Cameras

[JustinDawkins]

Does anyone know the rules regarding cameras, I know that the scrutineer checks them so they are safe, and you have to get permission to use the from Octagon etc.

How do you about this and do you have to pay for the privilage?

Does anyone out there frequently use an on board camera?

[Tim Falce]

Make sure it is attached properly but don't fit it untill after scrutineering. With Octagon you only have to pay if you are using the footage for commercial purposes.

We use in car vid on a regular basis and not had any problems.
It may be advisable to phone the circuit or club concerned before hand to check it out. The worst you will have to do is sign a dissclaimer stating the video isnt for commercial use

[JustinDawkins]

Do you use you own bracket or have you bought one?

Don't Demon Tweeks do a special camera bracket?

[brickkicker]

Make sure it is attached properly but don't fit it untill after scrutineering.

Make sure you fit it BEFORE scrutineering as they want to see it.

[Sheila M]

You know at the beginning of the season when you got your licence?? There was a book keeping it flat - it's called the Blue Book and its got all the information about racing you'll ever need in it!!

Seriously, you must have the camera scrutineered with the car and it must have either its own scrut label or the scut label must state that the camera (and its mountings) have passed scrutineering.

[JustinDawkins]

What does this book look like, wot colour is it?

JOKE

I did think to look in it, but its at home, and I wanted the information now!

Seriously though, they must chect the mountings are up to scratch, so presumably it is better to buy than make to ensure that they will be upto scratch?

[brickkicker]

If you buy one it will normaly be a screw thread that goes into the camera and normaly a strap that goes over the top of the camera. It is also a good idea to put some cable ties around the camera body and the mounting plate.

[danieljboys]

Anybody know where you can get on-board cameras and accessories at a sensible price?

[Tim Falce]

Try here for camera mounts. We use a small digital video camera and get good results. If you are buying a new camera then get something that will take a bullet cam, then you can mount the camera anywhere and put the bullet cam where ever is convenient.

[Chris Y]

A good place for video camera mounts is B. Hague - at http://www.b-hague.co.uk/camera%20su...%20systems.htm - some sort of 'superclamp' is what you're after.

They do cameras for Ch4's Driven, so you're assured of their pedigree - and they're cheaper than DemonTweeks's offerings.

Yes, you need to fir it before scrutineering, and one thing that the scrutes look out for is a 'secondary securing strap. Generally the camera is held down by a screw thread, or sometimes cable ties, but it's a good idea to get a small cargo ratchet strap from somewhere like Hellfords, and just wrap it around. Scrutineers like to see this, just in case the primary securing method fails in an accident. I've nearly been pulled off the grid of a race at Mallory, after forgetting my strap!

If you like, you can just temporarily fit it before scrutineering, and then re-fit it later, if you need to mess about with tapes/batteries, etc.

On to permissions - if you run at one of the Octagon (sorry, Brands Hatch Circuits) circuits, you'll need a permissions form. Just call them, and ask for Robert Allan (might have changed by now though!), he'll send you the forms which you need to complete, and it's free as long as it's for personal use.

Other circuits vary. Mallory doesn't really care as long as it's fitted for scrute. Rockingham - you email someone (Jeff Carter) in their media dept, and they send you an email back which you print off. Just ring Castle Combe, and they make a note of you, and give you a little sticker on the day, which falls off on the way to the scrute bay and can't be found

Best if you call the circuit a couple of days before the meeting and ask them, they'll usually do all they can to accomodate you with little fuss.

Sorry for the essay, as you can tell, I run a camera for most rounds. I need to, to work out what the hell happened around me during the race!

Edit: Just seen Falcemob's posting - Snap!

[JustinDawkins]

Thanks Chris and Falcemob, Superclamp with ball lever will be good enough for me, what kind do you guys use?

[Chris Y]

Sadly I bought one before knowing any better, so I have one from Demon Tweeks that cost me over £90

[DALY]

another option is Nick Barnett of Race -tv. He will make the video for you, get the permissions etc etc. his quality is excellent, I have used him three times this year, great way of analysing lines etc. (and recording contact events)

Key things pointed out to me with single seaters were;
Bracket must be secured twice.
Bracket must not obstruct rescue crew in the event of an extraction from the car
Camera must be secured and have vibration padding of come sort, (particularly on FF1600)
Must be presented at scrutineering with camera fitted and also paperwork in place.
Scrutineer with pass paperwork and fitting etc in one go.

good luck.

[Flat Out & brok]

try www.rfconcepts.com or co.uk.

Very good and next day service.

[JustinDawkins]

Originally posted by DALY
another option is Nick Barnett of Race -tv. He will make the video for you, get the permissions etc etc. his quality is excellent, I have used him three times this year, great way of analysing lines etc. (and recording contact events)

Key things pointed out to me with single seaters were;
Bracket must be secured twice.
Bracket must not obstruct rescue crew in the event of an extraction from the car
Camera must be secured and have vibration padding of come sort, (particularly on FF1600)
Must be presented at scrutineering with camera fitted and also paperwork in place.
Scrutineer with pass paperwork and fitting etc in one go.

good luck.

Peter, at Mallory I am going to put it in a rear facing position, so I can see your lines!

[JimW]

Originally posted by DALY
. . .Bracket must not obstruct rescue crew in the event of an extraction from the car

The rescue crew are not going to be obstructed by your roll cage, roof, doors or anything else if we really do need to get at you. So I personally am not too fussed by this.

On the other hand I am concerned by the independent electric supply not being isolated by the master switch. External power supply arrangements routed through the master switch would be good (but I recognise the difficulty of doing this).

Also I don't think some drivers have asked themselves, "If I hit the wall at 80mph and am fine, do I really want to be smacked in the ear by this camera?". The optimist who thinks that a tie-wrap is sufficient needs a practical engineering course.

I would like to see the blue book and circuit scrutineering requirements made clearer so that we know what is acceptable from the point of view of permissions and the different things for safety.

On a lighter note, a team once showed me some footage taken while we were extricating their driver (who made a swift recovery). Always embarrassing to see/hear what you say in private!

Regards

Jim

[loadsaaaTOP]

what about buying a small mini camera that can be connected to the camcorder which is secured inside the car. (talking about single seaters here) Anyone know where to look for such items?

[Chris Y]

Originally posted by loadsaaaTOP
what about buying a small mini camera that can be connected to the camcorder which is secured inside the car. (talking about single seaters here) Anyone know where to look for such items?

Try here: http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/helmet_cameras.htm - look for the bullet cameras, they attach to a standard camcorder with an AV in feed.

[spearce]

Justin, Stephen Hare (blue RF81) in CFF1600 has been running a camera most of the year - suggest you speak to him at the FFestival. Anything that records to tape probably won't work due to vibes.

[JustinDawkins]

Spearce - Mines digital, so should be OK. Just filling out the permision sheet for festival now, got mounting bracket sorted now, even an engine to make the car go!

[steve_arion]

These Pulnix cameras are normally very good

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...&category=3319