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We decided that hand held, as humourous as it is, is not the way to go. So I went to Peace camera, talked to Geof and got this.

These are two mounts by Manfrotto. On the right is a bar mount. It will handle 15 kilos and will clamp around 2.5 inches. Left is the camera mount. It has a ball swivel and quick release camera pad. The two quick lock to each other and the cost was about $100

Now I need something to mount to. No cage and the stress bar is to low and to far back. I decide to make a crossbar that will mount to the sills behind the seats:

That was the start, just bending the two mounts to fit the sills that turned out like this:


Test fit:


Completed:

This required getting the tube just the right length. A slip fit would have been easier(and way faster) but I only had one size of tubing. This took about an hour and a half. Cost was less than $6

In place with a camera:

It still needs to be bolted in and I want to add some tabs for strapping the camera down.

_________________
RedLanternRacing, builders of the fastest cars in last place.
Success is not an option.
1981 Scirocco, "Vera"

I can't wait to get some video from this setup It's got to be better than me holding in to the camera as we go bouncing along...

Something I've always done for any camera I've mounted is find a way to support it on the sides. I'd think with the set up in the picture the camera will be moving side to side since its sitting so high. You might want to run some braces up from the main bar to the sides and cradle it. Or find a way to lower the camera.

I can't tell the diameter of the bar but I'd think about bolting a flat plate to it and mounting the camera directly to that. If its not high enough space up the flat plate. that would be more stable then the set up you have in the picture.

Good luck

Ron

The camera mount is a ball pivot. I can rotate the clamp part around 90 and then rotate the ball clamp to get the camera back in position. I am also going to put some tabs on either side so I can bunji the camera and take some of the side load out. I may also have to use a memory card camera rather than a tape camera because the car is pretty harsh. Maybe stick some damping material in there somewhere. Testing it out on Thursday.

_________________
RedLanternRacing, builders of the fastest cars in last place.
Success is not an option.
1981 Scirocco, "Vera"

Chuck here is what I would do.

If bar is at least 1 3/4" diameter leave as is. If not weld some of that size to it spaced as below (if you need some I have some from an old roll cage)

Here's how I would build the platform.

Plan on having two supports clamped onto the bar using muffler clamps (thus the need for the 1 3/4" diameter).

For the supports clamped onto the pipe I'd use whatever is easy: 2x4 wood, or something like that (not needed if bar is high enough already)

If needed separate the two supports buy say, 6 or 8".

Across the supports attach a piece of 1/2 plywood, steel or AL plate.

Drill a hole through it to attach the camera to the plate. A standard 1/4 bolt will thread right into the camera where you have the mount now.

Along each side of the camera position 2 short pieces of angle iron. the camera will sit in between these. Slot their mounting holes so they can slide up against the sides of the camera.

For vibe damping I use pieces of old school mouse pads (the thicker rubbery types). Cut one for between the camera and plate. Two more if wanted on the sides of the angle iron that contact the sides of the camera.

With a mount like this you will have crystal clear video with little or no shaking. Easier to put together then writing how to do it. If you want to see one like this come by my car at VIR (Yellow CRX si #3).

Ron

Chuck does your camcorder have video INPUT? If so my setup would work well for you. I have a Sony 8mm camcorder for the recording and a bullet cam for the actual images.

I have a suction cup mount for the bullet cam and it's VERY stable. Tested it at Rockingham, VIR, and on Randy Melton's Mustang. I use this for outside mounting of the bullet cam.

I recently made an inside mount for the roll bar from PVC and tested it this weekend. It was very stable as well and was about $5.

Of course for Rally-X the definition of "stable" may be quite different.

_________________
Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

I tried it out today. On pavement it is dead smooth Slamming the doors make the camera glitch, so I still need to test it on something rougher than the driveway.

_________________
RedLanternRacing, builders of the fastest cars in last place.
Success is not an option.
1981 Scirocco, "Vera"

Think about the G forces you will feel driving on track. That's what you need to work to neutralize.

Good luck

R