30-2002, 05:55 PM

Oh boy.

For the beginner, I totally beleive you should tape everything.

I have a person running my tube car right now and I had NO idea he didnt blip throttle downshift until watching the tape. I could also tell he didnt left foot brake. The camera was not pointed at his feet. I could just tell from the sound of the car and the transition of the car.

Tape yourself, then have somebody faster/better than you help you review it. I learned a long time ago in sports that you should always play against someone better than you if you plan to improve yourself. It will do NO good to review the tape with your buddy next door who rides lawnmowers for a living...lol

Make sure your camera has the anti vibration feature or go all out and purchase the lipstick camera and a tiny digital VCR. These accept 2-3 camera's thus allowing you to see the gauges and behind the car.

B

SummerSledSix · 08-30-2002, 06:22 PM

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback! I've got a semi-ancient camcorder, now all I have to do is figure out how to mount it.

Brad, you mentioned a view looking back, behind the car. Not that I can afford a multicamera setup, but what would a rear view teach you other than the fact that you 're about to be passed

?

08-30-2002, 06:46 PM

I had trouble finding a camera mount that would hang off my roll bar at the proper height so that it was usefull. I took a couple back and ended up making my own. I use a small digital camcorder that doesn't get in the way too much and it works out pretty good except the wind noise on the mic makes it difficult to hear the shifts. I like taping a few runs each weekend to critique my driving but sometimes it's a hassle messing with the camera and I just forget about taping and it's less stress. I'm beginning to realize less stress is a good thing!

Brad Roberts · 08-30-2002, 06:53 PM

John,

We use it for checking exit speed. Pick a point in the video and use a stop watch to "time" the entrance and exit. Most racers are looking for consistancy. A front only view wont give you everything you need for this.

I personally only use IO port camera mounts and have never had a problem mounting a camera to one of them. Most org's require a "approved" camera mount. They actually check them at our events..dont want the mount and camers flying off during the event and hitting you.

B

Racer Chris · Racer Chris's Garage

If you want to time your laps from a DE event, use a stopwatch while replaying the tape at home. You can also get segment times to see where you might improve your overall lap times.

I am currently using my in-car video in a protest against another driver who hit my car in the last race.

John Rogers · 08-31-2002, 10:24 AM

The second problem with hand-held camcorders is the narrow field of vision, even with the camera zoom fully backed off. I use a "spy" type of camera with a 12 volt recorder mounted to the inside of the firewall and it gets an 80 degree field of view with the camera against the rear glass gets me and both side mirrors. You could try a company called Supercircuits (on the web) as they were very helpful to me. The camera should have electronic image stabilization (or you'll get fuzz), manual focus set to max (so cars in front will not be fuzzy) and test it first since you'll be shooting from inside a very dark interior to the sun and things can wash out. That's why I put the clear panel in the Targa top. Good luck.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Another interesting thing I've heard of is to put a weight on a string (plumb-bob) or sitting up on a spring in the FOV of the camera. This will give you some relative indication of how hard you are cornering at any given time...

Tough not to put it in your own FOV so it doesn't distract you, but if you can learn to ignore it on-track, it can be interesting later on.

--DD