Need Video Cam Corder Mounting Ideas for Upcoming Track Day | FerrariChat
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Need Video Cam Corder Mounting Ideas for Upcoming Track Day

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by dave80gtsi, May 21, 2007.

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  1. dave80gtsi

    dave80gtsi Formula 3
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    Dave Meredith
    #1 dave80gtsi, May 21, 2007
    Going to be taking the 308 to a track for an upcoming day gig, and I would like to be able to attach a common small hand-held cam corder into the interior so to be able to film the laps from the driver's perspective.

    Specifically, I'd like to use some sort of a mount that might somehow attach to the passenger's seat headrest so that I can include the instrument panel into the shot. I would like to be able to go back later and critically judge my tach shift points, and such things as that. If I were to try to use some sort of a rear view mirror mount, or else a wind screen attachment for the cam corder, then I would not be able to include the dash gauges, so an idea like that would not be my first choice.

    What have you other folks done for this need in the past? Is there some vendor someplace that offers a cam corder mount catered particularly to this in-car application?

    In your experience, do you end up with a steady enough picture to be useful afterwards, or does the vibration and general motion of the car render the end result to be blurry and useless?

    Cheers - DM
     
  2. JimboMondial

    JimboMondial Karting

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    #2 JimboMondial, May 21, 2007
  3. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

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    #3 Birdman, May 23, 2007
    Neato!
     
  4. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

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    #4 FasterIsBetter, May 23, 2007
    Be careful when you attach a camcorder in your car for a track event. First of all, the sponsoring group may not allow it. Be sure to check when you go through tech inspection and ask about the camera mount. They will want to inspect it.

    Second, don't "jerry-rig" something up yourself. You want to be sure that how ever you mount it, it will stay put in the event of a crash or panic stop. The last thing you need is a camcorder becoming a missle in your car. Be sure it is mounted very securely, and the same thing goes for fire extinguishers (be sure its a metal mounting bracket, not plastic).
     
  5. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 staatsof, May 23, 2007
  6. dave80gtsi

    dave80gtsi Formula 3
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    #6 dave80gtsi, May 23, 2007

    Indeed so. That's the main reason for posting the inquiry here in the first place - looking for something bulletproof, without the need to reinvent the wheel.

    The link a couple of posts above is to a U.K. firm - does anyone here in the States has anything better to offer?

    Cheers - DM
     
  7. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 staatsof, May 23, 2007
    Yes, it mounts on your roll Bar/Cage or harness bar.

    http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=IPRS&Category_Code=IOPP

    However, there's no guarantee that you'll be able to adjust it and your camera to get the view you'd like. I had real trouble due to the configuration of my roll cage.

    Have fun and be safe!

    Bob S.
     
  8. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
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    #8 Mike C, May 28, 2007
  9. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 staatsof, May 29, 2007
    Hi Mike,

    I can believe it does get blessed. If you're basically driving a street car then there's not much else you can do except to put in a seat belt harness bar for upgraded belts and then mount it on that.

    Street cars are always a tremendous compromise as far as safety regs go.
    But what are you going to do. It's the street cars at a lot of these events that pay the freight so organizers have very little practical options. Most people aren't going to put a roll bar or cage in their street car. I've seen guys in M3s put in fancy "looking" belts on the factory mounting points which just aren't going to do anything more for them but they feel better I guess. These are instructors too! I used to do the same thing when I occasionally drove at the track. So I understand. Once you start to drive regularly on a track and realize that you're going at 8-9/10ths of what a racer does you look at how they protect themselves and start to feel like an idiot.

    In a violent crash on the track a stock passenger seat is pretty unimpressive.
    As are the stock belts. Stuff comes apart and flys around violently.
     

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