Please read below an article from eKartingNews.com. Interesting to note that this subject and the idea that people would be less likely to play up in a kart if they knew there was video evidence, came up in the discussion on transponders being compulsory.
September 02, 2009
On-Board Cameras on All Karts at the CIK-FIA Karting World Cup
The CIK-FIA will innovate regarding the control of its competitions and the service offered to drivers at the next World Cups of the KF3 (Juniors) and KZ1 categories, to be held on 5 and 6 September at Sarno, near Naples (Italy).
On this occasion, the CIK-FIA will have all the karts equipped with on-board cameras. The first goal of the operation is to improve drivers’ discipline on the track, as well as safety and, if need be, to multiply the means of control and study of the events for the race officials.
“Karting must be exemplary as regards education,” explains Luigi Macaluso, President of the CIK-FIA. “The international federation therefore naturally seeks to incite the participants to have the most sporting behaviour possible. Leaning on an opponent or even pushing him so as to overtake are methods which motor sport must reprove. As a matter of fact, there are disciplines, in particular single-seaters, where contacts, be they deliberate or not, are out of the question because a driver who is too bold or ill-intentioned risks retiring on the spot or having a mechanical failure. Since many young kartmen aspire to switch over to single-seaters, allowing in Karting what is forbidden in single-seaters would be both inconceivable and counterproductive.”
This recourse to on-board cameras by the CIK-FIA will be a big world first for Karting. Such experimentation is primarily a preventive action by dissuasion. More than just a control tool for the use of race officials, these cameras should represent a means of “self control” for the drivers: they will henceforth be aware that all their manœuvres may be studied. Sportsmanship, fair-play, the respect of opponents and the quality of racing: as a result, all these values will naturally be promoted, enhanced and guaranteed.
“The use of on-board cameras is not only aimed at controlling races and drivers, adds the President of the CIK-FIA. These cameras will also be valuable conveyors of communication – the race will be seen from within the close-fought fields of Karting – and they will be able to demonstrate to what extent our sport is a spectacular action-generating discipline. Furthermore, they will be an excellent education tool: after the events, the CIK-FIA will make available for interested drivers all the pictures of their performances, which will enable them to study their race with their team and relive its highlights with the people around them.”
At Sarno, the karts will be equipped with Motorsport Hero Wide miniature cameras manufactured by GoPro. Measuring 6x4x3 cm, the cameras weigh hardly 150 grams.
http://www.ekartingnews.com/news_info.php?n=13268&sid=877345ed1...
September 02, 2009
On-Board Cameras on All Karts at the CIK-FIA Karting World Cup
The CIK-FIA will innovate regarding the control of its competitions and the service offered to drivers at the next World Cups of the KF3 (Juniors) and KZ1 categories, to be held on 5 and 6 September at Sarno, near Naples (Italy).
On this occasion, the CIK-FIA will have all the karts equipped with on-board cameras. The first goal of the operation is to improve drivers’ discipline on the track, as well as safety and, if need be, to multiply the means of control and study of the events for the race officials.
“Karting must be exemplary as regards education,” explains Luigi Macaluso, President of the CIK-FIA. “The international federation therefore naturally seeks to incite the participants to have the most sporting behaviour possible. Leaning on an opponent or even pushing him so as to overtake are methods which motor sport must reprove. As a matter of fact, there are disciplines, in particular single-seaters, where contacts, be they deliberate or not, are out of the question because a driver who is too bold or ill-intentioned risks retiring on the spot or having a mechanical failure. Since many young kartmen aspire to switch over to single-seaters, allowing in Karting what is forbidden in single-seaters would be both inconceivable and counterproductive.”
This recourse to on-board cameras by the CIK-FIA will be a big world first for Karting. Such experimentation is primarily a preventive action by dissuasion. More than just a control tool for the use of race officials, these cameras should represent a means of “self control” for the drivers: they will henceforth be aware that all their manœuvres may be studied. Sportsmanship, fair-play, the respect of opponents and the quality of racing: as a result, all these values will naturally be promoted, enhanced and guaranteed.
“The use of on-board cameras is not only aimed at controlling races and drivers, adds the President of the CIK-FIA. These cameras will also be valuable conveyors of communication – the race will be seen from within the close-fought fields of Karting – and they will be able to demonstrate to what extent our sport is a spectacular action-generating discipline. Furthermore, they will be an excellent education tool: after the events, the CIK-FIA will make available for interested drivers all the pictures of their performances, which will enable them to study their race with their team and relive its highlights with the people around them.”
At Sarno, the karts will be equipped with Motorsport Hero Wide miniature cameras manufactured by GoPro. Measuring 6x4x3 cm, the cameras weigh hardly 150 grams.
http://www.ekartingnews.com/news_info.php?n=13268&sid=877345ed1...
Views: 645
Comments12
Going backwards?
Short of running lawnmowers instead of J's, I didn't think we could go back much further.
