Croc

S1Steve and I went last year. Top show and worth checking out. Get there early as the traffic congestion and parking situation becomes really messy in the afternoon if you leave it too late. Ping Steve a PM - I am sure he would want to turn up again. I will think of you while I am lying on a beach in Bora Bora with my favorite drinks. :cheers:

Yep - have had that happen to my current seven (sierra diff LSD internal)first time I put it on track. Was not overfilled but was still dropping a bit out the vent tube. Seems to be more common the hotter the ambient temps got. I ended up installing a catch tank around the side of the fuel tank. A little bit collects but not a lot - I empty it once a year and top up levels same time. I did top up once when a little more than average was observed. Never had an dribbling issue since.

Welcome Jeff! I am sure more than a few of us would be only to keen to help you get into a seven! Plenty of owners in TX who could take you out for a taster! Does the replay mic that you are using allow you to set gain? I have not seen that feature in video mics before?

I can soooo relate to this frustration :iamwithstupid: :seeya:

There are levels of logging and you need to work out what level you want to play at. Level 1 - up to $100 Harry's laptimer produces good results in iPhoneys and Androids http://www.gps-laptimer.de/Home.html Tom gets good results out of it. He uses a small separate GPS sensor to get 10hz signals which are needed since the GPS in the phones is just too slow. Another option I am aware of is TrackAddict http://www.racerender.com/TrackAddict/Features.html Each of these can sync the data to video through RaceRender. You could also use Dashware but I think RaceRender is easier to use and you can use multiple videos in RaceRender (tested back to back by me). Dashware confirmed by email to me that you cannot sync multiple videos and data. While the Dashware graphics are better I was a little disappointed in Dashware. They display videos on their site that you actually cannot produce by their software alone - you need to edit through green screen post production - the website was misleading to me. So RaceRender wins for an easier and more straightforward solution. A non-syncing solution is Vidometer http://www.hitcase.com/vidometer Auto syncs video and data on an iPhone. Problem is the GPS in a Iphone is only 2hz so it is not very accurate. I once did 5mph in the bar at NJMP with a beer in hand standing still. Level 2 - up to $600 Here is where you find dedicated GPS-based loggers on a budget. I use Racechrono Touchscreen Pro and like it a lot. Easy to use and install. Can be transferred to other cars easily. Batteries last the day. Other products similar: - AIM Solo GPS - QStarz LT6000 I have not used the AIM but have used the QStarz and would not recommend it. Fussy to set up at each track the first time. Hit and miss in how it records data. Its user interface is not as intuitive as the Racechrono. The reviews I have read of the AIM Solo have been positive. You can also buy it in OBDII and CAN versions for plugging into the interface. Each of these needs some form of sync later via RaceRender/Dashware. Level 3 - well over $1000 and on upwards This is the territory of the dedicated logger/camera integrated unit. All require some form of wiring into the car to make work. - Racelogic/VBox - Traqmate - AIM - Chasecam - Racepak - Racetechnology - Stack - Motec - Cosworth There are a couple of racers on Blatchat who swear by Stack. Hopefully you can actually use their stuff because Caterham may have locked out the functionality in their "wisdom" on their stack gauges? I would think your short list here is Traqmate, ChaseCam and AIM and possibly Stack as their price points are lower. Blubarisax uses AIM Smartycam. It seems to work well and he managed to wire it together to get the sensors overlaying the camera. I am disappointed in the 480 resolution of the camera and the audio but it is an effective driving learning tool. Traqmate is used by JeffH and MichaelD on here but they do not sync it to video - just use it as a driver aid. It allows you to mix and match with a few camera options, including HD. I think CertifiedLotus on here also uses Traqmate in his Exige and he would probably sync the data and video because he is a lovable geeky techie like me. I have seen 2 very professionally done Chasecam installations about a year ago but both were non-HD cameras as they did not offer HD video quality. Not sure if this changed. I liked the simplicity of how the equipment is designed. I used a Vbox at Oulton Park. Not a great image quality but automatic syncing of data and images with an acceptable quality of images - better than the AIM. Sound is ok. Ok as a driver aid. Racelogic software for track analysis is just superb though. Here is the link for a sample: For contrast here is a GoPro HD2 with racechrono data synced with Dashware taken the same day on the same car and track (and I screwed up the external mic and the mount so ignore the static and focus on image quality for comparison) Maybe it is worth having a chat with Rob Feeny (sp?) at Performance Information Technologies at NJMP. http://www.njmp.com/competitors/driver-services.html I think you met him at the Sevens weekend at NJMP as he was frequently checking in on us. He is also an NJMP member which is how I know him. He can do the iphone solutions and upwards in price.

