DL1 data logger (again)
Discussion
A bit concerned about the letter we all received via email today regarding problems that are occurring with the DL1 unit.
It seems a number of teams have had no data recorded on their data cards at the end of a run. In some cases it`s a damaged GPS antenna lead, in our case we had a loose connection somewhere, certainly removing then replacing the connector cured the fault according to the scrutineers and hopefully we`re all good now.
I would be devastated if teams were penalised for blank data cards at the end of their race. In our case all we can do is put the supplied card in the slot and let the box do all the rest, we view it as a sealed box provided by the scrutineers in the same way a tacograph sits in a truck. If we "forget" to put a card in the slot that`s one thing but to be penalised for problems out of your control is different.
Our unit came with no instructions, no connection leads and judgng by the content of the letter we`ll all be needing I.T. experts if we are to deal with fat or fat16 formatting which includes a setup bin (or something similar). Then there was some stuff about null modem cables, v7 analysis and it all went south from there. Apparently certain lights flash and illuminate if all is well (our box sits about a foot behind the driver with the lights to the rear) so if you see someone weaving around a bit down the Kemel straight it`ll just be me trying to stretch round to compare the lights to my photocopied user manual
I notice the letter said "non compliance notes" will be issued. Not sure what that means.
Hmmm.......
Henry
It seems a number of teams have had no data recorded on their data cards at the end of a run. In some cases it`s a damaged GPS antenna lead, in our case we had a loose connection somewhere, certainly removing then replacing the connector cured the fault according to the scrutineers and hopefully we`re all good now.
I would be devastated if teams were penalised for blank data cards at the end of their race. In our case all we can do is put the supplied card in the slot and let the box do all the rest, we view it as a sealed box provided by the scrutineers in the same way a tacograph sits in a truck. If we "forget" to put a card in the slot that`s one thing but to be penalised for problems out of your control is different.
Our unit came with no instructions, no connection leads and judgng by the content of the letter we`ll all be needing I.T. experts if we are to deal with fat or fat16 formatting which includes a setup bin (or something similar). Then there was some stuff about null modem cables, v7 analysis and it all went south from there. Apparently certain lights flash and illuminate if all is well (our box sits about a foot behind the driver with the lights to the rear) so if you see someone weaving around a bit down the Kemel straight it`ll just be me trying to stretch round to compare the lights to my photocopied user manual
I notice the letter said "non compliance notes" will be issued. Not sure what that means.
Hmmm.......
Henry
Henry, agree with what you say on the penalty front, it is in essence a sealed unit, if we forget to put the card in, or for that matter, forget to test the unit to make sure it is working and sign off a self regulating confirmation of that check, or if necessary, get someone independent to witness the check, then the buck should stop with the team/driver and a penalty, if merited, be accepted. But if the bloody thing stops working, or develops a fault or has any malfunction outside of our "reasonable" control then I will not accept a penalty, and if my appeal was ignored, I would, as they say, "Walk" the "walk"
Just to be on the safe side, I'll check yours and you can check ours, then we are both covered in the event of a problem
Just to be on the safe side, I'll check yours and you can check ours, then we are both covered in the event of a problem
Racing Rod said:
Just to be on the safe side, I'll check yours and you can check ours, then we are both covered in the event of a problem
Sounds a bit like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles offering to give each other directions to the shops...As an aside, Rod, we won't make it to Spa now.... gearbox not left Oz, new fuel cell had to go back for rework, exhaust manifolds don't fit, wiring going through second iteration (although now looking good): no way we can get it all bolted together, mapped and tested before Spa. Have a good one though, gutted we won't be there....
teamHOLDENracing said:
Racing Rod said:
Just to be on the safe side, I'll check yours and you can check ours, then we are both covered in the event of a problem
Sounds a bit like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles offering to give each other directions to the shops...As an aside, Rod, we won't make it to Spa now.... gearbox not left Oz, new fuel cell had to go back for rework, exhaust manifolds don't fit, wiring going through second iteration (although now looking good): no way we can get it all bolted together, mapped and tested before Spa. Have a good one though, gutted we won't be there....
That's a shame about Spa mate, I'd booked all the best restaurants and given them your credit card details so you could treat all us senior, and lets face it, superior drivers to a few slap up's, never mind, next time eh!!
Will that sodding TVR ever see the light of day !!