I am in the midst of moving house and came across a lost DVD of 2006 Pucka Junior Sprint produced by Cal Sanderson. .When I find someone smart enough to either U-tube it or put some sort of link so that other people can enjoy it, I will. In the meantime I will have to explain that it has some of the best on board footage that I have ever seen for entertainment, training as welll as from a "Stewarding" perspective. Why our controllng body has decide to forbid the use of om board cameras is beyond me!
Maybe I got it wrong.....I thought cameras are allowed, subject to approval of the state body....that's not a ban.
I don't know what was behind the decision, but perhaps people were strapping large cameras to their karts, and the AKA have said "we need to control this".
Dale, did you not run a camera at the states, after the NKC decision, and was that because the AKAQ approved it to the officials of the meeting...?????
Not saying they should be compulsory, but we should be allowed to have a choice.
Cameras can be used for training. They can be used for evidence in a stewards hearing MAYBE (note the big maybe) reducing hearings.
Transponders can let you know if your as fast as someone else (face it if you can see your not as fast on the track your not). Maybe they will cut out 1 lap scorer or add a computer person if you already only have 1 lap scorer. But the transponder thread is another one this one is on cameras.
Damian Cane said:What so you need a camera on a Kart to determine if Biff and barge is happening? and if it is who is at fault?? You cant see it from standing next to the track??
I have never ever been an advocate of the AKA but on this one I agree with them. If that's the best reason you can come up with to get cameras on karts, then they are not needed.
Karts do not need cameras on them for safety, they haven't had them for 40 odd years, and they were able to race with out biff and barge, if there was it easy enough to see who is doing it.
The only justification I can see for cameras, they should be should be placed around the circuit with a direct feed to race control, and not on the kart.
Added to that, the out cry at having to spend $400 odd on a transponder, now you want to add another $400 odd for a camera?
OH yeh Brett lets get it right shall we, Lawn mower as opposed to a pump motor!
John,
Yes we did John (thanks to you and Gavin) Cameras are allowed for promotional purposes only, not allowed on practice days or race meetings apart from that. We were using it for the dvd of the Qld States being made. Only after watching this did we see what a training tool these could be used for.
John Lane said:Maybe I got it wrong.....I thought cameras are allowed, subject to approval of the state body....that's not a ban. I don't know what was behind the decision, but perhaps people were strapping large cameras to their karts, and the AKA have said "we need to control this".
Dale, did you not run a camera at the states, after the NKC decision, and was that because the AKAQ approved it to the officials of the meeting...?????
So you need a letter approving use at any time for "possible" promotional purposes????
have a chill pill Tim ;-)
got outa the wrong bed this morning;-) lol
its a free country and kartbook is NOT a AKA only site.
don't start this track safety thing, as you know a club in your area is about to undertake a radical step that has YOU worried... and its diverting the thread topic. ;-)
Tim O'Reilly said:Damien,
Keeping in mind that your profile says you are the "owner and operator" of Formula4stroke karts in Qld and as far as i can tell have little experience with the AKA can i just point out a couple of things.
Where did the $400 figure come from? It's closer to $230 or $280 with charger.
As Dale said, one will be compulsory, the other was until recently an option.
You're experience on managing races seems to be with 3 or 4 karts at a time (i actually watched the video you posted). Have a look at some of the AKA races posted in the Video section. I've put some JNL from Cooloola and Coffs Harbour for example, and these are just club days. Titles you will have the track capacity of 40 or so and it is not physically possible to watch the whole field, so it tends to be just the lead few that are scrutinised. It's just mum and dad that see their driver get punted off from 18th place.
And like i've pointed out on your race video, maybe spend some time looking at track safety in your own backyard, before you spruke off about other well established karting organisations. Don't get me wrong, you are entitled to your opinion and welcome to comment, but mate you have a say on friken everything. Even things that don't effect you and that you obviously know very little about.
Mate, i have serious concerns about the track safety at lakeside. Apart from the witches hats and kart tyres marking the track and the pits essentially being open to the run off area coming off the hill, there is an unprotected power pole just after turn 4. WTF?????
And you can sit back and pass judgement on the AKA (the karters are the aka by the way)?
This actually does affect all of us. If someone gets seriously hurt at your venue, then in the medias and general publics eye it will be a "go-kart" accident. They won't care nor mention nor understand that it was FFS not AKA.
That's my two bobs worth, maybe i'm not a morning person. lol
Tim.
Damian Cane said:What so you need a camera on a Kart to determine if Biff and barge is happening? and if it is who is at fault??You cant see it from standing next to the track??I have never ever been an advocate of the AKA but on this one I agree with them. If that's the best reason you can come up with to get cameras on karts, then they are not needed.Karts do not need cameras on them for safety, they haven't had them for 40 odd years, and they were able to race with out biff and barge, if there was it easy enough to see who is doing it.The only justification I can see for cameras, they should be should be placed around the circuit with a direct feed to race control, and not on the kart.Added to that, the out cry at having to spend $400 odd on a transponder, now you want to add another $400 odd for a camera?OH yeh Brett lets get it right shall we, Lawn mower as opposed to a pump motor!
