NASA Nationals - OG Racing/Racepak Contingency Winners

(Our apologies for the delay in this announcement. We had some "technical" issues getting the final list of names)

Congratulations to all of the OG Racing/Racepak Contingency prize winners at the NASA National event this past October!

• Dan Goodman - GTS2 (Erie, CO)


• Vali Predescu - GTS3 (Corona, CA)


• Robert Stout - PTA (Brownsburg, IN)


• Andrew Rushing - SM (Austin, TX)


• Ken Smith - ST2 (Plymoth, MI)


• Joe Ippolito - TTE (Cumming, GA)


• Dan Gardner - PTC (Redondo Beach, CA)

All winners had impressive First Place finishes in their classes while using Racepak Data Acquisition Systems. Thank you for using Racepak products, and showing your support for OG Racing. And a thanks to Racepak for partnering with us on the Contingency plan!

Bringing your video and data together

Lets face it - bringing video of your weekend driving adventures to impress your coworkers on Monday can be great fun. But have you ever had trouble convincing others that you actually hit 110 on the straight in your Miata? Need proof of your record breaking laptime? Have we got the thing for you!

Okay, salesman voice off. Most of the reputable data acquisition companies have recently added updates to their software that allow the viewing of a video clip alongside corresponding data feeds. However, all of the data acquisition software stops at that, and doesn't go further to allow actual video/data merging.

Trackvision, started by a couple of local Porsche Club racers, solved that problem a few years ago with an easy to use program that allowed integrating your data acquisition file with your video file. Simple enough, right? Apparently, they felt the need for version 2.1, with a much improved interface, more video formats (16:9, HD abilities), increased datalogger compatibility (including RacePak and Traqmate), and more customizable features (such as over 20 different dashboard displays). What does the end result offer? Pictures (or in this case, video) are better then words:

West WX10 - VIR from Eric Vassian on Vimeo.

High Def!!

Camera Test/New Race Motor Break-in from Chad P. on Vimeo.

FIND OUT MORE INFO HERE!

Racepak IQ3 Footage

Courtesy of Tony Kelly:


TrackVision V2.1 with new Racepak IQ3 Display from Tony Kelly on Vimeo.

This was compiled using the TrackVision software. Trackvision will actually allow you to show a whole slew of gauge styles, and editing options. More on this software in the near future.

By the way - Tony uses a sub-$200 Aiptek HD 720p camera. Not too shabby, huh?

Racepak Racing Data Acquisition Systems

We hinted at it late last year...and now it's finally here! We'll be starting out with 2 Racepak Data Acquisition Systems:

The Racepak IQ3 Logger Dash ($1395):



and the more economically priced G2X Data Recorder ($943.50):



Both are complete, self contained GPS based Data Acquisition units. If you're simply looking for track mapping, both of these are plug and play. The IQ3 is completely self-contained within the dash - what you see is what you get; no extra wires leading to a separate data logger. The G2X is a more traditionally designed system with a bright LED Dash Display and a lightweight and compact centrally stored data logger.

Both come with throttle/RPM sensors (an extra cost accessory on most competing systems) so you're all set to use the included shift lights and gear indicators. Both also are ready to accept other inputs such as oil temp, air/fuel ratios, or vehicle ride height (32 extra inputs for the IQ3, 12 for the G2X - sensors available separately).

Both also connect to your computer in the simplest way possible - SD cards! Simply remove the card, and plug it into the computer. Doesn't get much simpler then that. I've also had a short chance to play around with the included DataLink2 software. It seems extremely straight-forward and user friendly as opposed to the other pieces of data acquisition software I've had a chance play with.

Needless to say, I'm very excited to start playing with this stuff this spring. Everything is very professionally built with actual car connector clips for the wires, and well sealed inputs (read my complaints with most racing aftermarket electronics in my rant on video systems). I wouldn't expect much less - Racepak is owned by MSD Ignitions; a real-to-life "big" company with years of experience in the automotive industry. No flimsy garage-built start-up stuff here. Get this - they even have a complete team of customer support representatives (7-days a week) if the need arises!

MSD Racepak Data Acquisition

Yes, those sensor connectors are "stackable." Talk about clean wiring!!

This is the first thing that caught our eye at the show - and we're quite smitten. To the point where we're already adding part numbers! Per Racepak's description:

The IQ3 data logger dash is designed to be a complete data center. Contained inside the fully programmable dash is a 32 channel data logger, 512 MB microSD memory card, GPS board and 3 axis G meter. The programmable shift lights are protected from sunlight by a molded shield above the lights, while the low glare LCD display is well recessed in the housing in order to provide viewing in all light conditions.

The rear of the dash contains the connectors for the external GPS antenna, Vnet sensor cable and the Power / Ground / Engine RPM / External Programming Button harness. All sensors transmit their data through a single cable (Vnet) which is routed to the rear of the dash. This eliminates the need for a sensor harness, greatly reducing installation time, complexity and overall weight.

All data is stored in a 512 MB MicroSD memory card, located in the front of the dash between the programmable shift lights. This design insures easy access to the memory card for data download.

Prices start right around $1400 for a basic unit (comes standard with GPS lap tracking, dash, programming, and expandability for up to 32 external sensor inputs.) And all of the top-notch tech support that MSD has to offer!! Available from OG Racing now!