A Lipstick or bullet camera at least 480 lines, usually
12Volt Make sure its wide angle if you want to see the cars beside you or
normal for no "fish eye" effect. I'll be getting in boxes that will
mix a rear camera with a front camera in a picture in picture thing - but not
highest priority.
Microphone
This picture comes from http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/speedprod19.htm
where you can get a lot of parts.
Microphone without sound its pretty boring coverage,
will need to be powered by the 12V battery. Due to no supressors on our cars,
the sound will not be authentic, but I am working on that.
Battery
You need a small rechargable 12 Volt. Don't use the car
battery, "most electrical faults in race cars are due to in car
cameras" - Peter Brock said that when his son was stopped on Mt Panorama
in a support race, and that was just before he was escorted from the Channel 7
commentary booth. I tried it, and the Odessey Battery burnt all the wiring and
stopped my car. So he was right I guess.
Camcorder
Mine is similar to this and the play and stop buttons above
the screen get bumped a lot, so I put blu-tack and race tape over them before
I go onto the track.
Your Camcorder need it to have AV input. Must must must!
Canon and Sony are good because of the remote you can get. Lower models don't
always have it. Some of them say you can convert TV/Video onto the DV tape -
thats the same thing.
Getting one with a remote control - especially a cord
type instead of an infra red, to start stop on the dummy grid would be good. I
start mine before I get into the car. With a 60 minute tape, its ok, but after
10 minutes getting ready, if there is a multi car accident on a QLD track and
there is only one tow truck (yes it happened) we ran out of tape.
FIGURES!!!!!! - I WON THAT RACE AFTER AN INCREDIBLE FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am dealing with my anger.
Leads
Leads should come with the camera to connect the camera
with the camcorder and the microphone
Camcorder mounting
At some point CAMS made a ruling something like all
cameras need to be in a 5 sided box and restrained. They meant to control the
Camcorders flying through cabins in Saloon cars after the owners zip tied the
camera to the rollcage! But I can't be specific as to what it said as I never
found out the rule.
I am using a padded camera bag with multiple zip ties
around the chassis. The leads come out where it the zipper is. A Bum bag might
work also. A solid box is best, but I just don't know what will work for you.
When the camera is bouncing around inside my bag, it can flick the switch off.
Happened the first 2 races I tried it. Went blank somewhere during the race.
So I use Blu-Tack in big lumps around the buttons and put race tape over
stuff. Try to pick a camcorder that won't have this problem. Imagine it
bouncing around...
Using the camera
If you wish to turn the camera on, on the dummy grid,
remember its tricky - take gloves off, power on to VCR mode - open up screen -
menu - VCR setup - input options - VCR input ON - exit - exit - exit - close
screen - retape everything - put into the bag carefully not knocking anything
or unplugging it. This is a time when I want to focus, get my heart rate down,
not worry about a camera. So if you can get a lead (like the one on the above
site) to switch recording on, then that is great.
This picture comes from http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/speedprod19.htm
where you can get a lot of parts. This works with some Canon and Sony Cameras
Bullet camera mounting
In NSW, I noticed most of the bullet cameras are
in a screw hose clamp with another screw hose clamp at 90 degrees going
through it. I use a moulded bracket (above), but its personal preference.
Remember wind resistance is key. So hose clamps work for least wind resistance
with one ring around the roll hoop, and one around the camera.
Letter
A letter to officials and scrutineers is another issue.
There is no set of rules you will encounter every time. To run a camera you
need to have a letter saying its for personal use and not being distributed,
or specify the TV company that will be given use of it as they have permission
to broadcast it. Promoters have the right to remove cameras if they want to be
difficult. The Scrutineers will say they need officials to approve it, and the
Officials will say they need it scrutineered to be safe. The answer is to ask
the scrutineers to sign your letter saying it is safe, then go to the
officials to get approval to run the camera. They will want a copy, and so
take 2 copies with you, they can sign both.
Good Luck
I hope that is the start of your In car camera. I have
to tell you it is so absolutely worth it. Nothing better than the pit crew,
other drivers, friends and family sharing the race afterwards, and for months,
you treasure the races with those moments when you made the right passing manoeuvre,
or the time you crash, or the time you win, its all so worth recording it all.
Scott
scott@scottandrew.com.au
