NJMP thunderbolt laps 4 9 11

[yellowss7]

Here's a compostition of a few laps at NJMP's Thunderbolt course from April 9th. First time out this season, with the new Brooklands screen and Mirrors. Mirrors were worthless on the first session as they vibrated loose and I had NO rear vision so I cut that session short. I took it pretty easy as it was the first time out, temp was around 50f and the tires never really got any heat into them. Just a fun day playing on the track shaking down the car after a long winters nap.

 

New video cam worked well, but you'll notice a shake at higher speeds. I've made a few tweaks to the mount and hopefully it will not vibrate at speed. I'm doing another day on NJMP's lightning course this coming Friday, so we'll see if it's fixed.

 

Tom

 

[/url]

[BMW RACER]

Car sounds great!

 

Looks like a fun track.

 

What kind of camera are you using?

[yellowss7]

I bought this camera and recorder package on Ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/RAGECAMS-1080P-HELMET-CAM-HD-BULLET-CAMERA-RECORDER-AV-/350374727604?pt=Camcorders_Professional_Video_Cameras&hash=item5193f60fb4

 

It's an all inclusive package that has the camera permenently connected to the recorder by a 6 foot cable. 2 batteries, charger, cables, a wireless remote and a couple mounting options. Key feature for me was a remote mic that i could get out of the wind. If you have a coupe you can use the built in. Viewing angle is good too at 130 degrees I think.

 

Records to an SD card. Batteries are rated for 1.5 hours each. Replacement batteries can be had on ebay for $8 to $10.

 

I used two mounts and mounted the camera and the recorder to the petty strut. I can then turn on the recorder from my driving position and see that it's on and recording. Playback screen is good for setting up the camera angle and viewing what you recorded.

 

I found another vendor that had it listed at half the price with a make an offer option that saved me another $30. I'll search and see if they are still offering it.

 

Easy to use. Also will take still photos, and the lens has a zoom feature as well in the photo mode.

 

Tom

Edited April 20, 2011 by yellowss7

[Croc]

Congratulations Herr Kapitan on surviving that pit exit puddle in your U-Boat! :ack: Dont the organizers clear obstacles like that away? I am glad your new camera was waterproof.

 

Looks like a really nice day - despite taking it gentle you were still reeling them in easily.

 

The camera looks a nice piece of kit. How come it comes up on you tube with two black bands top and bottom of the image - almost as if it is too short an image? What resolution in HD did you set it to? The best thing about the cam is the sound. So many race cams have crap sound because the microphone is in the wind. With yours I could hear the Healey in front of you at points. Where did you mount the mic in the car?

[Kitcat]

Wow! Fun!

 

That little Ariel Atom pulled like a freight train. Used all the track too. Looked like you had him in the corners but on the straights he was gone. And there is a lot of straight on that course. Is that the track we are using for the June NJMP meet-up? If so, I may need to add a supercharger:).

 

BTW, you drive better when you are trying to catch the guy on front of you-better lines, more aggressive throttle, etc.

 

I just bought a Go-Pro. I liked the simplicity of the package. Apparently sound quality sucks, tho, we'll see. Your sound was terrific.

[yellowss7]

Croc, It is NOT a Uboat, It's a CATERMARAN. That puddle was obviously left over from the first session, which I was smart enough not to run. I think only 4 cars went out in that session and most came in after a lap or two. The track was completely wet at 9am. That first segment was around 10:15 or so and there was another wet spot that I didn't include which threw my car about 4 feet to the right in a perfect four wheel drift, that scared the crap out of me.

 

The mic has a 3 foot cord, so I have it mounted on the tranny tunnel in front of the shifter, so you do get a little gear whine and wind noise with the engine note, but not too much.

 

Yes the camera is waterproof, and the recorder is weather resistant. That puddle completely surprised me as it came over the car.

 

As for the black bars on Youtube, I have no idea. When I click on that clip it opens with the full picture and no bars, and if you click on the Full screen button, it goes full screen and no bars too.

 

I shot it in 1080P 30 fps. I sent it to Youtube in 720p. No reason, I just did.

 

The camera does have 3 modes, plus the still photo option that you can set it in. 1080p 30fps, 720p 30 fps and one other that allows 60 fps for slow mo capablilties. Yeah I know, I was going too slow for the slow mo option, :svengo::rofl:

 

Hopefully, my bodge will fix most of the shake that occured at the higher speeds.

 

I just hope you, Karl and Ron stay in the frame long enough for me to get some footage of you. Maybe that's when I'll use the slo mo option. :cooldude:

 

Tom

Edited April 20, 2011 by yellowss7

[yellowss7]

Mike M. That track is Thunderbolt, the slightly longer of the two courses. That is the track for the second day if you are staying for it.

 

The 27ths track is Lightning, which I have not run on yet, but plan to do this Friday. I understand that it is more of a momentum course. Long sweepers, a couple of tight turns and a REALLY long front straight that ends with an uphill right hander. I'll report in after I run it on Friday.

 

And yes that Atom was quick. 300hp and turbo charged. Sounded great. I didn't include all of it but he was chasing me for 2 or 3 laps prior to me letting him pass. He was just learning the car so I'm sure he was a little cautious in the turns.

 

Yeah, when I'm out there by myself, I tend not to over do it and it is definately more fun to follow someone. That's why I think a nice group of 7s would be a blast on the track together. No one holding anyone up in the corners and with the exception of the Monster triplets, no big advantage on the straights.

 

Tom

[Kitcat]

Tom:

 

Any improvements noticed w/the Brooklands (top end/acceleration, etc)?

 

Mike M.

[Croc]

Croc, It is NOT a Uboat, It's a CATERMARAN.

 

:rofl:

 

Any improvements noticed w/the Brooklands (top end/acceleration, etc)?

 

 

Yes - he has more splattered bugs on his helmet!

[yellowss7]

Mike, I can't say I noticed any real difference in acceleration or top end as I wasn't really pushing it. But i do feel that it REDUCED the wind buffeting significantly. And I did notice that I got LESS braking assist when I lifted at the end of the straight.

 

If I get the mirror situation straightened out I will say that it is an improvement over the full windscreen. I just mounted my third set of side mirrors. Hopefully this set is tall enough and stick out far enough to give me a little better rear view.

 

The Center mirror should be OK now that I retapped a coupling nut to give a little better support, although I do still get a little shake from the mounting to the brooklands band itself.

 

I do like the looks of the car with them on.

 

Tom

[jimrankin]

The video didn't seem any beter than my GOPRO but your right, GOPRO sound sucks for autosports (and they spout good sound as being a big thing on their website). If they had a remote mike it would probably sound a lot like yours does. With the car parked it does do a great job of picking up pit conversations and cars on track (I forget to push STOP a lot) LOL.

On the sound alone I'd have gone your route!