We have searched for a long time for a really good video camera for use on our race cars.  We didn't have many requirements.  Only that it must be small and light, needing no  external wiring, easy to mount, good battery life, good resolution,  reliable, and, oh yes,  affordable!  Not too much to ask.  Some of those we have tried stopped recording as the car left the grid, some had poor resolution resulting in a tiny picture and some produced a jittery picture you couldn't see.  You may have had some similar experiences.  We have used some really good ones, too.  In the Mazda Pro series we encountered excellent cameras we rented for $600 per weekend.  Hardly affordable.  Recently, we discovered the Motorsports Hero camera produced by GoPro Camera which has radically changed our opinion of using video cameras on race cars.

The GoPro Motorsports Hero is easy to use during any activity. This shockproof/waterproof camera makes it easy to shoot digital video and still photos. Check out the Gadget Show's attempt to destroy the camera below. Miniature size and versatility combine with 640×480 TV quality video resolution and 3 megapixel photos to form a highly convenient and reliable sports camera.  It comes with 16mb of internal memory, expandable to 2GB.  All this at only $179.00!  Click here to order.

In addition to its use as a motorsports camera, you can use the Motorsports Hero while you surf, ski, hike, bike, kayak, or climb. The GoPro has various mounting options available which means you can mount it on just about anything. The GoPro is durable, with crack proof poly carbonate  housing and glass lens and is water proof down to 100ft.

What this mean to you: Having a hard time convincing the wife or guys at the office of the glorious feats you pulled off last weekend while you were slaying the field as a weekend warrior?  Fret no more.  Now you can put them in the car with you when you pull off that incredible, risky pass!

Shown here on a wrist strap.  This camera has many uses besides your race car.










Size:  1.25" X 1.75" X 2.6"

Weight:  4.6 oz
















Batteries:  2 AAA

We recommend NiMH or
Lithium.












Motorsports Hero comes
with 16mb of internal memory to get you started but it's not enough to be practical.  We recommend a 2gb SD card which is good for up to 56 minutes of recording time.










Included is a mini USB splitter cable which lets you download to your computer with a regular sized USB or connect to your TV with RCA plugs.

Sensor	3 megapixel stills, 2,048 X 1536 resolution
Glass Lens	f2.8 fixed
Exposure	Auto
Memory	16mb internal, expandable to 2gb with SD card
Video	30 frames per second at 512 X 384, 56 min record time on 2gb card
Self Timer	10 seconds
PC Connection	USB interface, RCA plugs for TV
Power	2 AAA
Operating System	Windows ME/2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS 9.1 or later
Dimensions	1.25" X 1.75" X 2.6"

Features

The Motorsports Hero was specifically designed for use in extreme sports, including auto racing.  As racers, we understand racing is about as extreme as it gets.  The camera does not have the bells and whistles you might expect on a general purpose camera but is perfect for our needs.  It uses an optical viewfinder rather than an LCD screen so you should position it carefully before sending a car out.  It does use a small LCD screen on the front for status  information.  A blinking red LED on the front indicates the record function.  Two buttons control the variety of features and you should get to know them to ensure you don't erase data before you download it.  Downloading is easy, however.  Simply connect camera to computer with the provided cable.  The computer will recognize it as a device or removable disk from which you can view, copy or download.  No software is required. Connecting to a TV is even simpler.   It's plug and play.

Audio recording can be set to either High or Low and the low setting is recommended for race cars. The Motorsports Hero takes great, high resolution still shots but lacks a flash so is best used outdoors.   Battery life with alkalines is pretty limited but 900mAh NiMH will let you record for around 90 minutes before recharging.  Lithium batteries will last as much as 8 hours before requiring replacement.

Practical Reasons to Record

Documenting driving infractions.  We all want to relive our on track sessions and show off to friends.  That's the fun part of recording our races.  But there are some very practical reasons to record our time on the track, too.  I recently witnessed a contact incident right in front of me while I was in one of our Formula Fords.  When the officials determined what happened and who should be penalized, their interpretation seemed different than what I saw.  If I had been recording with the Motorsports Hero at the time, I could have shown them exactly what happened.  Documentation of such events like passes under yellow and other such infractions could be quite important to your finishing position and sometimes beneficial to your fellow racers. 

Exposure.  Additionally, your races and on track sessions can be posted on your blogs or websites.  Show it to that prospective sponsor and give him the feeling of being an insider.  Put him in the seat with you and close that deal!

Troubleshoot suspension problems.  Occasionally we have used a camera to focus on some suspension component we suspected to have a problem.  It's amazing what shocks, uprights, A-arms and pushrods go through on the track.  This is a good way to discover what's really going on.

Improve your driving or car setup.  When you are really serious about your driving and car setup, video is invaluable.  No one has a memory good enough to remember everything that happened in a practice or qualifying session.  Use video to diagnose improper line or early braking.  Or use video to remind you of what the car did on the track as you take notes.  Then you have good, precise information to tell your engineer (that could be you!) as you decide what changes to make to the car for the next session or the race.  This is absolutely the best way to improve your results in setting up your car.




New!    The Motorsports Hero Wide