Well the JVC will not help you as that does not have an external mic option. At least it did not in its just superseded version. And I never saw a good review on its audio. Not sure if the new release for late this month does have an external mic? Xcarguy on here is working with a Replay. I like the small size but it seems to have audio processing problems from the youtube I see of his but that could be because of operator challenges? Never tested a Contour but someone else here probably has. I rank the GoPro (HD2 for me) marginally over the Drift HD Ghost for sound capture using an external mic. The HD2 captures very noisy environment (i.e. our cars) much better without distorting. The GoPro Black/Silver are supposed to be better again. The same mic was used in my back to back testing. This is a marginal win in my view as they are pretty close and I am being fussy in my evaluation. However, the Ghost is a much better package design overall - all in one design makes it much cheaper than a GoPro Silver where you have to buy all the options (eg, viewing screen). The swivel lens is very helpful in getting upright images without ball head mounting adapters. Also a very helpful customer service function. A GoPro Black will beat the Ghost easily for quality but at what cost?

I am just well endowed Seriously, I enjoy the mental challenge of something like this. It takes away from the stresses of work and forces me to relax by doing something completely different. I also have a lot of downtime spending 120,000 miles on aircraft each year and the associated airports wasting time.

I did leave out 2 clips of you getting the left front into the dirt at turn 1. I also left out the clips of you in your underwear trying to fathom how a GoPro works at home before the event - that will teach me to copy everyones GoPro memory cards without checking recorded date. Thanks for the tour of your basement and garage too! There was 125GB of video to review. :ack: I also left out 1 off moment on for MichaelD and myself each. That little mini horn is from the movie and I only used it on your car twice in one clip when the Miata was being an obstruction (again) and I thought you were justified in using it. MichaelD was always using his horn. The trackside video was beautifully done by Gus (I put him in the credits), who was with Stewart. Very steady hands and a great camera - should have taken note of what model it was as the images are excellent.

Disconnect battery. Pull hazard switch out of dash and disassemble, clean contacts and put back together. Reconnect battery. I follow the same process for all those Caterham rocker switches

A video from the US East Coast group of Seven enthusiasts track weekend on June 22/23 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Lightning Circuit. It is based on The Italian Job - the original Michael Caine one (the best one IMHO). All the voiceovers and music comes from there. You will see the blasted Miata (Mafia?) makes an appearance all too much as his driving was so bad, creating interesting moments trying to get around him as he refused to give a point by. It is in 720HD good enough for larger viewing window it you select from the cogged wheel in the bottom left of the YT screen. There material to the end of the song despite where the credit page comes up. If any of those joined in the fun that day want to buy a set of track photos from the weekends I can send you a set by flash drive or upload through Dropbox. Price is $50 which is 50% off the price charged by the photographer as we negotiated bulk deal. Includes all cars not just yours. Thanks to everyone for making such a fun annual event - bring on 2014!

Our video of our Sevens track weekend on June 22/23 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Lightning Circuit is now finished. It is based on The Italian Job - the original Michael Caine one (the best one IMHO). All the voiceovers and music comes from there. You will see the blasted Miata (Mafia?) makes an appearance all too much as his driving was so bad, creating interesting moments trying to get around him as he refused to give a point by. It is in 720HD good enough for larger viewing window it you select from the cogged wheel in the bottom left of the YT screen. There material to the end of the song despite where the credit page comes up. If any of those joined in the fun that day want to buy a set of track photos from the weekends I can send you a set by flash drive or upload through Dropbox. Price is $50 which is 50% off the price charged by the photographer as we negotiated bulk deal. Includes all cars not just yours. Thanks to everyone for making such a fun annual event - bring on 2014!

The reference to pad knoock-off/knockback brings up another topic - it is amazing how many drivers these days do not do a check pump of the brake pedal (just to the point of feeling a touch of bite) before launching into a braking zone. If you go back 20 years the brakes were unreliable enough on track after a few laps in nearly all cars that I ran (due to pad knockback or fade) that it was essential to quick pump to make sure you did not have your brake pedal go to the floor just when you need it.

