Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Onboard cameras on trackdays

[Harv748]

Whats the score with these then.

I have access to a small digi camera, and would love to get some shots on a trackday.

I know of two options

1: To fit the digi camera on the tank via a special bracket. How is this viewed by trackday organisers? At the last trackday I was at I saw this...so I'm guessing some allow it some don't?

2: The kind of set-up used by Guido etc...with the small pencil camera. How do these work? Are they attached to a digi camera that is stashed away somewhere safe or do they work by some other techie means?

Would be interested in how much it would cost to do something like this. Would be an added to bonus to any trackday i guess.

Anyone done it...have any suggestions?

[Harv748]

cheers vman

I have since the post been searching through the old message board and there is some good stuff on there. Should have done it first really...doh!

Anyone got any footage I can view from one of the RF concepts bullet cameras...they look just the job for a not so serious amatuer like myself.

[DJ Tera]

vman what software are you using?
I know Premiere and Final Cut pretty well, if you have any questions just ask- BTW the xvid or divx codec is better if you want to keep file size down and quality still high

[WeeJohnyB]

Buy the video of our DSC trackday last year at Mallory and you'll see some excellent footage and editing possibilities, as superbly done by Guido.

Alternatively, wait for this year's version from Cadwell next week - it will be a while before it's available mind you as it will take ages to collate and edit all the footage.

Or come along to Cadwell and see it for yourself - there's still room and there will be plently of people there with pencil cameras.

WeeJohnyB

[Harv748]

I'm already booked on WJB..or at least I hope I am...you got me worried now!

Will tank mounted cameras (with proper brackets/fixings) be allowed on the DSC day?

[TP]

I'm interested in that too. I've arranged to borrow a mate's one and it has a sucker tripod mounted thingy which he has used successfully in the past.

What is the go with these things? I am quite keen to have some footage with the tacho and speedo in the foreground (even if it only has a max of 5kRPM and 100mph )

Can we have some sort of direction on this. If they aren't allowed then it would give me some time to sort out an alternative mount or whatever ...

Cheers,

TP

[Guido]

I've heard that Brands Hatch used to prohibit camcorders on bikes or at least charge for their use. I think this was just a scam by Octagon to cash in on the burgeoning interest in onboard videos. Might be different now that Jonathan Palmer has taken control. Worth a check first if you're planning on going.

I have 3 bullet cams on my bike all controlled by a remote 'switcher' unit on the bars (see below) and linked into a Sony PC3 camcorder.



The beauty of the switcher means that you can literally' switch' from view to view as you ride along.

I used to have the tank tripod but:-

a) feared my £1500 camcorder would end up flying off over my head at 100mph+

b) Didn't like the restrictive viewing angles attained by this device

c) Dreaded coming off the bike on a trackday and mincing the camera as well as the bike

If you're camcorder is small enough (like the PC3 or a simillar model), you can get the camera itself under your seat (even on a space-absent 748/9**).

Forget bumbags or rucksacks - Trackday organisers don't allow them.

I have my camcorder in a small bumbag which is strapped to my top yoke. It obscures the lower clocks a little but this doesn't matter to me on the track. As long as the bars are uninhibited that’s all that counts to me.

Vibration and heat can be a problem for mini cams so be aware where you locate them on the bike. Use Blu-tac or foam to help cushion the unit.

I have some footage on my site taken with my cameras. I did buy the best camera RF Concepts had (£175). This took 3 months to arrive initially and has since stopped working (it was supposed to be waterproof, bombproof, whatever!!!!).

If you want to take the onboard video seriously, you’ll no doubt want more than just the lenses. I found it easier personally, to get my gear from Phillip Mace at Highview Electronics. Not only is he a Duke rider who has tested his products on his Duke, but he is also an electronics wiz and has his own firm specialising in them. If you need enhancements to your system or advice on attaching the lenses to third-party devices (such as switchers etc) then Phillip can advise on this and also make the components needed up for you. Not sure RF can offer such a ‘one-stop-shop’ type of service

Samples of my onboard stuff can be seen HERE – you will need the DIVX codec though to see the video files (i.e. without the codec you’ll only get sound but no picture). This can be downloaded via a link on the video pages of my site which you will arrive at with the aforementioned link.

Highview can be contacted via here http://www.highviewelectronics.co.uk/

Shout with any queries.

Guido

[JasonBoswell]

I can second all of Guidos comments above - dont bother with the tank mounted option, go for the RF Concepts or Highview bullet cams - *very* good quality. Like VMan, I just havent got round to figuring out how to get into PC formats yet!!!!

and dont go for the bum bag thingy either - i got black flagged at Cadwell last year doing this. Most new-ish palm-held vidcams fit under the seat in just fine (make sure plenty of padding).

Theres going to be plenty of us there with cams, so I'm sure if asked nicely/bribed) you can borrow one for a session and avoid all that outlay.

[Edited on 27-4-2004 by JasonBoswell]

[Ray]

Tracktime promotions won't allow tank mounted cameras. This came up at croft recently. Too many have ended up lying on the track after the mounts have let go.
They also said that they cause chest injury in the event of a crash. They said they woulkd look at other setups and make a decision on a case by case basis. No one at croft I saw tried any filming on bike.

It might not just be a case of clearing it with the organisers, the circuit themselves may have something to say on the matter.

Ray

[Guido]

As Ray says, some organisers will let you on track with 'surface-mounted' cameras once they have personally inspected your bike in pit-lane and checked how secure the attachment of the devices is.

As my camcorder and lens is out of sight they didn't even know it was there until I showed them - that was Tracktime at Croft. If you're straight with them, they should be straight back. If your gear looks like it could come off and injure yourself or a third party, they'll not allow you on track or in Jason's case get you off it pretty sharpish by the dreaded skull and crossbones!!!!

If you do have the sucker-mounted tripod device, then secure it by means different than the suction pads (i.e. velcro straps, mini-ratchet tie downs etc.....).

In my view tho, you're better off spending the extra £50-£70 and getting a bullet cam Vs the tripod. Saves any hassle on the day then if the trackday organisers want to be arsy.