Motor racing is one of those things that is hard to describe in a movie or television show. Those who compete know what it feels like to succeed and they know the pain of failure. Sometimes it can be difficult to put into words or explain, and there are only a few films that help.

With the impending release of an Ayrton Senna movie later this year, it seems timely to mention a couple of other great films that have caught our attention.

One great classic is Grand Prix. This movie doesn't have the most complex story line, but does feature some amazing (especially for it's time) race footage.

Another is Le Mans. Le Mans features a little more analysis of the driver, and what makes a (stereotypical) racer tick.

Love the Beast is a more recent film by Australian Eric Bana. It follows Bana's development of a racecar for Targa Tasmania, and his competition in the event. Woven within the story is the real theme of the movie - how motorsport can generate and strengthen mateships that transcend everyday life. The movie also works in interviews with Jeremy Clarkson and Jay Leno, known car nuts.

Perhaps the best representation we have seen at iRace HQ is an episode of Top Gear - Series 10, Episode 8. The Top Gear boys put together a production-based BMW to run in a 24 hour endurance race at Silverstone. The episode really manages to highlight some of the highs and lows, and that determination that is needed to press on in motorsport. This episode should be compulsory viewing for anyone thinking of getting into racing. The episode can be purchased individually from the Australian iTunes store, click here to view it in iTunes (make sure you go for Episode 8 of the Series that loads).

Do you know of a movie or film we've missed? Head to our Facebook page and let us know!

Onboard cameras are a great tool, and the recent explosion in affordable high quality cameras has meant that an onboard camera is a viable proposition for most racers. Get yourself a camera, and pretty soon you'll have a load of great footage. But what do you do with it? We recommend the great video sharing site Vimeo, but first you'll probably want to do some editing.

Which is where this tutorial comes in. After using a small selection of video editing tools, we've found that one of the simplest and fastest solutions is Quicktime Pro. This program is available from Apple, and comes in Mac and Windows PC compatible versions. There are loads of video editing programs available (and certainly others with loads more features), but we haven't found any that match Quicktime Pro for speed and simplicity (sometimes all those extra features just add complexity and make a program harder to use). Quicktime Pro allows you to select certain sections from your source videos and combine them into one or more edited videos. You can add MP3 soundtracks, and also create videos from the Time Lapse feature of some onboard cameras. Quicktime Pro also allows you to compress your video file so it is quicker to upload to the internet.

The best way to get familiar with the features and how to use Quicktime Pro is by seeing it done, so without further ado, here is a video tutorial:

Basic Editing with Quicktime Pro from Sam Dale on Vimeo.

The video goes into recommended export settings. To save you needing to watch the video each time you want to remember the settings, they are as follows:

• Select Movie-to-MPEG4, then under "Options":
• File Format: "MP4"
• Video Format: "H.264"
• Data Rate: choose between 2000 kbits/sec and 5000 kbits/sec
• Image Size: "Current"
• Frame Rate: "Current"
• Key Frame: "Every" 30 seconds

If you find your file size is too big (or you just want to make it smaller so you can upload it to the internet), you can work with either the "Data Rate" setting or the "Image Size" setting. Vimeo has some guidelines for the Data Rate settings at this link.

There are many more options for video editing, and if you have one your prefer, we'd love to hear from you, and perhaps you could submit a tutorial for this page.

Handy links:

• Quicktime Pro on the Australian Apple store
• iRace Vimeo page
• Vimeo sign up page
• Vimeo Upload a video page
• iRace Vimeo instructions
• Launch Helmet Cams

The VHoldR ContourHD is a versatile and easy-to-use video recording system.

We tested a unit at Round 2 at Morgan Park, onboard Richard Mork's Honda Integra in Super Hoist Plus Production Racing Cars. The results were very good (and can be seen at onboard.irace.net.au), a full review follows.

What's in the box?

The ContourHD arrives in an attractive display case. Inside the standard package you get:

• Contour HD Camera unit

• MicroSD Card (2GB)
• Goggle Mount
• Flat Surface Mount
• Rechargeable Battery
• USB Cable

Setting Up

Setting the camera up to record is extremely straightforward.

