Speed News vol. 1 Issue 4-May : Page 43
>> A basic data acquisition system can be less that $1000. It’s only going to give you basic information, but that’s all you need to go faster. << Using the data can help you be more consistent, and therefore faster over the course of the race. “Of course, your budget has been set and your season planned, right? So this is extra – found money you can spend on improv-ing something. This your go-faster fund.” (except to the degree that it keeps you racing at all). But without it there is no racing. Because it’s required, you probably have all the basics, or you wouldn’t get on track. So go buy yourself a seat that offers full head containment. The seat is a critical part of your safety gear, and the better seat, the more you are protected. Where you should spend money to make your car quicker, yourself faster or safer depends on many factors –rules, what you’ve done and your goals. Choose wisely and you’ll get the most bang for your buck. SN 43 acquisition can show you where you’re at the limit, where you’re dogging it and where you’re doing it right. And when you turn a faster lap, you’ll know exactly why it’s faster. Today’s GPS-based data acquisition systems have made this information much more accessible. You can pick up the basic Traqmate package that allows you to see G forces, speed, time and compare laps for $699. A little more money, a hair under our theoretical $1000 limit, gets you the Classic Complete system with in-car predictive lap timer and all the other goodies. If data geekery isn’t your thing, there’s always video. Buy three GoPro cameras, put one on the outside of your car, one on your feet and one on your hands. You’ll be able to see what you’re doing at every point on the track. You might be surprised at what you see. Safety The last thing we mention here is probably the fi rst thing you should think of when you have some extra money to spend. No, buying new or upgrading existing safety gear isn’t going to make you faster
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