Camera for track day

Armin_Tamzarian

I'm looking to rig up an in-car camera for a track day.
Has anyone here got any experience of this?

I don't own a video camera but I guess I'll probably try to get the lend of one.
Don't suppose anywhere rents such a thing?

Anyways, any advice on what the best way to set this up is would be appreciated.
I was planning on just cushioning it and taping it down to the middle of the dash.

Armin_Tamzarian

I think I just answered my own question.

http://bbs.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-general-1/815211-15-track-day-camera-cheap-ultra-small-camera-probs-interest-all.html

Only £15, near the end of the thread are some links to clips of in-car footage taken with the camera.
Looks decent.

retrothis

GoPro do a motorsport version of a small videocamera. heres the link: http://www.goprocamera.com/index.php?area=2&productid=30

I've never used one so no idea what it would be like.
I doubt you can rent such a camera, but maybe ask at the track where you plan to tear around.

high heels

http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/

You can rent them I used to rent them to rally drivers But gave it up last year.. they are €150 a day too..

I just got myself a Contour HD and its great... You can put it anywhere and it looks like a tv camera.. If I was you I would buy that..

projectgtr

go pro do a real good high def wide angle model, theres a review in this months modified mag ill dig up the clips when i get home. Personally i use a Hague SM1 suction mount with a sony mini dv camcorder (upgrading to 1080p camera soon) this setup is perfect as it can be used inside or out, ive driven from drogheda to dublin city center with that set up attached to my roof and it works flawlessly, i just need a better camera, ive a track day in june so ill let you know how track orientated it is, but so far im amazed, i got it to do photography shots too so it serves another purpose

Here it is, if im not mistaken the same mounts are used by the top gear production team

JimmyCrackCorn

Heads up on some of the English tracks banning those rubber vacuum mounts. (insurance reasons)

I think Crail, cant find link to back it up so please check before believing me.

Armin_Tamzarian

projectgtr wrote: »

ive a track day in june so ill let you know how track orientated it is

June 7th by any chance?

projectgtr

Armin_Tamzarian wrote: »

June 7th by any chance?

Afraid not, its the friday session in aid of CF Ireland, should be a good day i think TDP will have their dyno and some of the T/A guys will be selling off passenger laps, anyone is more then welcome all for a good cause. Looking to get a bit of tuition in my own car on the day and try out some new suspension bits.

Armin_Tamzarian

projectgtr wrote: »

Afraid not, its the friday session in aid of CF Ireland, should be a good day i think TDP will have their dyno and some of the T/A guys will be selling off passenger laps, anyone is more then welcome all for a good cause. Looking to get a bit of tuition in my own car on the day and try out some new suspension bits.

Dammit, we could have raced for Pinks

What date is your event on?

Hornswoggle

This looks pretty decent and it won't break the bank either

http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.php/pName/mini-video-recorder-with-incar-mounting-stand/

projectgtr

Armin_Tamzarian wrote: »

Dammit, we could have raced for Pinks

What date is your event on?

Sweet so if i lose i lose my licence only joking,Our trackday is june 4th should be a good one but ive a fair of prep work to do before then, timing belt being one thing :mad: ,must watch back over my old videos i forget mondello allready (though its been over a year) what is it you drive out of curiosity??

Armin_Tamzarian

projectgtr wrote: »

must watch back over my old videos i forget mondello allready (though its been over a year) what is it you drive out of curiosity??

Supra, do you have any videos up on youtube?

projectgtr

Armin_Tamzarian wrote: »

Supra, do you have any videos up on youtube?

sweet id say thats a handfull in mondello, have i clips up....... yes any im proud of...... nope. Nothing you would wanna see, well depends if you want a laugh or not heres how they go:D, My first drag event..... snap the clutch at a low launch ON THE PRACTICE RUN!!!!!, and my first few laps of mondello.... first time ever on track lines all over the place crap breaking and not used to the car or traffic, havent put up my Nurburing clips yet but they are shakey as your not alowed cameras and we had to keep hiding it :mad:

Armin_Tamzarian

Well the one I'm going to in June will be my first so I'll probably be no better.
Wouldn't mind taking a look at your clips if you have links and don't mind.

projectgtr

Im not too proud to show my failures

Drag race, launched at a conservative 2.5k and SSSNNNAAAPPPP! clutch shattered, New DC2 clutch fitted now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTObjnAtlwE

First few laps at Japfest,now no laughing:D lines allover the place and gears and breaking just ridiculous but hey thats why i record them so i can learn. this isnt my current setup i just ran my camera in the head rest worked well though
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvXrfuVQ594

Only one im proud of but its just a clip from westward engineering, you might want to turn up the sound for this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LNTb78fORY

Armin_Tamzarian

Are the cameras not allowed at mondello?

