Let’s say you have got an information system and might deal with the fundamentals: lap occasions, max speeds, lap comparisons. However have you ever thought exterior the field about what that gear may also reveal? Listed below are some artistic methods to make use of your information system.
Know the True Monitor Size
Certainly one of my favourite circuits, Lime Rock Park in northwest Connecticut, payments itself as a 1.53-mile bullring of a monitor. However while you drive the racing line and measure it with an information system, its size is nearer to 1.43 miles. One other fan favourite, Highway America, is listed as a 4.048-mile monitor, however the pushed line is available in at 3.99 miles.
These variations can have vital gas plan repercussions. Possibly you possibly can run a bit much less gas in qualifying to avoid wasting weight. And also you may be capable to stretch out time between pit stops and even take one fewer.
Predict the Future With Theoretical Finest Laps
Whereas no information system can reveal your best possible lap, it may well assist by monitoring your rolling greatest lap and offering a theoretical greatest lap. What are these? Think about a rolling greatest lap as a timed lap measured from each level on the monitor–so not restricted to a lap timed from the beginning line.
One of the best theoretical lap combines all of your greatest phase occasions into one quick lap. The way you break up the monitor into segments can affect this, nonetheless. For instance, if maximizing your time in a single phase hurts one other, your theoretical greatest lap isn’t going to be of as a lot worth. To maximise the theoretical greatest lap characteristic, chop up the monitor into three or 4 segments, with each beginning in the midst of a straight.
An excellent rule of thumb for utilizing these two measurements: In the event you’re driving actually persistently, it is best to be capable to get inside 0.25 second of your greatest rolling lap and 0.50 of your theoretical. Look ahead to efficiency plateaus, although.
Put Numbers to Emotions
How about diving deeper when evaluating new components? What does extra camber do to cornering efficiency? Nicely, now you may measure not simply the alignment settings however the lateral g-loads the automotive can pull. The identical goes for suspension settings, brake pads and steering response. Additionally, keep in mind which you can put numbers to the setting sweeps you run on variables like tire pressures, shock settings and anti-roll bar stiffnesses.
Consider Components With Actual Information
All information methods have accelerometers of some kind that measure the fundamentals: cornering, braking and acceleration. Add in pace, after which use that information to match gear.
Need to know which 200tw tire makes essentially the most grip? Examine the lateral acceleration information. Questioning if that new 3D-printed consumption housing really will increase energy, however can’t get to the dyno? Examine the longitudinal acceleration and the pace traces.
Within the June 2022 difficulty, for instance, we used pace traces to match two completely different Toyota MR2 brake setups. The size of deacceleration and the form of the slope–steeper signifies extra fast slowing–confirmed how properly the big-brake equipment outperformed the inventory setup.
Use Notes to Document the Total Image
Nearly all information methods will let you file notes along with your information, so take benefit. However you have already got a pocket book? Placing your session notes proper there with the info can prevent a whole lot of time later.
Did new tires make that a lot of a distinction? It’s within the notes. Had been you that gradual or was it raining? When the notes say “drizzling and overcast,” you’ll know the monitor situations had been accountable.
Additionally embody variables like alignment settings, monitor congestion and the way you had been feeling. And don’t neglect, tire pressures can at all times be simply tuned and recorded.
Decide Slope
Questioning how steep Flip 1 at COTA actually is–which may have an effect on your braking level? If in case you have a present information system that makes use of GPS, then you have got this measurement.
Whereas GPS isn’t essentially the most correct device for monitor place, it does present an ideal measure of elevation. With out stepping into the small print about these satellites flying 10,900 nautical miles above our heads, whereas the elevation numbers won’t be precise relative to sea stage, they’re correct relative to one another.
Meaning the climb up the entrance straight at COTA is 88 ft. We are able to additionally see that the slope measures 9.2 levels. For comparability, the usual for a mountainous freeway within the U.S. is 6 levels. That’s steep!
The information evaluation can inform you in regards to the monitor, too. How hilly is Lime Rock Park? The information reveals that The Uphill–also called Flip 5–measures 48 ft at a grade of almost 4 levels. The well-known Downhill nook checks in at 5.2 levels. Pictures Credit score: LAT Photographs (BMW at Lime Rock)
Rapidly Study New Tracks
How would you prefer to study new corners by finding out ones you already know? Wanting on the pushed radius may be a good way to match corners. Both have a look at your system’s included measurement or do some math: radius = abs (GPS_Speed * GPS_Speed / GPS_LatAcc) * 0.02. It will present your automotive’s true efficiency by means of a nook, not the radius of the center of the monitor.
Formulate Higher Questions
Information can do greater than present solutions; it may well show you how to formulate the questions. Begin with one thing common and work your means right down to the small print. “What tires are higher on my automotive?” turns into, “What tires create greater g-loads in lateral acceleration?” all the way in which to, “What tires carry out higher by means of Flip 3 on my automotive at the moment?”
Now you have got a query you may reply, and you may make a plan to check out each tire decisions on the identical day with considerably the identical monitor situations. The identical goes for working in your driving expertise: Does the automotive gradual quicker on the finish of the entrance straight in case you apply the brakes quicker? Are you able to differ the pace of your arms on the steering wheel to alter how the automotive turns in and follows the nook? So many questions, a lot information, so little time.
Measure (Nearly) Something
In case your information system permits for extra sensors, then you may measure almost something you need. A bit looking out can flip up instruments like pitot tubes from RC airplanes that may measure air pace all the way in which to infrared tire temp sensors made at house.
Individuals have used sensors pulled from copy machines to measure pedal place whereas retrofitting GM experience top sensors onto Miatas. No extra guessing how a lot a automotive rolls, squats or dives when on monitor. Measure it.
Hold Studying
Transcend the proprietor’s handbook–suppose boards, YouTube movies and webinars hosted by those that make and promote the info methods. After you have an concept of the system’s potential, you may dig in and see what works greatest for you. This allows you to transfer away from tribal information to precise information. You’ll be a greater driver, have extra expertise, and be capable to again it up.
Matt Romanowski owns TrailBrake, an information acquisition provider and useful resource.
