Printable View
RE video setups, I use the family digital camera (a sony with image stabilization) and one of these: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1176506228750
I use a lanyard to tie it off to the rear view mirror.
It takes pretty good videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/goofygrin1
Ok, now how did you get a track image up in the right hand corner of your video and all the car data in the left hand side from your regular sony home video recorder?
You don't. You use a MaxQData system and the software I wrote to merge the two: http://mpghead.com/VideoDataMerger/
ETA: the camera I use is just a digital camera:
http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/So...0_3qtr-001.jpg
Ok, so you are also using data from a GPS such as one that would give you directions from point a to point b? Man that is a pretty cool idea actually and that would give me most of everything I would need to know to help me improve as the season goes along. Hmmmmm will think this one over long and hard. Thanks oh and please let me know if that is what you are meaning by a GPS.
Don't have to answer that question, went and looked up what you were using. Now I know that isn't the type of GPS I was thinking of. Dang the low end model of that GPS cost as much as the Camera I was looking at. LOL Hmmmm ok invest in that, not the camera, get a cheap camera use your software and I will have even better then what I was hoping to get out of the hole deal. Cool, now I have something new to add to my list of things for next year. Will start off with the camera and get the GPS later in the year, that is going to be at the bottom of my list since I need to get some other stuff first. Thanks for the info and thanks for sharing that software, and the GPS info which will work even for Kennedale.
similar, but not quite.
http://www.maxqdata.com
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofygrin
Ya sorry didn't edit my post quick enough. Went and looked it up. Thanks again for all the great information.
It seems like you like to buy stuff. No problem I know someone who likes to do that too.
First if you want to really be competitive sell that car. It is not the leader in the class. Go find a 99 Miata with the Sport package. But if you keep the car I would buy the following:
You
1. Attend a driving school. Local or Evolution (both). TX SCCA usually has one at the beginning of the season.
2. A helmet. I hate using loaner helmets.
3. Later you can buy shoes. Most people here found driving shoes at Ross for $19. Look for close outs on Piloti.
4. Nothing else for you. Don't need a suit, gloves or HANs for Autocross.
5. Seat time, seat time, seat time.
6. Ride with good drivers.
Car
Keep it stock! Run in Novice class move to Tire class (run street tires)
1. Drop in filter. At least have a clean filter you can use for event. 2 HP.
2. Bigger front swaybar to keep the rear planted.
3. Exhaust. 5 HP
After you become comfortable with the car and decide to move to a class where R compound tires are used.
4. Wheels and R comps tires
5. Shocks
Before you spend money, attend an event. Don't be surprised if your ego takes a foot to the yam bag. Remember it is not all what you can buy. Seat time goes a long way. When you think you car is maxed out and cannot go faster unless you spend money, let a faster driver take a run in it.
It isn't actually about spending money to me. It is about buying stuff that I know will help me out. Wether that is a camera that will allow me to evaluate myself so I can improve, or a helmet to ensure my safety which as I said will be used for autocross and Drag racing at Kennedale. I don't expect I will win, I don't even expect I will do good at first, so there is no ego there to be squashed.
Not planning on doing anything to upgrade the car right now, just fix what needs to be fixed as it is right now. This car wasn't taken care of by the last owner in my opinion. The rotors aren't it the best of shape, there are tears and puncutures in areas that honestly there shouldn't be.
I am just tring to get ideas on stuff that will help me, protect me, and that will fix stuff on the car that have to be fixed anyways.
You may not think a camera is worth having since I have never raced before, but you are only looking at it from the race aspect I am also looking at it for stuff I can use it on around the house.
You may think well you don't need a helmet right now you can use a loaner, but actually Kennedale doesn't have loaners and I have to have one there, and plus you don't know if it will even fit right if you use a loaner.
The rotors and brakes well that is safety plain and simple, on a track or on the streets I want to ensure that my safety and those around me are at the top of my list.
Gloves and boots, they aren't costly and they will help on the track in many ways that I have read about. I am not planning on running out and buying either of these tomorrow may not even have them half way through the season just something I am planning on buying down the road.
The GPS unit, that might turn out to be something I don't even buy till next year, but it is something that will help me to see how well my car is performing as well as allowing me to improve on myself. This is the same thing as the gloves and shoes it is way at the bottom of my list.
I don't see anything wrong me having this wish list. I haven't spent money on myself in about 7 years cause I have been helping out a friend in more ways then you would understand so please don't judge me cause I have a wish list. I don't have money just lying around, but I can safe up for this stuff and buy things little by little. And once again there is no ego here, I don't expect to do good, I hope I may do good but I don't expect I will and as far as switching cars, well I like my 01, and maybe it isn't at the top of the class ok, as I said I am not expecting to win I am expecting to have fun and enjoy some great company as well.
It's your money, but.......Quote:
Originally Posted by amdman
the best (BEST) thing that's going to help you out is seat time, seat time, seat time. Get a helmet.
