Right-hand drive, huh?
Photography Courtesy Racelogic
These days, we’re pretty much the only media outlet bringing data acquisition to our testing protocols. Honestly, there are plenty of ways to subjectively evaluate a car, but since data rarely lies, whenever we can use it to provide additional context to our evaluation, we jump at the chance.
We’re currently in the process of bringing even more info to the table for our track tests by partnering with Racelogic. We're transitioning our data acquisition to its VBOX products and Circuit Tools analysis software.
As part of this process, we requested a little hands-on training time. Our crew at the test track is pretty bare bones–it’s usually just me and Chris Tropea, our videographer–so efficiency is paramount. We got to the point where we felt that some time with the VBox crew would help.
Turns out the timing was fortuitous. They were actually planning an intensive workshop covering some of the exact products we were using, and we managed to get a spot on the invite list.
On Sunday, October 1st, I’ll be heading to the airport for an overnight journey from Daytona to Atlanta, then to Madrid, then finally to Gran Canaria, the largest of the Canary Islands. And there, somewhat surprisingly, is a race track.
Circuito Maspalomas was originally constructed for the Race of Champions, which ran there for several years, from the early ’90s into the early oughts. After the ROC moved on, the circuit remained as a club track, training facility and all-purpose motorsports venue.
Today it runs cars and motorcycles as well as a supercar driving experience and a couple rental-based series. We’ll be doing a couple days in its MX-5 Challenge cars, each wired with various VBox electronics, along with some off-track training and review of the equipment.
The other attendees appear to be mostly E.U.-based YouTubers who I’m not familiar with, and honestly, I’m excited to see some new faces at one of these press events and to meet some people from different corners of the motorsports world.
Their content indicates that we have rally drivers, circuit racers and sim specialists on the invite list, and I’m stoked to meet them and learn about the new hardware we’ll be using to bring you guys even more cool info in our tests.
It also looks like it’s going to be fun, and I can say entirely without guilt that I’m looking forward to a work thing that’s also not all heavy lifting.
I’ll try to keep this thread updated with what we’re doing and what we’re learning. If anyone has any questions about VBox and Racelogic stuff, I’ll have access to engineers and techs, so fire away.
I’d also love to hear if anyone has been to Gran Canaria before. I’ve had a lot of personal stuff going on lately, so I’ve done zero research into the island, and because of the goofy flight schedules, I'll actually end up with a couple days of downtime. If you have any suggestions, I’m all ears.
Right-hand drive, huh?
David S. Wallens said:Right-hand drive, huh?
Editorial Director, Grassroots Motorsports & Classic Motorsports
I'm gonna drive one right into the Atlantic.
Do they make Snell-rated snorkels?
David S. Wallens said:Do they make Snell-rated snorkels?
You mean Shell-rated snorkels?
Hoppps said:David S. Wallens said:Do they make Snell-rated snorkels?
You mean Shell-rated snorkels?
Actual footage of JG but pretend it’s just him sitting on the wrong side of a Miata.
Y'all joke but in 53 years I've literally only ever driven one right hand drive vehicle, which was a motorhome we rented on a trip to NZ. Well, and the Radical in iRacing. Okay so you know what it's probably fine.
It’s like driving a mail Jeep.
Somehow all this stuff needs to go in this box.
Does anyone know how to fold a Garmin VIRB?
Worse than folding a fitted sheet?
Welp, just checked my flight status for tomorrow. My ticket was apparently a "you get a seat at the gate don't worry there'll be plenty it'll be great you'll haave a good time" type of deal. So here's what Delta is showing for remaining seat from ATL to Madrid:
Cool.
I have a five hour layover in the Atlanta airport. In that time I intend to go to the Delta lounge and dump an entire bowl of free chicken salad into my backpack, and maybe steal a chair or an ottoman. And apparently I'll have 120V in my luxurious middle seat for nine hours, so I'm thinking maybe a drop or two of chloroform on the filter of my CPAP and I just check the F out.
Monday morning update: JG is somewhere!
Safe (and enjoyable) travels!
