RKD in OKC

Okay so I've been autocrossing for over 10 years with various Porsches. I learned autocrossing while going through a very long and drawn out suspension upgrade and setup. I was working with a very very good mechanic that not only taught me what does what, but taught me how to be consistent in driving and reporting how the car handled so we could improve the setup.

Since then I have been very good at observation and adjustments to make me and my cars the car to beat.

All that being said a data aquisition system for autocrossing sure sounds like fun to monkey with to see where I can tweak to get a bit faster.

Doing and internet search the MaxQData system seems pretty cool I can look at my data between laps on my iPhone and integrate the data viewer with video on a laptop.

Anyone doing data aquisition and if so what system?

mark kibort

I would strongly suggest analyzing your driving with video. its a great tool and can be used for some basic data during a lap as well. (i.e. segment times, etc) .

RKD in OKC

The top MaxQData comes with a laptop and 2 cameras. They recommend on camera pointing out the window and the other at the driver. All of their "track" systems can display the data and segment times realtime during laps wirelessly to an iPhone mounted on the dash.

Guess I need to hit the Rennlist racing forums to find experienced users.

blitz928

Most everyone at the track around here have switched to tragmate.
...

http://store.traqmate.com/

mark kibort

experience has shown that you want the camera over the shoulder and forget about the happyface view of the driver. you want to be able to coordinate driver activities with telemetry data. Its very easy for a coatch to look at an over the shoulder view, on a track he is familar with, and analyze what you are doing and advize what to do to go faster otherwise, the data might be nice, but its VERY difficult to coordinate data with the visual references.

do you have any over the shoulder video at all?

m

RKD in OKC

No in car data of any kind. Amazing I am able to do what I do ain't it.

MaxQ does recommend the forward video be from behind the driver. Their software does sync the two videos with the view of the driver inset along with the data on the front window view. I was thinking the driver view needed to be over the shoulder point down so I could see the shifter, steering, and foot work.

cobalt

Unlike DE I find most serious SCCA autoX guys point one camera out the front window over the drivers shoulder viewing hand motion and course, a second either outside the drivers or passenger door pointing at the front tires or what I find most informative at the drivers feet.

I believe you will find traqmate is the most commonly used data system. You can share your results with other drivers using the same system. It will give you just about everything you need to know. Albeit expensive when you are done with cameras and everything else.

puyi

As I read the title oth that thread. I thought it would talk about data logging of the engine and other stuff usually seen in modern race car.....
IMHO, One of the best way to improve driving skills, is to learn with a professionnal driving teacher. Top alms drivers are commonly involve in such program.
nevertheless, The system you are talking about seemls interesting.

Puyi

RKD in OKC

puyi - these systems have severl auxilliary inputs to monitor whatever vehicle/engine dynamics you want. You can either tap into sensors or install your own.

I understand the Traqmate is the most popular, but don't think it is a big deal because most of these systems can save their data in the formats of the other systems to trade and compare files.

There was a car with two drivers that came to our last autocross with the full blown everything you can get traqmate system. Didn't know they were using it until lunch AFTER the event. That's when they downloaded and did their data analysis. Was cool and all seeing the difference in the two drivers. BUT Seemed a little late to do any good, especially for that autocross event.

The thing I like about the MaxQdata is it streams the data to your iPhone or Computer so you can pull up and do analysis while waiting between laps without waiting for the data to download to your laptop. From the searching the internets I see a lot of guys are using both systems. The MaxQ for on the track live lap and section time info and the traqmate for after session analysis.

i'm wondering if the software for either or both can be run on the car computer system planned for the touch screen console thing being currently developed.

OJ GTS

As a starting point (to see whether you're going to get a benefit from it or not), there are quite a few smart phone apps that can do simple datalogging when combined with a relatively inexpensive 10Hz external GPS antenna.

That will allow you to compare speed traces and thus look at braking points, corner minimums, corner exits etc etc. Basically all you need to start out before you go into more serious kit (and cash)

cobalt

You might want to check it out more closely you can review your info in the car if you like. All permanent data is ready to review. If you want to overlap video of your or others different runs you will need to download it to review. they might have been using older software.

svp928

Richard, the guys in the 997 GT3 forum are trying to get group-buy going- they have a lot of good info on these various systems and why they like them or not...

RKD in OKC

Thanks, Looks like they like the Race-Keeper system. It only has a 4hz gps which is fine for the track, but a little slow for autocross. The MaxQData does 20hz GPS. They don't seem to like the Traqmate because of video camera control problems and video syncing problems with downloaded to their laptops.

svp928

Yes, the Traqmate seems to still have some interface problems- and they don't have patience for it. I wouldn't either...