Performance data capture and analysis
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:37 am
I thought we should have a topic to share what driving performance improvement tools we have, what we collect, how we analyze it and what it has changed. So this is it. Share away!
Mine have been pretty rudimentary.
The simplest was the stones on the red Nissan Don brought to Ascutney and Philo for some of us to use. The tool there for me was the tire squealing. If they werent I wasnt driving fast enough.
Next is my in-car video. Initially it was put in just to capture me driving (see honey I really did go racing last weekend). Then I added 3 little LEDs on a panel so I could tell how I was working the pedals - very useful. I was immediately faced with the reality that I lifted in places where I didnt really need to and that I lifted and started braking way too early for turns (despite a small voice in my head screaming otherwise). For instance the little jog going into the condos (turn 5) at Okemo used to cause me to subconsciously lift when it wasnt really necessary with my car. I saw that on an early video and corrected it by forcing my right foot to stay planted on the throttle until braking into turn 7 (if I give the gerbils under the hood a moments rest they get lazy). Another thing I learned from the videos in the same sequence - I was lifting and coasting, then braking way too early on the turn 7 approach.
Mine have been pretty rudimentary.
The simplest was the stones on the red Nissan Don brought to Ascutney and Philo for some of us to use. The tool there for me was the tire squealing. If they werent I wasnt driving fast enough.
Next is my in-car video. Initially it was put in just to capture me driving (see honey I really did go racing last weekend). Then I added 3 little LEDs on a panel so I could tell how I was working the pedals - very useful. I was immediately faced with the reality that I lifted in places where I didnt really need to and that I lifted and started braking way too early for turns (despite a small voice in my head screaming otherwise). For instance the little jog going into the condos (turn 5) at Okemo used to cause me to subconsciously lift when it wasnt really necessary with my car. I saw that on an early video and corrected it by forcing my right foot to stay planted on the throttle until braking into turn 7 (if I give the gerbils under the hood a moments rest they get lazy). Another thing I learned from the videos in the same sequence - I was lifting and coasting, then braking way too early on the turn 7 approach.