1) Will magnetic numbers work? (12"x12" square magnets with number on the square)

2) What type of tape should I use instead of magnets to put numbers on car? I was thinking of using expensive painters tape that comes off easy.

3) What type of tape should I use to tape up the headlights? I was thinking electrical tape.

4) What other lights need to be taped? Outside mirrors?

5) I was planning on leaving the pressure in my tires (Falken Azenis) stock, 36f, 32r to help me not spin on my first HPDE. Good idea or Bad? (FYI: I'm a decent autocrosser and use R tires)

6) What is a legal and safe way to put a safety strap on my video camera? It's already got a legal mount that attaches to the passenger headrest.

Thanks in advance folks! I'm starting to get stoked for next Monday at Limerock!

 

Yes. I tape the leading edges to make sure air doesnt get under them

that works too.

see 2), works fine

nope

not a bad idea, can never be too cautious on track. My falkens like a little more pressure though, I run 37-38. make sure you arent going too low in the back. a 2 psi difference should be good.

I am going to defer on this question. All I can say is that I know of several people who run cameras with no saftey strap at all.

 

The blue or purple painters tape is good... and it's not expensive. You can use it for numbers of headlights.

You might want something with a little more tack to hold the numbers in place... maybe not, I've never used them.

Those tire pressures should be ok. It really depends on what size Azenis you're talking about. Most of the people with 15's are running low to mid 30's. I've run higher and can attest that around 38 is where I started losing traction.

 

I thought they didnt want novices filming the sessions

painters tape is the best , also I use magnets but I like to tape the leading edge to keep it in place.

 

Regardless... it's a little hard to mount a camera to the passenger headrest if an instructor's sitting there...

 

correct you are.

 

Not required for HPDE. But doing the headlights is a good idea.

Remember, on track, your tire pressure will increase significantly, so you will need to experiment to get the pressure you desire. COLD pressure will probably be 3-5psi lower than HOT pressure.

A short (children's?) belt should work. Pass it between the headrest posts (or some other place where it can't come free) and through the handle on the camera.

 

The red painter's tape is more bling bling

 

my personal favorite is the chrome tape!! YO vtec and bling bling....yeah

 

Do the numbers have to be 12x12? If not, depending on your car, you may be able to fit numbers on the inside of the rear window. I have a GSR. For one upcoming event, I printed red numbers that add up to about 10.5"L x 6.25"H; I then cut and taped them close together, went and made color copies with a better paper and laminated them with some material from Office Depot that I had laying around.

I plan to tape the 3 digit numbers on the inside of my rear windows with painter's tape. Hope it stays. I saw an ITR with professionally made numbers that were pressed on the rear window (like laminating material). They were big enough to be visible from a distance. If your numbers are 2 digit, you can make them even bigger.

 

The rules say the numbers have to be at least 10" high.

The blue or red painter's tape is great. I've been using "racer's tape" or just plain duct tape... It leaves lots of gummy stuff but it pulls off quickly. If you care about your car's finish the painter's tape is probably the way to go. I'll get magnetic numbers before next season though.

 

Thanks for the answers.

My camera mount clamps onto the passenger headrest posts and extends sideways to position the camera right in the middle of the car. It's no problem to have a passenger. I have child seats up the wazoo, so I'll use one of those belts.

Since my magnetic numbers are #58 and I'm supposed to wear #158, I'll just use tape for the numbers.

What's this about no camera's in Novice cars?

 

I've never heard that and can't think of a reason not to allow cameras.

 

I've never heard of this either, even as an instructor.

In contrast, I'd HIGHLY recommend taping your sessions. In the unfortunate event of an off course, you can review the tape, and compare what you THINK caused the off to what the tape shows.

It will also allow you to review your lines for the next track event, and to possibly review your insructor comments.

What you SHOULDN'T do is to drive to show off for the tape. You'll just be asking for trouble.

joe

 

holden-i would check with nasa about the camera munt because i think i rember someone from nasa saying that we wouldn't be able to film. or at least the 1st sesion. so just double check.
-lo-buk racing aka spenc

 

Me either

HOWEVER... a couple of students have showed up with a home-made camera mount attached to MY headrest. I will not get in the car until it is removed. If they miss a session while they shuffle instructors or whatever that IS NOT MY PROBLEM. If you think I am being an ******* about this, imagine what would happen if a camera mounted this way had been in that M3 that was walled in T10 at Summit last weekend. Most likely the instructor would have gotten the camera in his FACE.

My personal rule is any camera that is in a car I'm riding in will be mounted using a SCCA approved mount.

Joel
NASA-VA


[Modified by JoelG, 7:41 AM 11/5/2002]

 

Good call.


- as for the camera, the only thing I've heard is that it could be considered timing your laps. It's obviously a far cry from a hotlap timer though.

 

Yep I agree... I did my first NASA HPDE in october. Tech gave the IO Port Racing camera mount a looksee and made sure it had the SCCA sanctioned safety strap in place. No problems from there.

 

I don't know what the official rule on this is, but this past weekend at Summit we were told not to let any car out on track that had it's numbers on the windows. We were informed that the numbers must be on the door in order to let you out on the track. As I said, don't know what the official rule is, but if you show up to Grid with numbers on your windows I'm going to have to send you back to the paddock to fix your numbers.

 

I was talking about a speedventures event out here in CA. But I guess that's good for others who are going to your upcoming event to know. If I do a West coast NASA event I'll check their rules closely.

 

Quote
- as for the camera, the only thing I've heard is that it could be considered timing your laps. It's obviously a far cry from a hotlap timer though.
_______

This is definitally a far cry
But a useful learning tool

 

What do you think of this mount?

 

Magnetic numbers are a hazard if they come off during the event. I don't like them for that reason.

Numbers must not be on windows or done with shoe polish.

These are NASA-VA rules.

Grumpy