Lap Timers / Data Logging

[jamesrose]

Hi All,

I managed to pass my ARDS test last week at Silverstone so I am now keen to make the move from track days and get a couple of test days under my belt.

Now that I will be able to do some timing, what systems are people on here using ? I dont need anything too complicated but would like to be able to get the times down onto a laptop and run some simple analysis.

Any ideas ?

Thanks

[double d racing]

Hi James
Congratulations .... you will see by my other posts I am not the most techy guy here......
If you simply want to acquire and assess lap times only then this is what you need....
http://www.rollcentre.co.uk/rollcentre/html/t200_l...
Its also available via demon tweeks page 235 but more expensive....( same product own labelled)
I've never bought a beacon as the on circuit signal triggers it.
Hope that helps..
David
FOB
91

[double d racing]

p.s. it will ONLY ever record lap times, but you can download to excel. Therefore if you think you will want MORE info then look for a more sophisticated product.
David
91

[nick997]

How about one of these http://www.race-technology.com/description_2_47.ht... that are fairly widely used I believe. It's easy to go overboard on what the system will do and what you will actually use. Mine's built into the car and displays via the steering wheel all sorts of theoretically useful info, most of which I haven't used. Laptimes are the obvious thing but it also useful to see oil pressure to get an idea on condition of the motor. Breaking the laptime into sections is also quite useful to see what your ultimate lap time is.

They are quite interesting things to play with but I suspect £500 spent on a days training would probably yield more results than £500 on the above.

[Simon T]

Hi,

Pound spent per second of lap time reduced my data logger is by far the best thing I've ever bought. If you want to discuss drop me a mail with a contact number

Simon

www.tillingmotorsport.com

[fergus]

Simon T said:

Pound spent per second of lap time reduced my data logger is by far the best thing I've ever bought.

see http://www.amazon.co.uk/Competition-Data-Logging-M... for a decent introductory guide.

If you subscribe to Race Tech magazine, there are regular articles in there regarding using simple data logging to setup the car, assess suspension setup, monitor driver inputs, etc.

The trick is to get confident with the basics, so you can get the most out of these prior to going balls out with suspension potentiometers, etc!

[ScottHughes]

I have an Alfano system which is a very good entry level system that can be expanded later? can download to PC and has full circuit mapping etc.

This is the system I have, works at Castle Combe, Donnington, and Silverstone so should work just about anywhere.

http://www.alfano.com/page1.php?Nom=Produits&r...

[splitpin]

Well Done James, Good On Yer.

Like FOB, my advice is to KISS to start with, don't get blinded by 'science'*, but do take the invaluable benefit of Mr T's advice by talking to him to ensure you buy in upgradability to match and assist your personal development.

• I'm in the design business and it's often been quiped that every design company should have an no-design flair accountant as one of it's Directors: Why? > That way, you'll have financial chapter and verse on why you went bust.

Edited by splitpin on Friday 11th December 00:58

[Count Johnny]

Love my Digidash steering wheel system and the - even I can use it, and I'm hopeless - analysis software.

http://www.etbinstruments.com/DD_ss.htm

If you go their Technical Help page download the software, and upload some example data, you can have a play FOC ahead of time.

[gaxor]

Count Johnny said:

Love my Digidash steering wheel system and the - even I can use it, and I'm hopeless - analysis software.

http://www.etbinstruments.com/DD_ss.htm

If you go their Technical Help page download the software, and upload some example data, you can have a play FOC ahead of time.

And they have our crystals in them

[jamesrose]

Thanks for your input everyone...

What are the rules if you wanted to use a Digidash / Race Technology Dash with regards to entering the radical club cup. From reading the 2010 regs it would appear that you have to run with the existing original Radical Dash ?

Simon - thanks, i'll drop you an email.

[fergus]

jamesrose said:

What are the rules if you wanted to use a Digidash / Race Technology Dash with regards to entering the radical club cup. From reading the 2010 regs it would appear that you have to run with the existing original Radical Dash ?

Don't know what the rules are, but you can plumb in another dash in parallel, but make sure you don't rob the original dash of any signal inputs or corrupt the signal at all.

[splitpin]

jamesrose said:

What are the rules if you wanted to use a Digidash / Race Technology Dash with regards to entering the radical club cup. From reading the 2010 regs it would appear that you have to run with the existing original Radical Dash ?

Speak to Amanda @ Radical; my experience is that they are far from unreasonable about allowing non Radical stuff that provides no inherent advantage.

[Count Johnny]

[quote=gaxor And they have our crystals in them
[/quote]

Is that AEL Crystals, Gary?

[gaxor]

Now you mention it I think it is !

[nick997]

Strange, I opened a box plastered in AEL Crystals stickers the other day to find a load of sprockets for a SR4. Thanks for these Gary.

[DarioT]

I think the beacon timer is ok, but if you want to compare lap upon lap (not all laps have the same fastest splits) and for this reason you probably need to know where you were faster or slower on previous laps and on which sections of the track need more work / effort.

The race logic system that i use allows for this to be done with this type of analysis.



http://www.onboardvision.co.uk/main/Racelogic_Vbox...

If i could ensure that i could get enough uptake next year at race days or testing days I would bring my systems to these events. i will have 15 Racelogic Video Vbox systems and would need a minimum of 8-10 to make the day worth while at circa £85 per unit (twin camera) per day. analysis software included, racers would have to use their own windows based PC for the analysis.

Dario

[jp-speed-triple]

its getting SO commercial round here....lol

[Count Johnny]

nick997 said:

Strange, I opened a box plastered in AEL Crystals stickers the other day to find a load of sprockets for a SR4. Thanks for these Gary.

Good ol' AEL Crystals!

[gaxor]

Purveyors of the finest frequency control components in the world - probably