Data Acquisition Systems

GPS based isnt accurate enough for pro use, STACK software is a bit weak but rev counter based display is more "period". Most European race teams use Pi or Motec. I have used all the above except Motec but a friend of mine swears by it and as he won his class at LeMans this year I would tend to accept his judgement.

I am surprised your race series allows you to stick telemetry onto a '64 Elan though - funny that its in "vintage" racing, I believe 60's would be "classic" over here, then "historic" if post war and "vintage" is 1930's - mind you my girlfriends parents house was built before North America was discovered so makes sense I guess

 

I can be of some help here. I worked for MoTeC USA for over 10 years and I was lead on taking the MoTeC ADL to the US market when it was released in 1998. It is a very good system. However, it offers many features that you may not need. The cost of the MoTeC anyway you look at it will exceed US $7000.00 for even the most basic hardware and options. When I left MoTeC, I started my own company and cater to efforts of the semi-pro and down towards the club level. AIM has a very good product and I have sold and maintained hundreds of their MXL systems. At US $1799.00, you get CAN and RS-232 link, 8 definable channels for use for damper displacement, steering angle, brake pressure, throttle, etc. as well as beacon, speed, and RPM as designated channels. Another choice would be the AIM XG Log. The cost of this device is US $999.00 and has a smaller display that is intended to mount on your steering wheel so that you could retain your vintage gauges on the dash. It offer all the features of the MXL but is limited to 5 input channels so 4 damper displacement sensors would not be available if adding throttle, engine temps and engine pressures. The analysis software is the same so during debrief and analysis, the different units would be transparent. Please visit our website at http://www.aimsports.com/auto/index.html and feel free to ask me any questions regarding your project. I have been working in professional motorsports for over 15 years now and can guide you correctly on the proper selection of hardware to suit your needs and budget.
Joe Hullett
Digital Competition Systems
[email protected]
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Philip, looking forward to seeing you at Mid-Ohio for the SVRA DOP next weekend. I'm teaching the course and offering personal coaching as part of the Thursday program. If you'll PM me your e-mail, I'll send you some advance study materials <grin>.

Two recommendations, both profiled in SCCA Sportscar magazine a couple months ago. Traqmate and the Race Technology DL1. The RacePak is very good, too. A friend of mine, Scott Krueger, can demo his unit for you at the event. The principal of Traqmate will likely be at Mid-Ohio racing a Lotus XI.

After working with DOS-based Stack and Pi systems all the way through to i2 Pro, I think you will find that the less time you spend arranging and coordinating the data, the easier it is to quantify things like theoretical ideal lap times, highest terminal velocity, lowest cornering speed, etc. Steering angle (interpolated), braking effort and changes between on-throttle, off-throttle (coasting), even car position (line) and braking rate can all be quantified with these basic GPS-based systems with enough accuracy to be plenty useful.

I used to think the best tool was another driver in the car, then overlaying the traces for comparison, but now these basic systems have good enough software to provide plenty of individual "coaching" from lap to lap, session to session and, most importantly, from the beginning of the weekend to the end of the weekend.

The best tool is still a professional coach and in-car video, but the less expensive DAQ systems are terrific and there is no shortage of choices.

See you at Mid-Ohio.

-Peter Krause

 

Hi Peter,
I'm making my move to Charlotte next week after I return for IMSA Road America. I am driving the BMWs over and should have the 348 in tow...

You have great advise for Phillip. GPS systems are gaining popularity but at less than 5 Hz, you miss some very good data. If they are operating at 1 Hz, at 100 mph, you are traveling 146 ft/sec. This leaves for some missing data in braking and acceleration in both time and distance. AIM is working on their own GPS systems but is still a few months away. Our system is operating at 9 Hz and has the ability to zoom in and overlay driver lines through the corners. I think that all of the current systems out there can aid in a drivers performance, I just like a display to alert the driver of shift points and alarms as well as the analysis tools.

Here's link to a good in-car video I did for a Porsche GT3 Cup car in Road America..
http://www.aimsports.com/video/policastro2.mov
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Joe, we'll have to get together when you get to our fair state!

I remember when Joe Sr. and Joe, Jr. where in my course about ten years ago in 2-liter 911's that Phil Bagley built for them. Joe, Jr. has turned into a very fine driver! That's great video and a superb overlay of the most important information.

The traces from Monza are really cool. Must be a very quick car, FIA Prototype (LMES) or something capable of traversing most of the front and back stretch at over 181 and closer to 192 mph! On the first trace, one of the laps the driver straight-lined the first chicane and made a hash out of the second Lesmo (might have been passing someone) and it looks like somebody took the Parabola early on one of those laps in the second overlay! Great stuff!

See you soon and good luck at Elkhart Lake.

-Peter

 

Unfortunately, that would be kmH...

 

I tried to view the link with both IE and Firefox, and the video plays, but it is skewed about 30 degrees and the data is unreadable. Anyone else with that problem?

 

I have used Pi, Stack, Motec and a couple of the GPS systems - for a lot of club racers, the GPS systems would be great, around the $1,000 mark.

One feature I love and wouldn't be without is the predictive lap timer - extremely helpful in qualifying, and can even be used to play with segments on the fly.

 

It's in Apple Quick Time format. Try that...

 

Phillip,
Please get in touch with Dave Redzsus in your area. He should be able to provide the hardware and coaching you require. He would be a "1 stop" provider of systems, analysis and coaching.

Precision Auto Research
Bensenville, IL USA
(630) 766-4402
[email protected]
PrecisionAutoResearch.com

Good luck!

 

Another alternative, the Race Technolgy DL1 or DL2. Uses GPS and two axis accelerometers, 8 analogue inputs and OBDII/ECU input. All for around $1000USD. The unit is simple and intuitive enough to not need specialist knowledge to setup or operate. http://www.race-technology.com/WebPage2/Products/Products_en.html
Review in Race Car Engineering.
http://www.race-technology.com/WebPage2/Other/Articles/RaceCar-Eng.gif

 

"Another alternative, the Race Technolgy DL1 or DL2."

Just wanted to second this one - I've used the DL1, inexpensive and quite effective IMO.