What sort of speeds would you get up to on the straights at mondello?

Midnight_EG

I got stung for having a camera at Mondello? :S


ProjectGTR.....I've an awful feeling I was a passenger in your car last Summer at a DTD event!

Caliden

Midnight_EG wrote: »

I got stung for having a camera at Mondello? :S


ProjectGTR.....I've an awful feeling I was a passenger in your car last Summer at a DTD event!

whats the punishment for getting caught in mondello with a camera?
session ended?

Midnight_EG

T'was a verbal warning first time, which went along the lines of 'it's fucking illegal to have a camera while driving, it can distract the driver, if I see it again I'll smash the fucking thing without a second thought.' Second offence is a black flag I believe.

Armin_Tamzarian

Midnight_EG wrote: »

T'was a verbal warning first time, which went along the lines of 'it's fucking illegal to have a camera while driving, it can distract the driver, if I see it again I'll smash the fucking thing without a second thought.' Second offence is a black flag I believe.

What if the camera was mounted on the outside of the car?
It could hardly be then construed as a distraction to the driver?

/Begins work on camera cunningly disguised as a pair of furry dice...

projectgtr

Armin_Tamzarian wrote: »

Are the cameras not allowed at mondello?

What sort of speeds would you get up to on the straights at mondello?

when i was there there was no problem at all once it was secure, you dont want anything flying round the car under heavy breaking as for speed ive no idea going by the clip i was maxing out 3rd and just touching 4th on the straight so maybe 140?? ill let you know for definite later

Midnight_EG wrote: »

I got stung for having a camera at Mondello? :S


ProjectGTR.....I've an awful feeling I was a passenger in your car last Summer at a DTD event!

Wouldnt have been me bro i gave up my spot last september to hit the nurburging, any joy selling my car

Midnight_EG

No sadly, but getting it back today


You can still buy it

projectgtr

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Just watched your video just a few bits of advice. I am one of the instructors at the track and I am usually about at most track days. As for speed we can get about 142 km/h in the race school Mazda`s 3 and they are only 95 bhp.

1) Dont be dipping the clutch on the way into corners. Get your breaking done, choose whatever gear you need and start applying the power.

2) Your turn in points are all wrong. Your turning in far too early for turn one and its killing your exit. At turn three you should be all the way to the left before you turn right. Same goes for the esses. The last corner is the most important in terms of lap times. Stay all the way to the left and turn in when you hit the white piece of cement on the left side.

3) Your braking far too early and hence its causing you to get back on the power too early.

However you are quite smooth and not aggresive which is a good starting point. When your going out again ask somebody who is good or one of the resident track instructors if they will show you the lines. Its important that you start with a good baseline and build from it.

Watch my mates video below, just look at his turn in points and copy them

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhnnTfWlDeA

Cheers for that i really appreciate it alot, looks like shane rabbit (time attack)might be sitting in on a few laps with me on the 4th june, trying to get a couple more of the TA lads to do the same, the video above was in 08 i was told just to enjoy it get used to the track and traffic, ive had a little bit more track time now but im allways eager to learn.

Again thanks for the advice, ill throw up a few laps when i do my next day and you can tell me if ive taken anything onboard

Brian222

Armin, would love to see how the video turns out after the track day. Don't forget to post!

Brian

Armin_Tamzarian

Brian222 wrote: »

Armin, would love to see how the video turns out after the track day. Don't forget to post!

Brian

It will most probably just show footage of me crying like a baby whilst clutching the shattered remains of my bumpers.

Speaking of car videos I have to share this.
Check out the last clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5oRAVm_DDE