video camera clamp mount

Using On-Board Cameras For Track Days

Track days are becoming increasingly popular both for people wanting to experience high speed motoring in top of the range cars or simply for others wanting to push their own bikes and cars to the limit in a ‘safe’ environment. No extreme motoring experience would be complete without a DVD to demonstrate your Lewis Hamilton-like skills to family and friends. If this is a must-have for you it is worth checking out what is on offer at your track of choice before the day itself. Some tracks will allow you to take your own on board or helmet camera, others will allow you to film providing you sign a disclaimer and some have an absolute ban.  There are four main scenarios:

Someone at the track may already be on hand to offer their services to provide you with a camera set up to film your experience. This service generally includes mounting the camera, handling all the filming and burning the video to a DVD.  You should expect to pay between £25-£35 for this type of package.

The second and popular option is to take your own helmet camera with you. Most of the regular tracks around the country are perfectly happy for people to use a helmet camera or on-board camera but they will check to ensure that the mounting of the camera is secure.

Thirdly, the higher profile tracks such as Silverstone or Brands Hatch will require you to sign a disclaimer promising that the footage is for private use only and won’t be uploaded to the web.  At these tracks you’ll also need to have the permission of the race officials to take the camera out and again they will want to check that it is mounted securely.

A handful of tracks are completely against having any in-car, on-board, or helmet mounted action cameras out on their tracks. Unfortunately this includes the legendary Nürburgring where they will give you a life time ban if they catch you trying to sneak a camera onto the track.

Choosing a camera

If you are going to be enjoying track days fairly often or if you would also use the camera out on the road or for various other sports, then it may be more cost effective to buy your own. A starter camera retails from just £99 and for £299 you’ll be able to get a top spec, HD action cam. The most popular cameras and the best for filming track days and other motorsports are on board cameras.

Mounting

There are various ways to mount an action camera to optimise results, dependent on both an individual’s preferences and the specific sport.  Within the field of motorsports, correct mounting of the camera is a vital consideration as track day officials won’t allow an action camera which isn’t mounted securely. Whilst industrial strength adhesive has been tested at huge speeds, that simply won’t cut it with officials. You’ll need to have a purpose built camera mount which either fits around or clamps onto your handle bar or forks. Panavise suction mounts are also acceptable on most tracks which is good news as the suction mount lets you position the action camera on to your helmet, the bikes tank, the outside or inside of your car or pretty much anywhere else where you can find a smooth surface.

Each track and race day official will have its own views on the best and safest way to use in-car, on-car, on-board, or helmet mounted action cameras to film your race day. You can rent them at the track or bring your own, in which case you need to be sure to have a secure mount so that you’ll be able to take it onto the track to capture your experience.

About the Author

Submitted by Warrick Kernes, Product Manager at Action Cameras.  Action Cameras was founded in January 2006 with the objective of bringing the latest developments in helmet camera technology to Europe so that its customers can record and share their extreme sports experiences.

Homemade clamp mount for camera on motorcycle made from gooseneck lamp – fail

2.5 To 3.5 Ssd/sata Convert $14.41 Introducing the ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-2B Black: another milestone in our 2.5″ SSD product line. MB882SP-1S-2B has a removable cover and was redesigned to have the same build quality as MB882SP-1S-1B while having a lighter weight and be more cost efficient due to a decrease in the amount of hardware used.Through manufacturing efficiency we have managed to redesign the original MB882SP-1S-1B without a…

Tely Labs telyHD Skype Camera (Black) $239.99 telyHD is a revolutionary new device that delivers full HD Skype video calling right to your living room on your HD TV. Instantly connect with the people you care about no matter how far away they might be. telyHD is the easiest way to make a video call, simply plug telyHD into the HMDI port on your TV or AV receiver. Wi-Fi enabled and no computer required, telyHD includes everything you need: an …

iPad 2 / 3 Tripod Mount – G5 Pro® By iShot® Mounts — Adapter – Holder – Attachment – Made in the U.s.a – Free Window Mount Included – NEW iPad 2 / 3 Accessories Kit (4002-ipad2) $56.95 Simply screw onto your tripod head and insert your device. Done! Move your device around in the clamp in any orientation you’d like. Pan in any direction on your tripod like a pro without shaky video. iShot® Mounts G5 Pro sports an elegant brass thread for longevity. Light and discreet, weighing in at less than 9 ounces fits easily in your backpack, purse, case etc. Now ask yourself what can i do…

Kensington Noise Reducing Car Audio AUX Cable for MP3 or SmartPhone, including iPhone 4S $8.80 Have you tried using a phone connecting cable in your car for your MP3 player or SmartPhone and been bothered by a “hum” that accompanies the sound? The best way to avoid that bothersome humming is to connect directly into your car’s AUX port so you get pure sound without interference from the car’s electrical system. The Kensington Noise Reducing Car Audio AUX Cable lets you do that easily…

Garmin eTrex Handlebar Mount Bracket $15.03 Garmin GPS Handlebar Mounting Bracket. Secure your GPS Unit to your bike with this Handlebar Mounting Bracket. Get yours now! Garmin Handlebar Mounting Bracket. Note: For “Cx” models customer needs to use the clip that isincluded with the GPS unit (small plastic piece that screws on the back) instead of the replacement battery cover that is included with the mount….

Bracketron PHV-200-BL Grip-iT Mobile Device Holder (Black) $19.95 The Grip-iT Device HolderCompatible with all models of *Apple iPods including the iPod mini Mobile phones Satellite Radios PDA’s Portable Mp3 Players and Handheld GPS units.*Not patible with iPod Nano. Provides a secure mounting option with easy installation. Adjustable Arms open to 4.5″ wide to acmodate wide range of mobile devices. Arms also adjust to allow easy reach of device button controls. …

PanaVise Model 201 Junior Miniature Vise $22.50 The PanaVise 201 “Junior” miniature vise is a combination of quality workmanship and durability, ease of adjustment and available accessories. Designed for use in small projects requiring precise soldering, gluing and tool work, the 201 Junior miniature vise features tilt adjustability up to 210-degrees along with 360-degree turns and rotations, fine and course clamping abilities, grooved jaws…

Logan Model 301-S Compact Mat Cutter $65.00 Compact Mat Cutter. Versatile, portable 32″ mat cutter provides affordable and professional results. Open ended guide rail allows bevel cuts in matboards of any size. Includes parallel mat guide for setting border widths from 3/4″ to 41/4″, safety lock to keep mat guide secure during cutting, spring loaded, instant release mat guide knobs, built-in carry handle in box, serrated aluminum guide rail…

PanaVise 324 Electronic Work Center $81.99 Convenient, economical. Angle of solder iron keeps iron at proper heat, and solder holder centers wire. Keeps everything right at hand. This model combines 4 other models: 620PO028, 620PO010, 620PO026, and 620PO080 solder stations….

Professional 58mm Digital Tulip Flower Lens Hood For canon 18-55mm , 28-80mm , 28-90mm , 28-105mm , 55-250mm , 70-300mm , 75-300mm , 100-300mm , 50mm 1.4 , 85mm 1.8 with Lens cap Holder and Lens cleaning Kit $1.49 Rotates so that you get the exact amount of shading that you require from the sun - Locking clamp thread design so you can mount on an adapter or ring and still rotate the lens hood - Lightweight and portable - Protects your lens and camera from accidental damage - Easy to use: just screw it on the way a filter would. Rotate to the right to tighten, rotate to the left to detach - 3 Year Limited Wa…