I've really enjoyed the amount of time GRM has spent on data analysis in their articles. Maybe it's not surprising that you guys/gals are the only one doing that...nobody else seems as focused on helping competitors improve laptimes.
In reply to CrustyRedXpress :
Glad to hear that you’re enjoying the data editorial.
JG has arrived in Gran Canaria, so updates coming soon.
Oh, and the view from his window.
Hi gang.
Heck of a long trip—about 26 hours from door to door—but I'm here and we hit the track in the morning. Really looking forward to getting some power user tips from the actual VBox engineers.
They've set up a pretty cool program for us. We've got a bunch of NB Miatas prepared to an identical spec that we'll be doing practice and qualifying with Wednesday, then we'll have like three actual races Thursday. The cars are all wired up with VBox gear and after each session we'll download and analyze data using Circuit Tools. Each of the drivers has a teammate that we can use to compare data with (I'm on Team USA with Austin Irwin from Car and Driver), and I think whoever wins gets the deed to a giant chocolate factory.
Now, I'm not here to compete, I'm here to learn about data systems to be able to do my job better. But, also, I mean, come on.
I'm honestly not sure who the ringer in the group is. The fact that I don't know means it probably isn't me. Most of the other guests are EU YouTubers, and there's a couple rally drivers and a couple circuit guys in the mix, as well as some sim specialists. I just want to make a good showing for team GRM and not embarrass myself. Well, not embarrass myself on track, anyway.
I'll start updating the thread from the track in the morning. My morning, anyway, which is your overnight, so look for some info when you get up.
NBs on 500tw. What's not to like.
I drew #15. It seems to have fairly real rubber.
So it turns out I puled a dud. A few of the MX5s in the lineup had like taller 6-speed rear ends with five speed boxes, so on this track that's basically all digs, the cars with the shorter correct rear ends are out dragging me. I'm doing my best to keep up, though.
But enough excuses, the real story is I'm really excited about our track test once we incorporate the VBox Circuit Tools package. We'll be able to dive even deeper into the data with side by side video comparisons, generated ideal lap videos, and some really granular analysis tools we can use to dive seep into the data. I'm really excited, and I think it's going to bring a whole new dimension to our track tests both in print and especially on YouTube.
Here's a taste. This is my best laps from to session compared side by side, with a speed trace, and delta trace (showing where one car is gaining or losing time) and a combined G trace—or of a G cloud expressed over time. Cool stuff.
Also, how about that left hand shifting? Not bad for an American.
So you’re basically driving Moroso but counter-race.
David S. Wallens said:So you’re basically driving Moroso but counter-race.
Tiny Moroso. It's all 2nd and 3rd for me. Kinda fun, though, even though the guys with the better diffs drive away from me on the digs.
This looks awesome, I cant wait to start using this in our car reviews at the FIRM.
Glad to see you didn't drive into the ocean.
Race day! I'm getting very comfortable diving around in the Circuit Tools software, and it's cool how quickly you can explore different specific areas of data.
today we'll qualify, then run three 15 minute sprints. Me and my 3.90 rear will have trouble out qualifying the 4.40 cars with their superior midrange acceleration, but if I can qualify mid-pack I can hopefully use skill and experience to move forward. Or just spend time making excuses.
Race day! I'm getting very comfortable diving around in the Circuit Tools software, and it's cool how quickly you can explore different specific areas of data.
today we'll qualify, then run three 15 minute sprints. Me and my 3.90 rear will have trouble out qualifying the 4.40 cars with their superior midrange acceleration, but if I can qualify mid-pack I can hopefully use skill and experience to move forward. Or just spend time making excuses.
USA occupies 2 and 4, so look for a little shake and bake action as we freight train from the outside lane on the start.
Started p4. Got absolutely walked at the start by all the 4.40 cars, but made it back up to 4th at the flag. Got a rubber trophy, too.
Rubbin’ is racing’. Nice job.
PS: You’re missing the one week of good weather back at home.
Just a heads-up that we’re about to share one of JG’s lesson learned during this outing. We’re putting the piece together right meow.
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