Thanks Sammm and I do understand I won't be getting that till next year. That is why I know, well I actually don't know how well I will do, but I am guessing I will do pretty bad for a while untill I do get that seat time.Quote:
Originally Posted by sammm
Ya I will be getting a helmet and getting the breaks redone asap, of course breaks first. Helmet will be in a few months if things work out right.
Do have a question, how does this look for a camera?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10269853
The videos look really good and the sound is good as well. What is even nicer is that the price isn't bad at all.
When I started, I bought a nice SA rated "brain bucket" (I'm still looking for some brains to fill it with), a 12V air compressor (so I could air up my four year old street tires at the event) and a roll of blue painters tape (for putting numbers and class on the yellow car).
In raw time, I finished 217th of 219 drivers that first event. Four and a half years later, I finish 8th of 8 drivers in E stock. I'm getting better, I think.
Someone said that anticipation is the greatest of pleasures. I know it gives all of us great pleasure anticipating and preparing for the next season. Don't stop doing what gives you great enjoyment in preparing for next season. Just so you know, the off season is also known as the silly season. Have fun.
Man what a day it would have been for an autocross today. To bad my car is scattered all over the shop.:( Amdaman I use a Nikon Coolpix 6mp camera and it shoots great movies and can even be directly connected to my TV. It was about $100 if I remember correctly. It will store 1 hour of it's best quality video on a 2gig SD card.
Cool, then that one I posted a link to should work great and it is just over hundred if I remember right like $135ish. Another thing I liked about it, is it comes with a water proof case that you can put it in to take videos while it is raining outside as well. I can also use it for so much more so I will get all the other uses out of it that I am looking for as well as being able to use it for the autocross and Dragracing.Quote:
Originally Posted by creek
Cone-Cerned, thanks for telling me two things I didn't even think about needing. The blue painters tape, I do remember someone saying it but totally forgot about that for my list, I already have it in the garage just need to have it on my list of things to have on hand for race days. The air pump is something else I have but didn't even think about putting on my list either. I read all about making sure to have that extra air in the tires for racing, but for someone reason it didn't click in my head that I had that already. Thanks again.</STRONG>
I heard about this on NPR and decided I want one for Christmas.. a HD video recorder that records in 16:9 ratio 720p High Definition, weighs 3 ounces, is the size of an Ipod and sells for $200....HD Youtube here I come! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...outThisProduct
I thought as long as you were looking at cameras......
Thanks for showing me that one. I ended up liking all the videos I saw from this one. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10269853Quote:
Originally Posted by creek
I ended up buying it and it will be here on Thursday or Friday. I also all the mounting hardware you can buy for it so you can use it just about anywhere you would ever want to.
That is close to the one I ordered, but I don't see anywhere about it having a mic on it where as the one I ordered does. I don't know I just want to be sure I am also getting sound. That one may have a mic but even if you goto the companies website it still isn't mentioned and I can fine any videos on there site taken with this camera.
I will have mine either tomorrow or Friday if everything works out. I will take some videos with it and post a link up to them so you can see them from someone who has actually used it.
What ever choice you make I hope you will be happy with it as I am hoping I will be happy with this one I have purchased.
If we can find a mount that will support an 8lb camera, I might strap the Xl to the car for a quick video
Ya that is a little heavy. That is what makes both of those small camera's really nice. They aren't heavy and they have mounts you can buy for them.
I just picked up one of these. Looking forward to taking it to track events. Definitely need to get a new mount since the ones I have are for a bullet camera.Quote:
Originally Posted by Magma
amdman - love your enthusiasm. You will be even more enthusiastic after your first autocross event. It's a lot of fun.
I totally respect your wish list. But consider the fact that autocross is not an endurance sport. Instead, it's something that requires short bursts of intense concentration. You will probably only get 4 to 7 minutes of track time in a day in 40 to 50 second increments. (not counting the instructional days...I'm mainly referencing my experience at SCCA events)
That being said - the camera is a blast. I've recorded several events. Definitely fun for sharing with friends and family. I don't know how it's going to help you get better at driving - but you can always hope. (Honestly - it's more of a distraction than anything. "Did I get that? What does it look like? Where should I put the camera for the next run? Oh crap...what are my tire pressures? What? There's a cone stuck under my car? Help me get it out! Shoot...I'm holding up the grid! Sorry...")
Items I recommend (that I haven't already seen mentioned):
Cash for food or a cooler with lunch in it
A few towels (in case something gets rained on and needs to be dried off)
Plastic garbage bags (for your trash and to put things in if it rains)
Sun screen
A hat
A folding/camping chair (there will be plenty of time to sit in it)
A friend (to talk to when sitting in your folding chair)
And the #1 thing you can do that will improve your driving skill (besides seat time) is get an experienced driver to take you around the course in your own car with you as a passenger. Then swap and let him (or her) ride shotgun so that they can comment on what you're doing.
Have fun!