Our own innovative Video Camera Mount quickly won nation-wide acclaim. Use this mount to improve driving skill and strategy, time sections of track, view your race with family and friends, and document rule infractions. This sturdy mount features a special polyurethane bushing to help eliminate the high-frequency vibrations found in the race environment. Our camera mount is now made with an aluminum mounting base and brackets for lighter weight.
The camera mount is offered in two sizes: 1" for our Stable Energies harness guide bars, and 1¼" to 2" for roll bars and cages. No drilling or welding required, the mount clamps onto your bar with the provided hardware. It has complete 3-axis adjustment that allows you to aim the camera precisely, regardless of position on the roll cage.
For a sample video taken with our camera mount, please scroll to the end of the page: Sample video courtesy of Dan Gardner.
Our mount comes with instructions, tips on achieving a good video, and a 1" wide Security Strap for added safety and to further dampen vibrations. The mount, installed with the security strap according to instructions, has met the approval of most sanctioning bodies for wheel-to-wheel racing.
Tips on Achieving a Good Video
Vibrations
In most cases, the camera and mount assembly can be secured to the roll bar, and you can immediately begin shooting acceptable video. In a small number of cases, the first arrangement does not work and you will need to do some experimentation.
Any mass has a frequency range within which vibrations are amplified. We have learned to use certain rubber or plastic mounting devices to control these vibrations, such as today's engine mounts. Race cars replace stock engine mounts with solid mounts for better power transmission, but this lets the engine vibrations continue into the car's chassis. Any car, engine and camera will have a different frequency at which vibration becomes a problem. Since our mount is universal it may not control your particular setup.
The problem these vibrations cause is not in the lens of the camera, but mainly in the tape transport system. If we could transmit our video to record the image outside of the car, as ESPN does, then we would minimize the vibration problems.
Controlling Vibrations
To best control these vibrations, first, make sure that the camera is set on a high shutter speed, manual focus (at or near infinity), and wide angle lens. If a vibration problem exists, try moving the mount a small distance away from it's current location. Adding a thin piece of rubber (such as a piece of inner tube) between the clamping assembly and the roll bar might help. Some cameras have a tendency to rock at the mounting base (bottom of camera). This is an area that may need to be shimmed.
In open cockpit cars, the camera and mount should be protected from the wind and debris by a clear plastic shield. This shield must be independent of the camera and mount.
Some cameras have a vibration-dampening feature called Image Stabilization. Some drivers have reported that they had to shut this feature off to achieve better video. Some drivers report that this feature must be turned on for the best video. We suggest that you try both ways.
Some cameras are made to shut off automatically if there is too much vibration. If your camera is of this type and the situation proves unworkable, there is nothing that can be done. That particular camera cannot be used. Try renting the model camera that you are interested in before purchasing to assure that it will hold up under the rigorous abuse of the race car environment.
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