View Full Version : First Track Day of 2023 - Sonoma Raceway, CA
Dave Tabor
03-04-2023, 07:17 PM
First track day of the year with the Golden Gate Lotus Club - Sonoma Raceway (Sears Point), CA.
Mix of 20, 25 and 30 min sessions over 6 session - 165 miles of track driving.
New wing and nose/splitter shaved 5 seconds off my best time from last year. I've driven this track a lot in several different cars and while not a true A:B:A test by the end of last year I had peaked as far as personal best time at this track.
Video of PB lap:
https://youtu.be/Q0yiZvnC8fg
Camera is a Insta360 X2.
Dave (@davesdaytona on Instagram)
Gen III Coupe #17
17,000+ miles
Ford Racing Boss 302 (X302b), carbureted, TKO600, IRS
Nitto NT01s
Brembo 13" front / 2015 Mustang 13" rear brakes
Hawk DTC-60 front / DTC-30 rear
Jim1855
03-04-2023, 07:27 PM
Dave,
I really like the videos. Thanks for posting.
Jim
That was awesome! Really smooth driving, and smooth is fast. Do forgive me for what is probably a stupid question, but the camera position had me puzzled. It seemed to be filming from some point slightly above and behind your car! What did I miss here?
Dave 53
03-04-2023, 08:54 PM
It looks like you washed your car over the winter. You sure that new found time isn't just from having a clean car?
Dave Tabor
03-04-2023, 10:21 PM
That was awesome! Really smooth driving, and smooth is fast. Do forgive me for what is probably a stupid question, but the camera position had me puzzled. It seemed to be filming from some point slightly above and behind your car! What did I miss here?
The camera is a Insta360 360-degree camera on a boom off the rear hatch- you can see the boom/camera in the pictures. It captures a 360-degree view of the world with the camera at the center - it has two lenses, each capturing a 180 degree field of view. The resulting video can then be rendered down to a 'flat' file like the one I linked - you can choose the view - in this case I asked the software to 'follow' my car.
Here is a video of the full 360:
https://youtu.be/1G0sp0tHNRg
Play this in full-screen mode at high-res. You can then used your left mouse button (click and hold) to pan around and the scroll wheel to zoom in and out.
It's like having your own personal video drone/camera crew. My apologies if I'm telling you something you already knew.
Dave
Gen III #17
Dave Tabor
03-04-2023, 10:22 PM
It looks like you washed your car over the winter. You sure that new found time isn't just from having a clean car?
I did 'wash' it. It did not get very clean. Maybe more aero when the car is clean and a bit lighter!
Also went from white to black stripes...
Dave
Gen III #17
Dave, thanks for the explaination. I am not very tech savvy. You taught me something that I would probably never heard of. I'm going to check out the 360 video. Thanks.
Very cool video! Are you going to be out with Nor Cal Shelby Club at Thunder Hill April 1?
https://www.norcal-saac.org/event-details/2023-spring-sprint
Dave Tabor
03-05-2023, 02:02 PM
Very cool video! Are you going to be out with Nor Cal Shelby Club at Thunder Hill April 1?
https://www.norcal-saac.org/event-details/2023-spring-sprint
I'm considering it - I've run with the Shelby Club in the past.
Dave
Gen III #17
FredG
03-05-2023, 03:13 PM
Great video!
I am near VIR ... one day when she is done.
I'm considering it - I've run with the Shelby Club in the past.
Dave
Gen III #17
I am considering going and being in the yellow beginner group. Having a hard time reaching anyone in the NC Shelby club. Wanted to see how many cars would be in my group.
Ron J
03-06-2023, 01:15 AM
Thanks for the update.
I have a totally unrelated question. I noticed the front CA "sticker".
What can you tell me about the front license plate sticker. Looks like a slick alternative to a plate.
Thanks
Ron
Dave Tabor
03-06-2023, 12:04 PM
Thanks for the update.
I have a totally unrelated question. I noticed the front CA "sticker".
What can you tell me about the front license plate sticker. Looks like a slick alternative to a plate.
Thanks
Ron
Sure- it's a photograph of my actual license plate printed to sticker via Etsy or some online vendor. It's actually a 70%-sized print.
I have a front plate bracket but I have to remove it when running the aero nose which is a pain. And I had received a 'no front plate' ticket last year. Most cool cars in my area do not run front plates but there are spots around here known for getting tickets for this.
I don't claim that the sticker is legit in any way- just trying to look the part at speed on local roads.
But Google 'ca sticker license plate' - I see a lot of Teslas around here with these.
Dave
Gen III #17