Forum Home / Silverstone GP 17th March 2014 / In car video camera

08/03/2014 00:36:07
jcarruthers
Now I think I know the answer to this… but I'll ask anyway. I bought myself a GoPro as it seems better than my usual solution of digital camera etc I have a proper suction mount (with two suckers) which is more likely to pull the back window out if you tugged at it — however Silverstone say that it must be secured by mechanical means. How about a decent tether? Trying to work out how else I can mount it — nothing that I can think of in my saloon — no head rests! James
08/03/2014 07:21:42
Tim Guy
Hi James Mechanical attachment is the only way that will find approval by the circuits and their marshals. Their argument is that the camera becomes a projectile bouncing round the inside of car in the event of anything unfortunate happening. I strongly suspect that they will argue that a flexible tether won't prevent it swinging around in the event of detachment. Although GoPros are quite light, I wouldn't want to be swiped with one at 70MPH odd. The best attachment method I have seen for a car without a roll cage is a box section 'U' bolted between the headrest posts although this does sometimes result in the camera being a little further back than you might want for optimal view.
08/03/2014 09:25:35
jcarruthers
Hi Tim, It's fair enough really. I may have to rig up a pole that goes between the two unused rear seatbelt bolt holes. Will work something out today. As I said —*I don't have any headrests so there's practically nothing to mount it on. The only other option is to use one of the GoPro sticky mounts on to the glass — from what I have read they are really sticky and a pain to get off. James
08/03/2014 18:09:52
Stu
I have a gopro I use a headrest adaptor for in car as Tim has outlined but as an added extra i have used the black plastic base the go pro comes mounted on when you buy it. It has a moulded mounting slot I have drilled four holes in each corner and have it cable tied to the front of the radiator grill. It gives some interesting footage This was taken on my go pro via rad cam last year [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhWSOgH1DxY&feature=youtu.be"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhWSOgH1DxY&feature=youtu.be[/URL] Stu:D
08/03/2014 20:26:33
prb
At Snetterton the marshals were happy if I tethered the camera to the mirror with cable ties. Strange that commercial filming, e.g. Top Gear, uses suction mounts all the time. As you say, most suction mounts are almost capable of lifting the car but Silverstone must have had an "incident" or they have a very anal H & S officer.:cool:
08/03/2014 22:32:29
jcarruthers
I'm pretty sure if I screwed in a few eye bolts in to either side of the parcel shelf where the rear seat belt mounts are — and then tethered it to both — it would be hard not to say it wasn't well attached. Sadly methinks silly H&S will get in the way. I'll have to talk with the marshals when I get there to see what I can do. James
09/03/2014 00:35:48
MG Dug
Stu, I will be using my new GoPro for the first time at Silverstone and hope to get some footage like yours. Which model GoPro did you use and what resolution setting? As I have a roll cage, I will mount the camera to an exhaust clamp so no problems there. I recall there were some issues re cameras mounted external to the cockpit at some circuits - has this been resolved as I had hoped for some "grille footage". Doug
09/03/2014 06:36:31
Stu
Hi Doug I have the Go pro 2 silver I will dig out the camera and let you have the settings i cant recall off hand. I think i use the medium view angle, the wide is very wide. the fps I go as high as poss especially if mounted low on the front or it does struggle keeping up as the ground rushes by. I think most of the issues with external mounted cams as they are nearly all suction mounts, using the method i explained there is no way this will come off. ( The weathers looking good this week so i will take a photo when i get the car out of the garage) Stu PS. If you haven't already got it, download the free gopro app for your phone, you can then start/stop the camera via remote wifi just before the session starts as you see the head of the cue leaving the pit lane. Saves a lot if dead time at the start. Also get at least 2 spare batteries, i usually find one battery is only good for two sessions!
09/03/2014 12:38:30
jcarruthers
Thanks to Stu I realised I had the perfect solution —*using the plate that came with it I drilled a couple of holes and replaced the interior light on the roof. Super easy! Took ten minutes. Properly firmly in place! James
09/03/2014 16:09:38
jcarruthers
As you can see here: [url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescarruthers/13036669334/[/url]
09/03/2014 16:39:41
Stu
Whats a roof ? LOL :D Looks fine, no such luxury in the F Stu
09/03/2014 23:04:45
jcarruthers
A roof makes you go faster :)
10/03/2014 07:31:07
Dave P
Just to add to this, Silverstone have tightened up on cameras this year and have produced a form that anyone using a camera needs to fill in before registration. They are saying that the 'installation' needs to be inspected and approved although they don't say by whom or where! The form will go out with the event guide but I have attached a copy so you can see what they are saying. Suction mounts are definitely out (as always)
10/03/2014 13:33:10
jcarruthers
Mine is bolt in and and "made for the purpose" — albeit by me :) Hope it passes now after the expense of it.
10/03/2014 17:30:24
mgnminiman
Does this mean self adhesive gopro mounts are not allowed?