Klasik -

Similar experience here. I usually replace my front bearings each year as they have had it by the end of a season even though I keep them packed with grease. Fortunately on my CSR the fronts are from a Mustang - cheap Ford parts - not used to going around corners! The rear bearings have always behaved - from a 2000 VW Passat from memory.

Here is how they made a Lotus 51 for the road in the UK:http://www.sportscarmarket.com/car-reviews/classic-and-collector-cars/race/2346-1968-lotus-51r Now if that was imported over here I bet it could be registered as an historic in most states. However starting from scratch, all I can say is good luck!

I like your helmet Jackal. :cooldude: Will it still be in date when you get to use it?

I will offer a variation to the above. I have never worn a helmet while driving the seven - interstate or back roads. And I have done some longish drives on both. However, last year, driving home from work on I-95, near Newark airport, in my Audi A4 daily driver, a tractor trailer kicked up a 1 foot section of steel pipe into my windscreen/A pillar. One end ended up embedded in the drivers side head rest. Fortunately I ducked but I was very shaken from the experience. If I had been in the seven I would have been fine as the pipe would have sailed over the top of me. But it does not take much to imagine the consequences of what if it hit the pathetic little non-structural windscreen of a seven. A helmet may not have stopped something like that but I would prefer to be wearing it rather than not should an event like that occur. Lots of things get kicked up on roads, highways especially, such as rocks, pebbles, tire debris, exhaust bolts from Zetec Caterhams you are following, etc It depends how you like the odds when you want to roll the dice? That is a calculation you have to make based on personal preference and location. Its a little more risk in NYC area than it is in Montana for example.

He went off to pick some flowers for the girlfriend! Well....its helped explain a few of my spins over the years! :jester:

That sounds just so wrong. Do you check out the latest fashions or maybe some manolo blahnik shoes? Or are you just trying to hook up? :jester:

I will not make that mistake again. I had never driven a seven in Manhattan before, but was coming back from Long Island local Lotus car club cruise and thought I would take the midtown tunnel and then head south to pick up the Holland Tunnel as that was quicker than going home the long way around on the Belt Parkway and Verrazanzo Bridge and back up through Bayonne. I then thought it would be cool to show off through Times Sq. Dumb! Within the first block of Manhattan I realized I was monumentally stupid as all the taxis were changing lanes on top of me as I was 1) below their window sill height 2) they dont use mirrors for changing lane 3) they never look anywhere changing lanes and 4) they don't use indicators So I trundled down Broadway, using the horn all the time to keep other cars away and got stopped by a red light at 46th - front row, dead center. So everyone stopped on the crosswalk and crowded around the car to take photos, shake hands, more photos, chat/yell, etc. Light goes green and nothing can move - gridlock. NYC's finest cops wander up (complete c%^&s), abuse everyone, abuse me for disturbing the peace, accuse me of driving an unregistered car, the crowd abuse them back, .....you know the usual scene in Times Square. Eventually I squeezed through and on my way....until I found the red light at 45th street...oops!....repeat again. BTW, the Holland Tunnel was epic for driving a seven through...just great acoustics! :cooldude: Jon (Boxologist) on here regularly drives through Manhattan in his Caterham. Somewhere on this forum there are some very arty photos of his car around Manhattan very early in the morning in various states of broken down following a similar Gumball re-enactment to Mr Mustang. :flag:

Thread 3 shows a Dutton build plate but it does not look like their seven replica, the S1? Also the only Dauer I ever heard of was a 962 replica. Maybe it was an Eddie Bauer edition? :rofl:

Is it me or is that car an evil handler? I dont recall any Porker 911 being so frisky? Or was the driver over driving it for a bit of fun? Lovely display of car control under either option!

