In-Car Video, the “Bringer of Truth”

[Mmagus]

I know that most of you are running in-car video, in case you aren’t, you may want to consider it. I have a love hate relationship with my in-car video. I LOVE: that I am able to see what line I took, where I tracked out, what gear I was in during which section, what my hand position was and what actually happened in those moments on the track. I HATE: that I am able to see what line I took, where I tracked out, what gear I was in during which section, what my hand position was and what actually happened in those moments on the track. In-car video is the Bringer of Truth.

Sure, I “thought” the car broke loosen the uphill sweepers due to too much speed. Mark R. had encouraged me to try the section in 3rd gear at full throttle without lifting, when it broke loose I said to myself, “Well Mark, I tried, but it didn’t work.” When I later viewed the video, and slowed it down, I saw The Truth that in fact I had turned too abruptly and not eased Tuffy through the turn correctly and that abruptness caused the 4 wheel drift I found myself saving. I was also able to see where picked up second after second driving the wrong line, in fact I am pretty sure I drove the first quarter of the track entirely wrong…after I watched the video.

In-car vids can be done very inexpensively. I use a $99 Cannon digital camera (yay K-Mart) with a 16gig SD card so I can shoot 133+min of 640x480, 30fps footage. The camera lets me shoot 40 min at time. Each is different so make sure to test yours if you plan on using it. I made my camera mount using thin scrap aluminum and a pair of tin-snips, I then attached it to my harness bar. Total mount cost…$0

Stop by Tuffy on May 15th if you want to see my home-made set up. If you have considered it I encourage you, do it, you’ll love it….and hate it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyX_6j-d0m0

[mrondeau]

Mark, It's amazing how much a little extra input can cost you. Good job using the video as a teaching tool and for recognizing the "truth". You'll continue to improve.

If it makes you feel any better, I was told by a few of the corner workers in that section that very few drivers stayed on the gas through there and more than a few were actually on the brakes coming up the hill.

[LUCKY DAVE]

I collect video of every lap in every event, and watch at least some of it later on a big screen in my garage (man cave).
Observing what you're doing (as opposed to what you think you're doing) will help you understand how you can improve your performance.
Much of the learning about driving takes place not in the car, but in the time you spend thinking about it.
An old racer's mental improvement technique is called "visualization". It goes like this: Sit by yourself with no distractions and a stop watch in your hand. Close your eyes and "drive" laps (at full pace) on the track where you're trying to improve. Click the watch every time you cross the start/finish.
If you are really concentrating, your lap times will be surprisingly close to the actual times you run at that track. The whole point is to rehearse go fast technique and strategy, it's a form of mental practice.

[gulf911]

I was told by a few of the corner workers in that section that very few drivers stayed on the gas through there and more than a few were actually on the brakes coming up the hill.

Those would be called "Nine Elevens"....if they stayed on the gas in third they would end up through the fence in the middle of the street.....

[LUCKY DAVE]

I was told by a few of the corner workers in that section that very few drivers stayed on the gas through there and more than a few were actually on the brakes coming up the hill.

Those would be called "Nine Elevens"....if they stayed on the gas in third they would end up through the fence in the middle of the street.....

I stayed full on the gas in third up the hill without hitting the fence. Cars that can do that are called "nine fourty fours"

[gulf911]

ummm Dave, thats why I clipped Marks post... He drives a 944, so I was comparing... oh never mind...

[Steve Grosekemper]

ummm Dave, thats why I clipped Marks post... He drives a 944, so I was comparing... oh never mind...

I was driving a 911 and was on the gas all the way up the hill... not 100% throttle but well into it and throttle steering as needed.
Full throttle would have been disastrous!

Patience grasshopper patience...

[mrondeau]

I was told by a few of the corner workers in that section that very few drivers stayed on the gas through there and more than a few were actually on the brakes coming up the hill.

Those would be called "Nine Elevens"....if they stayed on the gas in third they would end up through the fence in the middle of the street.....

Dan, Maybe you need better brakes, tires, suspension.....driver? I'm guessing those MMCLIX treadwear tires just weren't working for you. I'm sure that you're looking forward to the May AX when the world should right itself again. Until then,

[CrashBrown]

Gentlemen,
A wonderful thread that had me in belly laughs! Which brings me to my question which has absolutely nothing to do with cars. My ex-girlfriend asked what I found so amusing, so I told her to read your posts. After which she looked at me deadpan and asked, "What do you find so funny???"
So . . . is it just me, or the women that I pick?

[Dan Chambers]

I was told by a few of the corner workers in that section that very few drivers stayed on the gas through there and more than a few were actually on the brakes coming up the hill.

Those would be called "Nine Elevens"....if they stayed on the gas in third they would end up through the fence in the middle of the street.....

Funny .... I was on the gas all the way up the hill. Sometime near the floor ... with a 3.6L 300HP 911. And that on 1 year old 225/45/15 RA-1's. Maybe that's why I gotcha!

I recall you used to have a 944 at one time, Mr. "L.A." Andrews. Maybe you should re-consider getting another one. I'm sure Mark Rondeau could teach you how to beat AM and II cars with a GP 944. I'll pawn your Gulf car for parts. Seems you won't want it after learning how to drive in a 944.

(OK ... bring it!)

[993Panzer]

I collect video of every lap in every event, and watch at least some of it later on a big screen in my garage (man cave).
Observing what you're doing (as opposed to what you think you're doing) will help you understand how you can improve your performance.
Much of the learning about driving takes place not in the car, but in the time you spend thinking about it.
An old racer's mental improvement technique is called "visualization". It goes like this: Sit by yourself with no distractions and a stop watch in your hand. Close your eyes and "drive" laps (at full pace) on the track where you're trying to improve. Click the watch every time you cross the start/finish.
If you are really concentrating, your lap times will be surprisingly close to the actual times you run at that track. The whole point is to rehearse go fast technique and strategy, it's a form of mental practice.

I do a lot of instructing in a couple of Porsche clubs. I stress visualization and the Speed Secrets book on visualization. The stop watch technique was presented to me a by a pro driver. I've used it ever since. I also lay in bed a couple of nights before an event and run several laps through my mind before falling asleep. Seems to embed the track in my mind.

[jenniferreinhardt]

So . . . is it just me, or the women that I pick?

If you really love your girlfriend, (or, ahem, next girlfriend), get her to drive an AX, or better yet a PDS, and she might just start to like racing and understand it all. But then again, it might hurt your wallet a bit. This was a smart move for many of the guys in our club. The wives/ girlfriends who race start wanting tires and other various car mods for Birthdays, Valentines, Xmas...

[Jad]

+1 to Jennifers comment, both the good and bad parts.

If you really want to learn to go fast, lose the video camera and get a decent data acquisition unit. Under $1k and will teach way more than the camera, especially if you let others drive your car for comparison.

[gulf911]

ummm Dave, thats why I clipped Marks post... He drives a 944, so I was comparing... oh never mind...

I was driving a 911 and was on the gas all the way up the hill... not 100% throttle but well into it and throttle steering as needed.
Full throttle would have been disastrous!

Patience grasshopper patience...

Ok you rat bastages... I should have been clear and said 'full' gas in third... geez do I have to spell it out for you??

[gulf911]

+1 to Jennifers comment, both the good and bad parts.

If you really want to learn to go fast, lose the video camera and get a decent data acquisition unit. Under $1k and will teach way more than the camera, especially if you let others drive your car for comparison.

+1 Jad, could you come down and drive my car so I can see what not to do??...

I just bought a complete GPS data logger unit which includes the display for 625.00 and can use 5 additional inputs. Its the GPX pro and is half the cost of the others.