Track Day Apps & Accessories

AndyCr15

AndyCr15

AndyCr15

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I've done a fair few track days on bikes, but will be doing my first in a car in about 6 weeks.

First question, what is the best app at the moment for tracking lap times? I assume it's like bikes, you're not supposed to, but everyone does? Ideally I'd like to be able to export the data to sync it with GoPro footage using Dashware.

I'm on Android, but with two friends on iPhones, so cross platform would be handy.

Are there any other accessories I need to think about?

Thanks.
 
Torque pro with the racing plugin (need an obd Bluetooth adapter though)
Will monitor all your telemetry for you too
 
I personally use Racechrono and it works great. I link it to my Qstarz 10hz Bluetooth GPS reciever for better accuracy and it also links to my GoPro so it starts/stops recording automatically. Only issue is that it's Android only.
I've also got Track Addict which can do all of the above, but I've not tried it yet. That's available for both android and ios.
 
I think it was Racechrono I used on my bike. How do you link it to your GoPro?

I've also wondered about buying a stand alone GPS. I've seen a Qstarz for £60 I think?
 
dale1uk said:
I personally use Racechrono and it works great. I link it to my Qstarz 10hz Bluetooth GPS reciever for better accuracy and it also links to my GoPro so it starts/stops recording automatically. Only issue is that it's Android only.
Click to expand...

I've got exactly the same setup and it's fantastic but I wish they'd bring back the "performance test" section that was in their symbian software (0-60, 1/4 mile etc).

I uses this Qstarz - http://www.qstarz.com/Products/GPS Products/BT-Q818XT-F.htm
 
What about Racelogic (VBOX) which I believe can also been twinned with there hardware at the same time.
 
AndyCr15 said:
I think it was Racechrono I used on my bike. How do you link it to your GoPro?

I've also wondered about buying a stand alone GPS. I've seen a Qstarz for £60 I think?
Click to expand...

You just select your Gopro in the settings menu under devices, it pairs using WiFi

10hz Qstarz can be had for £55 delivered from the forest.
 
Yeah, I'm thinking of getting the one that logs info, so I can have it with me on a rideout and download the route afterwards. I think that one is just over £80.

That's in Racechrono settings? I'll have to install again and have a play. Thanks.
 
You can get a Racelogic VBOX Sport which is cheaper, standalone logger that you can pair with some android/iphone apps, and also use the Racelogic software with. It's more money then some other options, but a very good package overall.

http://www.vboxmotorsport.co.uk/index.php/en/products/performance-meters/vbox-sport

http://www.vboxmotorsport.co.uk/index.php/en/products/software/circuit-tools

Edit: Forgot about the Performance/Drift Box. Could maybe get one 2nd hand quite cheap, and can also use the circuit tools software with that.
http://www.vboxmotorsport.co.uk/index.php/en/products/performance-meters/performancebox
 
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The VBox Sport is still £300 which is silly money when you can get the same functionality in a £60 GPS dongle paired to your phone.

I used a fair bit of Racelogic stuff whilst on a few rally teams and it's good stuff, works well but is hugely over-priced. The VBox Sport alone is about £200 more than it's specs justify, mainly because it's made by "Racelogic" which is a license to print money in the motorsport world.

Same with the performance box, great bit of kit but costing £300+, not a chance! Oh and don't get me started on the rip-off Drift Box :eek:
 
Unless your using track days to shake down a race car, I've got to question what's the point? I can see some of the more strict track day organisers swiftly booting you out as soon as you start mounting boxes and phones to your dash too.
 
For fun Skeeter :D

Adding the track overlay with g-readings, lap times, speed and rev's to a plain GoPro track vid can make it more interesting to some viewers, even if the actual video is pretty dire (track-day learners etc).

Plus, I've never had a trackday issue with a phone in my pocket and a matchbox sized GPS box velcro'd to my dash. Even the last amateur team I did some work for (Moray Phoenix team) had no issues during scrutineering with the phone locked away and the matchbox sized GPS bolted to the roof.
 
Skeeter said:
I can see some of the more strict track day organisers swiftly booting you out as soon as you start mounting boxes and phones to your dash too.
Click to expand...

My phone is always mounted on my dash... why would I not have it mounted there?! The GPS could likely go in the back window, which is too dark to be seen through.

As has been said, it's just for a bit of fun, to know if you're getting quicker through the day and to make the video a little more interesting.
 
I tried once to use the Torque app, bit found I was spending far to much time sat in my car in the pits fiddling with it and far to little out on track having fun. I have since just kept with helmet mounted GoPro footage which I just cut out anything interesting (i.e. me being a twonk), but now that's been banned too I have no interest in the dull static mounted camera footage of endless lap after lap, even with a stats overlay. I've actually just sold my GoPro, I can't even remember if I've downloaded the footage from my last track day.
 
Harry's Lap Timer is very good. Can have multiple cameras recording. If you use your phone to record video it can automatically cut the video up into lap by lap. You can pair it with a GPS receiver to improve accuracy as well :)

As for setup, you pick what track you're at then press record when you leave the pit garage and stop when you return. Very easy to use!

I use either my iPhone or GoPro to record every lap so I can compare overall lap times, corner/straight speed, what lines I'm driving and where to improve. Can help a fair bit to show you where you can improve but probably only useful if you're a track day regular :)
 
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