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Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS
Posted by 'SimonS' on 04 Jan 2011 @ 19:13


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SimonS
Joined: December 2004
Total Posts: 4
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Data capture is useful, but like everything else it must be used correctly and as part of a proper practice plan.

(And if you don't go out with a practice plan, then you are just wasting most ofyour time anyway).

As various people have pointed out, using all the data may take as long as teh practice itself. Don't go out thinking that just because you have teh kit on the kart, it is going to make you go faster.

First, you need to be able to do constant close consecutive laps. That means driving the same course over each lap to the same time every time. You can use the data capture to help you pinpoint where or how the driver is npt bein constant. It doesn't matter if the time isn't 'flat out' or if the time isn't the fastest way round the track.

Then you need to analyse technique and set up. Driving the same laps, can the driver alter the time by altering his driving style, braking differently or using the throttle around a corner. Particularly for a new driver, the idea that you need to brake early enough to have one's foot on the throttle all the way round a corner may sound 'wrog' ( A kart is twice as stable under acceleration as under braking and just coasting with the steering turned is braking, so a kart that feels 'on the edge' when braking late feels fully controllable if accelerated round the corner)

Investigating setup involves finding out enough about being in the powerband for the maximum legth of time, rather than being at maximum revs for a fraction of a second at the end of the straight. It may be better to give up a tenth of a second on the straight to gain three tenths in the corners.

Tyre T and Ps are critical. If you are in the zone a difference of 0.02 bar can make the difference between good grip and poor grip. So you are going to need to match Ts &Ps to performance.

Driving different lines. Drive a different line consistently and monitor the data. The corner may be slower, but if you end up on the straight doing 1 mph faster than the line that goes in faster but comes out slower, then you will be better off in the long run, you save the time in the acceleration down the straight. Remember that teh effect of one particular corner isn't fully obvious until two corners later. (ie, you are leaving one corner in the right position for a good entry into the next corner, which will dictate your performance on the third corner)

You can see that just going out to 'see if you can drive faster' isn't going to work. Nor will it work if you go out to do every practice without looking to see whether you got the last one right (so data logger may prevent you from doing all the practice you can)

And lastly, there's a great deal of fun to be had just 'driving' bum in seat time pushing the kart beyond the sensible limit to learn what happens when you do, just having fun. Too many drivers are so absorbed by winning that they forget to have fun. If the driver is weeping in parc ferme, then you are doing it wrong.

Message Thread:

Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'Moonshine'   (03 Jan 2011 @ 18:24)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'cadetdadnw'   (03 Jan 2011 @ 18:49)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'karter212000'   (03 Jan 2011 @ 19:06)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'Ditch'   (04 Jan 2011 @ 5:44)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'peteinspain'   (04 Jan 2011 @ 16:05)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'raceinstructor'   (04 Jan 2011 @ 16:20)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'John'   (04 Jan 2011 @ 17:24)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'peteinspain'   (04 Jan 2011 @ 18:28)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'peteinspain'   (04 Jan 2011 @ 18:26)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'goforgold'   (04 Jan 2011 @ 18:30)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'peteinspain'   (04 Jan 2011 @ 19:06)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'SimonS'  << You are here!
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'goforgold'   (04 Jan 2011 @ 21:46)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'Moonshine'   (04 Jan 2011 @ 23:40)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'KevinW'   (04 Jan 2011 @ 23:52)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'BanzaiBoy'   (05 Jan 2011 @ 0:11)
Re: Do I need to invest in full data logging/GPS  by 'Ditch'   (05 Jan 2011 @ 8:37)

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