ruby on rails blog

I just finished the AF track day website. In order to keep the transition seamless I had to make sure the old user database was integrated with a new login controller. Registration was simplified, and I added the ability for site owner to update the static content on the site.

Adrenaline Freaks Track Days

I’ve been really busy lately, but I’ve finally been able to put together a brief review of the TraqMate! Recently, I had the chance to log some data during the novice practices this weekend at Pacfic Raceways…if I had to summarize everything into one word: WOW.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so I’ve put together a little video with commentary. A few people were interested in checking out the data from the TraqMate, here is a 20MB screencast from a novice rain race. It’s a .MOV, so I apologize in advance…but I’m a Mac guy, and that’s the way it is
You can see me start off with one set of data, I proceed to add acceleration/braking, G-forces and a segment analysis. The sgment analsis is AWESOME. You can zoom in/out on the track map to view your position, which is helpful when you are comparing more than one rider or multiple sessions against each other. When I am dragging the 90 degree arrow, I am setting up a segment for the death chute and straight as well as one for T3/T4. Who needs split times when you have segment times for any section you desire. Compared to an AMB beacon, lap times are within 1/10th to 1/20th, depending on the GPS signal.

After I set up the segments, I proceed to remove a some data, then add another sesson. I love how I can overlay data and compare specific laps against each other. I REALLY like the segment analysis because it allows me to break down which lap have the best entry/exit speeds, brake time, brake g forces, etc. I need to find a better mounting location for the sensor unit though, it’s kinda zip tied right now.

Finally I turn on the “brake/zone” map, where I can see a visual representation of gas/brake. Some of it is off since it is relying on GPS data and my sensor unit’s mounting tray is slightly off, the data is not 100% accurate. I have yet to hook up the brake and TPS inputs!

Regarding setup, the basic setup is easy, the unit has a few parts:

• 1. power
• 2. sensor unit (contains acceleratometer and brains)
• 3. GPS antenna

You can hardwire or use a battery pack for power, which is simple on a bike. Mount the sensor unit in the tail section. Mount hte GPS antenna for line of sight. Optionally you can mount the display unit which is used to set start/finish line, displays lap times, etc. but is not necessary.

On my bike, I am tapping the RPM, TPS, and brake light for a more in depth look into my riding, but the unit works w/o all these frills! There’s also room for more digital and analog inputs like brake pressure, oil tem, water tmp, etc! ah I am so stoked. Just recently I’ve been told that the new version of the TraqView software is going to be released in a month or two, I’ve also discovered that the TraqMate logs altitude, ambient temperture
If the package looks like something you’d be interested in, and you are local…shoot me an email. I will be renting the unit to local guys with the option to buy their own!

After franticly checking the weather all week the night before our WMRRA weekend Accuweather reported no chance of rain! I arrived at the track early Saturday waiting in line for 20-30 minutes since they weren’t letting us in the track until after 7:00AM. Next time, I’m going to sleep in a little and leave a little later, or maybe camp out the night before.

I spent the the morning getting my bike ready, sorting out my gear, and playing with my new TraqMate (more on this later)! The weather was clear but the track was a little damp, and I was up for my first novice race at 9:00AM. Everything went off without a hitch, I took it easy and came back in one piece. When I came back, I noticed I was a little sore…need to loosen up on the bike still. I proceeded to download data from the TraqMate, my new GPS Data Acquisition unit, after booting up my computer and downloading my lap data I realized I had only recorded my travel through the hot pits…it turns out you need to tape all your connectors so they don’t rattle out
The second session, the track was looking nice, I was able to run a 1:46, my quickest lap this year…only :05 off from the 1:40-41s I was running last year before my crash! My TraqMate was able to record data this time, man this thing is GREAT; look for another blog post on its functionality…coming soon!

Our actual race was in the afternoon with clear weather, after our warmup lap everything felt fine. I went out and had a go at it…maybe it was the nice weather or everybody just got excited, but people were crashing left and right…bikes in T2, T3, T4, T9…there may have been some in T6 too? I believe our last lap was red flagged.

Sunday was interesting, I showed up to find T9, T2, and the area between T3 and T4 covered in oil and transmission fluid…AND we are out on the track at 9:00AM! Sweet! After massive cleaning, the only real nuisance is the oil on the inside race line on T2, but even that wasn’t too bad. I took our first practice easy, and relaxed for the rest of the day. When the afternoon rolled by, it was go time…I gridded up with the other 11tybillion other novices, and we waited for 15-20 mins as they cleared up the accident that occurred the race before us. When the race started, as with most novice races…it started to rain! Luckily it only lasted a little while, and half way through the race the track was dry. A few guys went down, one being my friend Ken, but all were okay. I finished the race, pitted, and enjoyed the rest of my weekend!

Three races down, three more to go!

This weekend (March 31st-April 1st) was the WMRRA season opener! Unfortunately I was unable to make the New Rider’s Clinic/Novice race on Saturday…pretty big bummer especially since the weather was nice! On Sunday, I woke up early and got myself to the track, Mitchell and Arthur had left my trailer overnight so setting up was easy. I spent the morning working on miscellaneous tasks and getting ready for my first Novice practice. During tech I ran into some problems and I ended up having to skip my first practice session
Sometime around noon it started pouring down a mix of rain and hail, just what I was hoping for for my first race! When 1:40PM came by, the weather had calmed down a little. I was SO apprehensive about riding…I almost sat out. My teammates convinced me that if I was smooth and consistent, I would be fine…even on Pirelli DOT races…yikes!

The warm up lap went without a hitch, and then I proceeded to grid up second row, second from the left. Contrary to popular belief, I did not wait for a green light! When the light went off, I took off. Knowing I had cold tires designed for a dry surface, I took it very easy. I don’t recall specifics from the race, as I was concentrating on staying upright. I do remember a bunch of guys passing me in T2 and T3, then promptly crashing in T3/T4. I hope they’re okay, but I’d leave them with this, “You’ve got to finish, to finish.” It’s a novice race guys!

When I saw the checkered flag I felt a huge burden had just been lifted from my shoulders. Coming around to the pit area I saw corner workers cheering and clapping and it was the best feeling in the world. I really believe that riding in the rain has boosted my confidence level, both in my riding ability and in my equipment. My lines were all spot on, and I was smooth with the gas and brakes. I ran tires that were not designed for the rain, and I survived. I really hope the next track day is dry!

One novice race down, five to go. White plates, here I come!

Characteristic of Seattle we were able to experience all four of Seattle’s fine seasons. During tear down the sun came out, and everything looked so perfect. Damn you Seattle!

I was lucky enough to participate in the first trackday of the season today. The one thing about 2-Fast I really like is that allow passing on the inside and outside, even though I was being passed it was nice to get used to being passed. The R6 is a solid bike but I need to spend a lot more time on it to get comfortable.

Coming from the 749S, I was used to a narrow tank, different handling, and a different power band. All of this combined with my big crash last year, metal blocks, and no chance to ride since last June resulted in a lot of roadblocks. My body positioning is nothing compared to what it used to be, I am hesistant with my brake markers, and hesistant with the throttle. On a positive note, my lines are still good! Hopefully I’ll be able to hammer out the body positioning at the 3-30-07 Adrenaline Freaks day.

At an Adrenline Freaks trackday Mitchell and turn 3 get acquainted Watch him race this year with Arthur and me!

You’re looking at the new owner of race number #972! I attended the WMRRA New Rider Clinic this Saturday at RMC. All the talk got me excited for the upcoming season…so what did I do? I signed up for trackday on March 21st! SWEET! I’m excited to get the bike all dialed in and set up before the race weekend on the 31st!