The back cover of the camera opens by sliding to one side, and then folding open. The battery is then inserted in a receptacle on the back of the recorder, the memory card is inserted under the same cover, and there is also a simple slide switch to choose between the two recording modes (HD or SD).

Getting this ready to go takes about one minutes.

Mounting

Our test unit was supplied with two accessory parts, which we used to mount the camera to the roll cage of Richard Mork's car. The Universal Mount ($39) slides easily onto the "T" grooves on the base of the camera, and the mount itself has a standard (1/4", the same as most tripods) female thread, allowing attachment to a huge range of accessories. We then attached the XXL Roll Bar Mount ($69), which uses a hose clamp to attach securely to the roll cage.

We mounted the XXL Roll Bar Mount pointing in roughly the right direction (with the hose clamp), and the mount itself then offers multi-directional adjustment, allowing you to point the camera exactly where you want it.

The camera itself then offers rotation of the lens to level the shot. The front bezel rotates, and moves the sensor to set it up perfectly horizontally. The camera also has two lasers incorporated, which allow you to assess where the centreline of your shot will be (a very useful feature, which mitigates the lack of a display screen to check your shot).

Operation

Once setup, the camera features a single power button on the back. Pressing this turns the unit on. The lasers illuminate briefly so you can check your shot, and the green light on the front of the camera lets you know it's ready to go. To start recording you simply slide the switch at the top of the camera to the front. The light turns amber to confirm recording is in progress.

To stop recording, the slide switch is moved to the rear, and power off via the same switch used to turn the unit on.

This system is VERY simple. You can operate it by feel, which is a big advantage if you can't see the camera when you're turning it on (helmet-mounted for example).

Downloading

The ContourHD includes a USB cable to allow you to connect the camera to the USB port of your computer and download the video files. Our preferred method of download is to remove the Micro SD memory card from the camera and use a USB SD Card Reader to access the files directly (see sidebar for more info on this).

Using our preferred method, the video files were easily accessible, and downloaded quickly to our computer. You can also watch the video files on the computer directly from the memory card (accessing it as an external drive). The files are .MOV, which can be viewed on almost all computers.

The ContourHD also includes some "Easy Edit" software, which allows you to download, edit and share the captured video. This is an important feature for novice users, and avoids any confusion over which software to use.

Video Quality

The video quality from the ContourHD is outstanding.
Resolution: There are two resolutions to choose from, 1280x720 pixels or 848x480 pixels. The higher resolution is High Definition, and the lower is DVD quality.

Clarity: The video is very clear, and offers a very wide field of view. Close objects (~50cm) are in clear focus, and objects that are far away are in focus. The wide angle of the lens - 135 degrees - also means that you capture a lot of action in the frame.

Smoothness: There are two frame rate options, each tied to a resolution. The HD setting offers 30fps (smooth), and the SD setting offers 60fps (VERY smooth).

Light Balance: Our test footage was shot from inside the cockpit of Richard Mork's car. The light balance was quite good considering the difference between the lighting conditions.

Sound: There is a built-in microphone which is quite effective at capturing good audio. As mentioned our test footage was captured inside the car, so we can't comment on how the microphone will cope with wind noise. The sound captured by our unit was excellent, and it even caught the comments made by the driver!

To view some of the video we filmed, click here. Note that this video is compressed for display on the internet, but still gives an excellent idea of the video quality. If you're interested in seeing the original files, let us know and we can send them to you.

Accessories

There is a wide range of accessories available for the ContourHD, including:

• Camera Mounts
• Bags and Cases
• Power Supply
• Spare Parts

The accessories that may be useful for you will depend on where you are going to mount your camera. For mounting the camera in the cabin of most cars, you will probably need to investigate the two accessories we mentioned above. You may also like to get a case to protect and store your camera unit.

If you want to be more adventurous with mounting the camera head, you may want to consider some of the alternative accessories. There are lens and camera protectors, roll cage mounts, suction mounts, clamp mounts, goggle-strap mounts and more.

Summary

The ContourHD is an outstanding entry into the onboard camera world. It offers very simple operation, flexible mounting, and great video. At just $399 it is also EXTREMELY afforable, and a worthy addition to your racegear.

