SundayDriver

I have the privilege of assisting a friend (and sometime Rennlist poster) in editing his new book on Race Car Data Acquisition. He is looking for some feedback on where to price this book.

Some background - the book is basic, in that it assumes only a small set of channels. However, it really gets into the meat when it comes to analysis (without math). Great practical lessons. I have read or looked at pretty much every data aq book out there, and have been very disappointed with almost all. This book is head and shoulders above any other I have seen.

Pricing - Of course everyone would like it as low-priced as possible, but realize that there is not a huge audience for such a book. He is self-publishing and only doing a vary small run for the first batch. If the price is too low, or it does not sell, then there will probably not be another printing.

FYI - I will have a more complete review of the book in the next week and will post a link to the review and how to buy the book (when that info is available). I have no economic stake in this.

So what would you be willing to pay for such a book?

BostonDMD

$50.....

amso3

Is it system specific(IE Motec, Aim, Racepack) or general use of data collected

SundayDriver

Analysis is generic and nothing specific to any system, though the graphics are from MoTeC.

Circuit Motorsports

30-50. Most likely on the lower end of that since it's a basic knowledge book and I'll assume nothing as exhaustive as Segers.

McBeath's is 35 and I imagine it's on that level of size and depth.

Tom W

Mark: How does your friend's book differ/compare to the SAE/Jorge Segers "Analysis Techniques" book? (or to the Simon McBeath book?) For comparative purposes, the SAE book is $80 and the McBeath book is $35.

Edit: I missed Joe's message before I wrote mine, didn't mean to duplicate...

SundayDriver

I don't have Segers but have seen it. As I recall, it is pretty heavy on math. I don't recall a lot of specifics as to what the driver is doing based on the data, but I could be wrong on that count.

McBeath - Personally I found that book to be useless. I have two of his other books, as well, and feel the same about them. Some history, some "I am really smart" and almost nothing of practical value.

As a reference point, 'we' recently had a 9 page session about shift points in this forum. I didn't find much of anything valuable in that thread. This book does a great job describing when to shift (and how to figure out when to shift) in about 1 page. Very direct, very useful.

On Edit - Some of the best material I have is from Optimum G, but that costs a LOT (the price of their class).

TeamDrugMoney

You tell Peter that I want a free signed copy! (I'm taking a guess at the author, but hope I am right!)

chris walrod

I'd bet CB is the author?

I've taken Claude's three day class, worth it!! Especially the jokes!!!

Rassel

Reading from above it seems like a book for DIY enthusiasts, so 50-60$.
That category of readers often struggle with a good workflow, so if the book guides into that it could be practically worth a lot more for the reader.

But it's hard to say without knowing what DA the book actually covers.

paradisenb

Price vs volume. I say $20-40.

I believe it would be wise to offier a download version (Kindle or ibook) and that will pull in a little less.

SundayDriver

Thanks and keep the comments coming.

I didn't say who wrote it to keep from influencing the price thoughts, but there are enough votes to see where it centers.

Chris is right that Chris is the author (and "my other brother Larry"). For those that don't know Chris Brown, he is an Engineer at MoTeC, travels to different pro events - did Indy cars last year, IMSA this coming season. Winning SRF (and other) racer. Good solid background with both data and driving. He has participated here, but not all that much - always very helpful when he does.

Cute title - "Making Sense of Squiggly Lines".
You can email him at books@cb-racing.com to get on the waiting list and, like I said - I will have a review on a website I am doing, plus I think we will have a couple of excerpts from the book in the next week or so.

Good idea on the Kindle - I will pass that on to him - thanks.

Again, more votes and comments help. I will point him to this thread later today.

chris walrod

Yes, Chris is a good guy!! Even though he's local to me and in the PCA, I only see him at the track oddly enough.

WHB Porsche

Bunch of cheap bastages. I'd pay $100 for 0.5 sec... and I know low-level data observations can get me at least that.

DanR

I will pay a lot more for 0.5 seconds