I have not tested the camera but looking at the external mic and its sound specs I can get a sense of it being comparable to the Crocolis camera I have used. The Replay external mic is a variation of the AT3350. Powered are powered mics using the LR44 battery. Given the very compact size of the camera I would not be surprised if you have inbuilt compromizes on the ability of the camera to process sound recordings from demandingly loud environments. My suggestion to improve matters would be: 1) get a 3.5mm extender cable (3.5mm male end and a 3.5mm female end) that will allow you to go from the camera back to the engine bay. These are cheap. http://www.amazon.com/iMBAPrice-iMBA-PS-06MF-6-Feet-Plated-Extension/dp/B009UEBQIM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1374699424&sr=8-3&keywords=3.5mm+extension 2) Place the Replay mic in the engine bay somewhere out of the way where it cannot be eaten, burned, fried or otherwise destructive in rapidly rotating belts. I tape mine down to be sure. i am assuming that the end cap shown in the Replay XD external mic kit can be removed for this? 3) Give it a test. 4) If that test shows wind noise then look for a mini windcutter dead cat/kitten/pussy to mask the wind and try again. 5) If the test in 3) does not reveal wind noise but shows that the mic cannot handle the sound - breaking up, distortion, hoover noises, etc, then you have an issue with the mic. Maybe start cheap and try the AT3350 first as a replacement. Its a good little mic for the money but I just found they would break on me. Admittedly I am using them in a very demanding automotive environment!

I think I was referring to dead pussy as dry humor for a cat that has expired. However, there are things for cutting wind noise on microphones called dead cats or dead kittens - here for example: http://www.amazon.com/Rode-DEADKITTEN-Dead-Kitten-Windscreen/dp/B0017JHU10/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1374693858&sr=8-2&keywords=dead+cat+windscreen They actually work quite well although I have lost and burned quite a few through my experimentation. I prefer the ones from www.windcutter.com as Rebekah the owner has been very helpful in providing advice. Much of my equipment was loaner from various suppliers and connections with me being a journalist reviewing the equipment for a newletter (and I did write articles). More than once I have returned equipment in a non-operative condition and escaped punishment. The cameras are all this way although I have since bought the Braun SixZero as that is one brilliant little camera and my GoPros are slowly dying off. I also bought some used (as new) microphone equipment on Amazon or Fleabay and saved a packet. I was not drunk when I taped the mic to the exhaust - I was having a blonde moment. Yellowss7 and Blubarisax were on track with me that day and luckily did not notice. Me in the electronics business? Nah! Just a boring little accountant/actuary The AT Pro-CM24 was mounted on Mike's (Kitcat) car. Really just taped down the mic to the aloominum with painters tape so it could not move or rattle leaving the foam covered microphone exposed. We removed the stand thing that it came with. The wire from the mic to the camera was also run along the side of the car and up the roll bar to the camera with painters tape holding it temporarily. A little more thought could make a neater permanent solution. When pricing on amazon, look at the "More buying choices" options. They have the items cheaper again.

So now my question is does it work with other cameras? Yes – tested the AT689 with the Drift HD Ghost and the Braun Six Zero with mic mounted up under the bonnet above the passenger foot well. Braun Six Zero and AT 689 Drift HD Ghost The Drift camera is not quite as good as processing sound as the Go Pro or other cameras with an external microphone. It picks up the deeper intake notes but seems to have trouble with the higher pitch notes once the intake is closed. Seems like Lesson 2 holds true. Lesson 11 - Some level of testing is required to make sure these solutions work on your seven. There is no out of the box solution for a seven So then I tried separate digital recorders, both mounted in the cockpit using the screw clamp mount. The first tried was a Tascam DR05 and the second was a Zoom H1. Most professional videos will use a separate recording source rather than use a mic attached to an action camera. This makes sense when you think about it as a digital recorder of sound is a complex piece of equipment, larger than the action cameras we are using. So its dynamic range, sensitivity of mic, noise reduction, and general ability to record a good track is always going to be better than the comprised equipment contained within a tiny GoPro box or the like. The one big downside with these is you have to spend time post production synchronizing video with sound (either with the regular video editing package or an application like Race Render. When you start recording you would clap to get a visual and aural cue from which to base the synchronization However, I found the vibrations from the car killed both the Tascam and then the Zoom H1. They would turn themselves off or just not record. So they were returned for refunds. Lesson 12 – Digital recorders offer the promise of better sound recording but more stuff to fuss with to record and sync with video later. Better to keep it simple. What sounds good to me does not sound good to others. Being a young stud on this forum I prefer a little more bass in my sound mix. Others prefer a little more treble when they hear their car recorded using my equipment. Lesson 13 – Sound is a personal thing. You may not like what I like – so experiment. This is my view on getting decent video sound on a Seven drive or track day. I don’t profess to know all the answers so please constructively contribute with details and examples of what you think works well for mic position/location and equipment used.