Q&A

 

 

 

What will data acquisition do for me?

It provides you with information to go faster.  Both the driver as well as the race car or kart can be improved.  Knowledge does equal speed, and data acquisition is the tool to gain that knowledge.

I have no experience with data acquisition, how hard is it to learn?

The perception that data acquisition is hard to learn stems from the fact that most pro teams utilize a team engineer to analyze the data.  The fact is the basic concepts of what the typical racer needs to go faster are easy to learn with a little practice.  The reality is every racer knows what it takes to go faster, data acquisition is the tool that helps you get there. Advantage Motorsports will help you understand these concepts. We provide both video, textbook and seminar training to get you started understanding and using data acquisition.  Our specialty is helping the new user, and with time anyone can accelerate to as advanced of a level as the pros. Our systems allow you to do both.

Do I need to own a laptop?

No.  Remember many of our systems allow you to benefit from data acquisition by displaying your race data on your tachometer, without the need for a computer at all. You may be surprised how much you can tell about the car/kart and driver just by replaying on the tach. For a more detailed analysis of additional channels, graphing, and/or printing capabilities, you can use a laptop or a standard desktop computer. Many of our customers bring an old desktop model to the track and run it off a generator.  You do not have to own the latest computer, our software will run on older computers as well as new.

What if I can't bring a computer to the track?

All of our Data loggers allow you to record multiple sessions before downloading. Most data acquisition systems don't allow you to do this.  This feature is particularly important to those that do not have the time between sessions to download or prefer not to bring a computer to the track.  

Can I move the system from car to car?

Absolutely.  To make things really easy, if you duplicate the MPH sensor and an additional switch harness, you can just unplug the control unit from one car and plug it into the next. You can even attach it with Velcro!

What about tech support AFTER the sale?

We offer tech support for hardware as well as our software. We stand behind every system we sell.  Telephone, e-mail, video, text, seminars, and at-track support. Many Data Acquisition companies are TOO Big to provide a personalized level of service. If you ever try to get personalized service from the phone company or for your home computer you know how frustrating it is. All customers have questions at some point, are goal is to be there to answer them.

Does data acquisition help the beginner or the experienced racer?

It helps both. Since our system is essentially a flight recorder, it is like having someone ride along with the driver as they race, taking notes on every inch of the track - every lap! With the ability to review all the information after the session, the newer driver will shave large amounts of time by learning areas of inconsistency and benefiting from more than just their memory of the run to evaluate their performance. The crew chief will also benefit; helping to verify the drivers complaints about the car and to make more intelligent decisions about the corrections needed. The more advanced racer will use data acquisition to analyze where improvements are needed in both their driving and the racecar. Although less obvious to find, it is usually a combination that evolves into "killer" laps. The time shaved will typically be less than the beginner, but the extra 1/10ths and 1/100ths of a second to stay ahead of the competition are just as important!

I don't have a lot of time at the racetrack. Do I need  20 channels of
information to benefit from data acquisition?

No. Although this is a very a common misconception. See the article about Understanding Data Acquisition.

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