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Fix My Driving/Setup (w/video)

Fix My Driving/Setup (w/video)

Old 02-22-2012, 11:18 PM
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Default Fix My Driving/Setup (w/video)

I picked up a GoPro with a head strap a few months ago because I wanted to get some video of my driving that I could analyze later. Yes, I look like a fool with the camera strapped to my head, but it's worth it.

Anyway, I think the videos have been beneficial. I've been able to make adjustments to my lines based on what I've seen on video, and it's turned into faster laps.

So, I'll throw myself in front of the bus and get some feedback from the crowd. I got a video of my car tonight when I thought it was working pretty well, and I was driving okay. Based on what you see, how could I improve my driving or setup?

Here's what I see:

1. I'm obviously overshooting far too often. I've been running blinky 17.5 for the last 6 months and I think it's making me worse. Tonight was the first time with blinky 13.5, and I'm still getting used to the rip.

2. I hate that 180 in the middle, my car practically has to stop to get enough steering through there. I feel like I should be doing something different.

3. The first right hand turn after the 180, on the far left side, I think I'm going in too shallow, and not getting enough steering for the last two quick turns before the straight. The line out of that 180 makes it difficult to go out wide enough without upsetting the car.

Anyway, here's the video. It's available in HD, even. This GoPro is awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKUoMaqZkMQ

Be gentle. Or not, I can take it... I think.
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Old 02-22-2012, 11:30 PM
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Nice footage, subscribe'd Looks like you could do with a tiny bit more turn in, but that's just me.
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Old 02-23-2012, 01:30 AM
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Firstly, which model of GoPro is that, footage looks really good?

Secondly, your car looks pretty good to me.
How much steering lock are you using in the corners?

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Old 02-23-2012, 02:48 AM
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That, is a brilliant idea...

For other ideas on lines, why not see if any other local racers in your class are willing to let you strap your camera to their head. Go over the footage together and see who does what where and what seems the fastest.

Its hard to say without the feel of your car, but have you tried running a little wider through the double right handers before the hairpin? Might get you a little wider entry, shallower exit to help your flow?
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Old 02-23-2012, 06:56 AM
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Its hard to tell from a video but your car looks pretty good, driving is pretty good also.

To me it looks like the difference between a good lap (9.8) and most of your other laps is that your apex is late.
You have some nice tight lines but your still turning out of these turns. If your car pivots sooner or harder, or you change where you think the apex of the turn is..........lets say 4 inches sooner and 4 inches farther out from the boards you will still be tight on the boards as you're leaving the turn and you will be pointing at the next turn a little sooner......on the gas sooner........and maybe better lap times.

I don't know if that made any sense.
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Old 02-23-2012, 07:13 AM
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You are taking too direct of a line at that turn in the middle. When you come out of that 90 before the 180 you hate. You should stay closer to the board on the right side of that lane. It will set you up for the 180 and the 90 on the left side of the track better. Driving straight at the 180 and cranking the wheel not only scrubs corner speed but puts your exit of the turn into the middle of the next lane when you should actually be closer to the inside to setup for the next turn.

Its kinda complicated explaining driving in text.

I think thats kinda what josh is talking about, your apex doesnt have to be in the exact middle of every corner it should be the best place where you can carry the most amount of corner speed and also be setup the best for the next turn.
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Old 02-23-2012, 08:21 AM
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The camera is a GoPro Hero HD 2. This is the one you want, because you can adjust its field of view between 3 different settings. The GoPro cameras have a VERY wide angle fisheye lens on them, and the older versions wouldn't let you change the FoV, so RC videos always looked far away. The newer version does sort of a digital zoom effect, and crops the video so it looks like you're zoomed in, and makes things seem closer. It also eliminates some of the barrel distortion from the fisheye. I'm using the medium FoV setting on my camera (1080p 30FPS). The narrowest FoV setting shows what the car is doing in more detail, but it's hard to position the camera so that you keep the car in the frame the whole time. The GoPro doesn't have a viewfinder, and even if it did, you wouldn't be able to see it once it's mounted on your head. So the medium FoV gives you a pretty good chance of keeping the car in the frame.