More information

ContourHD User Manual
ContourHD Product Page at Launch Helmet Cams
ContourHD Sample iRace Footage
ContourHD Accessories

The VIO POV1.5 is a very capable digital point-of-view (POV) video recording system.

We tested a unit at Round 1 at Oran Park, onboard Tony Bonanno's Turbo MX5 in RocketSports. The results were excellent (and can be seen at onboard.irace.net.au), but read on for our full review of the VIO POV1.5.

What's in the box?

The VIO POV1.5 arrives in an attractive box. Inside the box, pretty much everything is contained in a sturdy carry case (very handy for ongoing use). Inside the carry case you get:

• POV1.5 recording unit

• Camera head with 1.5 metre cable
• Software/instructions CD
• Wireless remote control
• 4GB SDHC memory card
• USB cable
• Analog AV cable
• Mounting accessories
• 4 x AA batteries

Setting Up

Setting the camera up to record is quite straightforward.

Batteries are inserted in a receptacle on the back of the recorder, the cover is held in place by two locking tabs - very secure.

The memory card is inserted in the bottom of the recorder. The slot is protected by a cover affixed by a thumb screw - again, very secure.

The end of the camera head cable has a screw on plug that screws neatly into the top of the recorder.

Getting this ready to go takes about two minutes.

Mounting

We mounted the camera in Tony Bonanno's MX5, and it took about five minutes. We used an accessory mounting case for the recording unit (we'll talk more about this below), which allowed us to easily mount the recorder to a vertical leg of the roll cage. There are many options for where to mount the recorder, but we wanted to be able to see the small screen, and access the controls in place.

We cable-tied the cable along some roll cage tubes, and then used the included 'double hook and loop mount' and some more cable-ties to attach the camera head to another part of the roll cage. The resulting mount was very steady, and provided an excellent camera shot. As the shot incorporated part of the dash board, we had an iRace sticker in view initially, but discovered that it reflected of the windscreen, partially obscuring the shot - just something to keep an eye out for when mounting your camera.

Operation

The controls on the camera are quite simple. There are seven buttons, but you can pretty much get away with using just two of them once setup.

The onscreen menus are easy to follow, and setting the modes you want is simple (you may need to read the manual to help decide which modes and settings are best for you).

Once the settings are right, to start recording all you need to do is turn the camera on (one button), and then press record. You'll get visual confirmation that recording is in progress on the screen. Once you've finished recording, it's one button to stop recording, and one button to turn the camera off.

It is possible to review the footage on the small screen, and this could be quite useful in the field/at the track.

The camera also includes a small wireless remote control. This uses radio frequency to control the camera, so it doesn't need to be line-of-sight to work. We elected not to use the remote, because we wanted to check the screen and confirm the camera was operating each time. With some familiarity, the remote would be an excellent option, and could easily be mounted (cable-ties) to a steering wheel or dashboard.

Downloading

The camera includes a variety of cables to access the video. There is an AV cable to allow you to connect the camera direct to a TV, and control the playback via the recorder. There is also a USB cable to allow you to connect the camera to the USB port of your computer and download the video files. Our preferred method of download is to remove the SD memory card from the camera and use a USB SD Card Reader to access the files directly (see sidebar for more info on this).

Using our preferred method, the video files were easily accessible, and downloaded quickly to our computer. You can also watch the video files on the computer directly from the memory card (accessing it as an external drive). The files are .AVI, which can be viewed on almost all computers.

Video Quality

The video quality from the VIO POV1.5 is excellent.
Resolution: There is a range of resolutions to choose from, up to a maximum of 720 x 480 pixels, at up to 30 frames per second. This is effectively DVD resolution video.
Resolution options are: 720x480, 720x400, 640x480, 360x240, 360x200, or 320x240.

Clarity: The video is very clear, and a very wide field of view. Objects that are quite close (~40cm) are in clear focus, and objects that are far away are in focus. The wide angle of the lens - 110 degrees - also means that you capture a lot of action in the frame.

Smoothness: With up to 30 frames per second, the smoothness of the video is very good. DVD video maxes out at ~30 frames per second, so that gives you an idea.

