This paper reports the results of a study to determine the benefits of utilizing high-speed digital cameras and motion analysis equipment for the purpose of data acquisition on racing vehicles.
Having the ability to view the actual race vehicle in its transient or dynamic state, allows the race engineer to better relate and correlate with on-board data acquisition systems (DAS) and ultimately optimize the set-up of the racecar. Furthermore, the sophisticated motion analysis equipment used for this study allows the race engineer to pick points on the digital video and track their relative motions and displacements, thus providing an invaluable measurement tool for evaluating the tire, suspension components, or entire chassis, etc.
This investigation examines the use of digital motion analysis for both drag racing vehicles and Indy cars. These race vehicle applications were chosen due to their accessibility during the production of this report and in no way should be considered the only race applications for this technology. High-speed digital motion analysis can be used for a wide array of race vehicle applications including safety (restraints; attenuators; structure), aerodynamic / wind tunnel testing, vehicle dynamics / poster rig, tire and suspension dynamics, etc.