The team that prep our car, Neil garner performance engineering, have just had an existing Britcar competitor with a 996 swap across to them, just found out about it today, he can't do Spa as he needs another driver, and time is now a touch short, so he could do with a driver for the next few races and I'm sure he will do a fair deal, call me if you fancy showing us old buggers how it's supposed to be done
Say hi to Y will you, with a x or two, and wish A all the best for her exams, Diane told me to type that, just in case you though I was going soft
Racing Rod said:
Hey, whipersnapper, we may well be a bit short sighted, well, Jan and I in any event, Henry on the other hand is a youngster and I gather he is still capable of spotting a good trade price porker from 100 miles away, Ray Charles indeed, bloody cheek, anyway I've got EX RAY Bans !!
....so are you trading in the ageing Pork? What's Henry got for you; have Stannah Stairlifts branched out into vehicles for gentlemen of a certain age?Racing Rod said:
Will that sodding TVR ever see the light of day !!
Rod, you know you can't rush a masterpiece. Gearbox has now left Oz, wiring and electronics all done so won't be long now - we just couldn't test before Spa.You'll be pleased to hear the new wiring includes a widget that flashes the lights when we come up on back markers - should help you spot me or Dowling as we lap you without putting undue strain on your eyes
This was the car on Saturday, being used by our lubricant sponsor for promo purposes.
Racing Rod said:
Say hi to Y will you, with a x or two, and wish A all the best for her exams, Diane told me to type that, just in case you though I was going soft
I just have, but the pair of them are a little distracted by the Chelsea match right now....The TVR challenge boys seem to be getting on ok with the dl1's they use, and you know what TVR's are like with anything electronic (or mechanical ) So im sure you guys further up the food chain can handle them 
Although they do have a chap helping all the teams sort problems out, and even sort coast downs and weights... My Dl1'a not had a problem and its about 4 years old now..
Andy There is a rumor my car might even have a gearbox soon, although its only comming from leicestershire and this time im assured it will last more than 20 miles !!! Just a pity everything else in my life has gone to rat s
t and put a downer on the racing
G
) So im sure you guys further up the food chain can handle them Although they do have a chap helping all the teams sort problems out, and even sort coast downs and weights... My Dl1'a not had a problem and its about 4 years old now..
Andy There is a rumor my car might even have a gearbox soon, although its only comming from leicestershire and this time im assured it will last more than 20 miles !!! Just a pity everything else in my life has gone to rat s
t and put a downer on the racingG
What I can't understand is that the team is expected to put the card in and ensure it's working.
As this is a device used to police the rules, it should be handled by the scrutineer, or by a representative of the EERC.
Leaving it to the teams is a recipe for disaster, there are people who may understand cars, but have no concept of IT equipment (or radio's for that matter!), and there are those who know toooooo much and might be tempted to have a little tweak-ette......
As for the GPS aerials - Mr Kipling's apple, or indeed minced pies make the best anti-GPS device known to man.
From what I've seen, the choice of GPS aerials isn't the best. That looks like the same unit I have on Mrs Thunderbelmont's Zafira for her SatNav, or should I say the third one so far (they don't seem to like the weather much!).
I would have recommended a quality panel mount GPS aerial myself.
Rob.
As this is a device used to police the rules, it should be handled by the scrutineer, or by a representative of the EERC.
Leaving it to the teams is a recipe for disaster, there are people who may understand cars, but have no concept of IT equipment (or radio's for that matter!), and there are those who know toooooo much and might be tempted to have a little tweak-ette......
As for the GPS aerials - Mr Kipling's apple, or indeed minced pies make the best anti-GPS device known to man.
From what I've seen, the choice of GPS aerials isn't the best. That looks like the same unit I have on Mrs Thunderbelmont's Zafira for her SatNav, or should I say the third one so far (they don't seem to like the weather much!).
I would have recommended a quality panel mount GPS aerial myself.
Rob.
My my, didn`t I just hit the nail on the head
Luckily we had provision in place for just such a problem and as a team I`m happy we wouldn`t have had our qualifying times deleted in the event that our data card was blank.
Providing teams can prove they have checked their cards and found them working during the weekend or on their previous run then it is my understanding that teams will not be penalised providing they checked the static lights on the logger in the pits. Obviously this is only my understanding but it certainly would seem common sense.
Henry
Luckily we had provision in place for just such a problem and as a team I`m happy we wouldn`t have had our qualifying times deleted in the event that our data card was blank.
Providing teams can prove they have checked their cards and found them working during the weekend or on their previous run then it is my understanding that teams will not be penalised providing they checked the static lights on the logger in the pits. Obviously this is only my understanding but it certainly would seem common sense.
Henry
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