I believe its a knee jerk reaction to a situation they didn't see coming and believed they had to act NOW!!!
NOTHING is unchangeable, the AKA have in the past made snap decisions that were later overturned, eg the B grade licence only for 125s etc, so this can ALSO be overturned.
It will just need a proper motion constructed, detailing the benefits of cameras, their uses, and propose a set oF rules regarding placement securing and sizes etc.
Obviously there seems to be a safety concern that some we insecurely attaching inappropriate cameras to karts that posed a safety risk [ strapping a cam corder to your helmet etc] address the safety risk and you have a chance.
make them OPTIONAL!!!! not MANDATORY. let the karter purchase if they wish, we see alfanos and microns everywhere they are not mandatory but have a use, if cameras are seen to have some benefit karters will purchase, f not they wont. If they become mandatory imagine the new guy has to buy a licence, club membership, transponder, camera could be thousand dollars !!!! 1/3 THE COST OF HIS KART???
I agree they have benfits to both the karter, via teaching him better lines etc which in turn better driving, and the sport via better driver behaviour, karters will be LESS likely to do a deliberate action knowing the guy behind has a camera watching you?? it MAY make stewards decisions a little more easier to make no more "I can't remember exactly what happened" etc.
NOTHING is set in concrete, cameras CAN be reinstated YOU the karter will have to start the ball rolling.
Check out these two CIK videos, especially #2. They are slow to load.
http://www.cikfia.com/News2009/sarno/video_1.html
http://www.cikfia.com/News2009/sarno/video_2.html
That would be terribly expensive to set up and just as expensive to train people to run such a system. If people want to run cameras on their karts they should be allowed to. I don't see how it can be any more dangerous than lead. If it was a safety issue the option would/should not be available to apply to use one for 'promotional' use.
Damian Cane said:if you believe there is a need for cameras then put them around the track, linked and recorded to the race marshals area. Wouldn't that be a far better option? that way they aren't damaged in an accident! Any issue can be delt with there and then instead of waiting till way after the event when the kart come back in. Beside mounted right they will have far better views of the track than a camera 6 inches of the ground pointed in only one direction
Wally Edwards said:When I find someone smart enough to either U-tube it or put some sort of link so that other people can enjoy it, I will.
Wally, I can do that for ya! I'll be in Melbs for the Horsepower Heaven event at the end of next month - can grab it off ya then if you haven't already found someone else to do it ;)
Might just have to make sure we're not breaking any copyright laws though!
Anyway - back to onboard cameras - In another thread, I said that I'd heard the reason behind the onboard camera ban was because someone had strapped a "camcorder" (one of those dinosaur camera's that still records to tape O_o) to their leg, which then came sailing through the air when the twit had an accident. Now, this wasn't from an official source (but then, when is it ever?) but that'd certainly be a safety issue that we could do without. Then again, if that is the reason for the ban - why wasn't it ever communicated? All we heard was "they're banned".
My problem with the whole thing is the blanket ban. It's completely unneccesary & stinks of a knee-jerk reaction... Which from the goings-on over in Europe, I hope will be reversed, pronto.
Before using my camera for racing (coincidentally - a GoPro ms hero as well.... so from reading the ekarting news article, it's CIK-FIA approved! many many chuckles ensued, I can assure you....) I asked the stewards of the meeting if I could use an onboard camera (mounted onto the nassau panel, just below my number) when I passed through scruitineering - they asked me to show them how it would be attached, so I went back to my pit, put it on & then went back to the scruitineers to show them. Their response was - provided I put a some tape all over the base where the actual camera attaches to the kart - they had no problem whatsoever with me using it & were actually keen (as was most others who saw it on) to see the footage after the meet.
In my opinion, that all sounds perfectly reasonable. Going through the process I did, I would've been entirely happy (that isn't completely true - I would've been annoyed, but I would've accepted their decision!) if they said I couldn't use it.
I'm still not convinced an onboard camera is a massive help for driver training, but I'm all for people using technology in any way they see fit. After all, it is their kart & their money etc etc.
On the flip side, I would not want camera's to be homologated & made compulsory. That'd just be overkill & as everyone has said, yet another unneccessary cost to the karter, which doesn't add much value.
rant over.. for now!
The most concerning thing about this issue was simply that an item, which has no impact on kart performance, appeared to be banned without any explanation, discussion or consultation. Unplanned commercial losses ensue for people involved in camera development...
Personally I wouldn't like to see them mandated but I would have preferred to have seen a call for a range of guidelines for acceptable usage to be phased in thus eventually nullifying the outright ban. This may be planned, what was upsetting was that there was absolutely no communication of reason or intent after the ban was published.
I have seen some scary mounting locations & techniques to date and I would consequently fully support some form of handbook based guidance on acceptable mounting techniques and locations.
As I and others have stated previously the lead mounting issue is, in my opinion, still far more potentially dangerous, particularly with the introduction of the "Pro' classes where people are having to bolt slabs of lead on all over the place..
Cheers
Don