Josh and Larry. I think I follow what you're saying. It really is hard to define what a car is doing with words, like you said. Even when I talk to people about it, the best I can usually come up with is "it's pushing." Thanks for taking the time to watch and give me some suggestions, it's very helpful and greatly appreciated.
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Old 02-23-2012, 08:30 AM
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I'd go a little thicker in the rear diff oil and maybe raise the rear roll center slightly. Driving looks good to me.
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Old 02-23-2012, 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Rick Hohwart
I'd go a little thicker in the rear diff oil and maybe raise the rear roll center slightly. Driving looks good to me.
Thank you, I appreciate that. Does it look like the car needs to roll more in the rear?

I have a hard time watching a car and translate how it looks on the track to what needs to change in setup.
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Old 02-23-2012, 08:48 AM
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It is hard to tell watching but it looks like mid to exit it could use more rotation. I think the higher roll center will help the car mid corner and the diff on power to square up better. But without feeling how it works it is hard to tell.
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Old 02-23-2012, 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by syndr0me
Thank you, I appreciate that. Does it look like the car needs to roll more in the rear?

I have a hard time watching a car and translate how it looks on the track to what needs to change in setup.
Since I run at the same track and on the same layout I can provide some unwanted feedback...

First off the car and driving look very good...

I think like Larry says you are too direct into the 180...I find myself about 1 foot from the right of that 180 and letting the car square up long before I actually get to the apex...then it is more like driving straight across the with the 180 on the left side of the car. Also on the left side of the track...you are driving way too hard into the last corner before coming onto the straight away. You would be surprised how much faster it is to drive half the speed you are going and not overshooting it consistently.

Also I noticed you are being a bit aggressive with some of your inputs...you really don't need to whip it around like you are doing on some of the laps. Just let the car work and don't fight it so much. You are losing valuable time with these aggressive inputs and getting the car out of shape. Every time you cause the car to slip you are losing time...keep the car moving forward all of the time.

Other then that it looks just fine!
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Old 02-23-2012, 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Rick Hohwart
I'd go a little thicker in the rear diff oil and maybe raise the rear roll center slightly. Driving looks good to me.
+1
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Old 02-23-2012, 09:36 AM
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well........ it looks to me like you are watching waaaaaaay too much tranny porn. your wood keeps geting caught in the steering wheel and causes you to over shoot.

second, you should loose a little weight. your gut is hitting the rail on the drivers stand, pushing you further back on the stand and making it harder for you to see the corners.

finally, your body is the total wrong color. a black or dark gray body will look way faster on the track than a white even if its not. sure, it will be harder to see, but that will just make you focus more and make you a better driver.

hope this helps. love ya buddy!
see you tonight.
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Old 02-23-2012, 09:40 AM
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OMG dude what are you doing out there? You call that good driving??

Totally kidding

Looks really good to me!! I'd do just like Larry said, setup the turns a little different and then the next turn might be easier. Also if you dont run any expo in the radio maybe try that and it will make it easier to round the left side after the middle 180 and get through that left side easier.
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Old 02-23-2012, 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by syndr0me
The camera is a GoPro Hero HD 2. This is the one you want, because you can adjust its field of view between 3 different settings. The GoPro cameras have a VERY wide angle fisheye lens on them, and the older versions wouldn't let you change the FoV, so RC videos always looked far away. The newer version does sort of a digital zoom effect, and crops the video so it looks like you're zoomed in, and makes things seem closer. It also eliminates some of the barrel distortion from the fisheye. I'm using the medium FoV setting on my camera (1080p 30FPS). The narrowest FoV setting shows what the car is doing in more detail, but it's hard to position the camera so that you keep the car in the frame the whole time. The GoPro doesn't have a viewfinder, and even if it did, you wouldn't be able to see it once it's mounted on your head. So the medium FoV gives you a pretty good chance of keeping the car in the frame.

Josh and Larry. I think I follow what you're saying. It really is hard to define what a car is doing with words, like you said. Even when I talk to people about it, the best I can usually come up with is "it's pushing." Thanks for taking the time to watch and give me some suggestions, it's very helpful and greatly appreciated.
I think that you have started another new trend here. I just got a gopro hero2, now I want to go shoot some footage and post it

I see this thread filling up with a lot of video and a lot of good feedback.
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