Light Balance: Much of our test footage was shot in overcast conditions - these are often the most troublesome for an onboard camera - the exposure or light balance needs to be adjusted to show detail on the dark areas inside the car, as well as the very bright, white sky. The VIO POV1.5 handled these conditions very well, with excellent details on all parts of the picture.

Sound: The camera cable features an inbuilt microphone (about halfway along, so around 3 feet from the camera head), and this proved to work very well when mounted inside the car. We didn't do any testing with the unit mounted in a noisier area (engine bay, or outside in the airflow), but the mic level is adjustable, and should be no trouble to get nice sound in challenging conditions. There's also the option of an external (tie-clip) microphone, which could be positioned wherever you like.

To view some of the video we filmed, click here. Note that this video is compressed for display on the internet, but still gives an excellent idea of the video quality. If you're interested in seeing the original files, let us know and we can send them to you.

Accessories

There is a wide range of accessories available for the POV VIO1.5, including:

• Camera Mounts
• Bags and Cases
• Cables and Microphones
• Power Supply
• Spare Parts

The accessories that may be useful for you will depend on where you are going to mount your camera head and recording unit. For mounting the camera in the cabin of most cars, you should be able to get by with the included gear, but you may want to check out one of the camera extension cables to allow you to put the camera head further from the recorder. You may also like to get a case to protect and mount the recording unit. Finally, a roll bar mount for the camera head may give you that little bit of extra security and flexibility.

If you want to be more adventurous with mounting the camera head, you may want to consider some of the alternative accessories. There are lens and camera protectors, roll cage mounts, suction mounts, clamp mounts, goggle-strap mounts and more. There is also the optional external microphone, and you can even get a power kit to allow you to hardwire the camera to your battery, or plug it into the cigarette lighter.

Summary

The VIO POV1.5 is a professional-quality camera. The included equipment allows you to capture onboard footage straight away, and there are a range of accessories available to expand your mounting options. Video quality is very good across the board, with the only omission being HD recording. The inbuilt screen allows you to ensure you've got the perfect shot, access menus easily, and review your video without a computer or TV. And the price is affordable, at $795. If this is in your budget, and you're in the market for an onboard camera, the VIO POV1.5 is highly recommended!

More information

VIO POV1.5 User Manual
VIO POV1.5 Product Page at Launch Helmet Cams
VIO POV1.5 Sample iRace Footage
Mounting accessories
Cable and microphone accessories

We'll have some hardcore product reviews coming soon, but in the meantime, Christmas is fast approaching, and it may be useful to make a few Christmas gift suggestions. You'll note that these are all products available from our iRace supporters - we make no apologies about that, it's important to support and recognise the companies that support iRace and our competitors.

So, some gift ideas for you to hint about to your family, or to pick up for your loved ones:

An onboard/helmet camera from Launch Helmet Cams. Don't forget to mention you are an iRace competitor to receive a bonus 16Gb memory card.

A gift certificate from Marulan Driver Training Centre. Brush up on your racing skills in the off season, or give a loved one the skills to be a safer road user.

Perhaps a little ambitious for a Christmas gift, but a hoist from Super Hoist Plus would be the ultimate addition to any racers workshop!!

A pair of new gloves or driving boots would make an excellent gift for any racer. Check out the G Force line, available through John (Kumho) Mills' F-Sport operation.

The McHitch Uniglide Trailer Coupling has been developed to be an all purpose coupler for all types of trailers including: off road campers, car trailers, caravans, horse trailers, tipping trailers and every type of tow situation out there. At the moment there are two models being manufactured here in Australia, the 3.5 tonne and 6 tonne models with a 10 tonne version under development.

The most important feature of the McHitch couplings is the use of a universal joint to handle all of the horizontal/vertical movements, well past 90 degrees horizontally AND vertically (nothing else on the market comes close) with the twisting being handled in the rear body by shock absorbing urethane bushes. The universal joint itself is the same found in all 4wd Landcruisers (industry part no RUJ-2041 made by Toyo Japan). The joint itself is held in place by registers and opposite threaded plugs/end caps which removes any end play. The universal and the rear body are both fully greaseable.

To fully understand the product, check out the video below:


For more information, visit www.mchitch.com.au