Sorting out a chassis can be tough work—even on a good day. Gathering more information on what’s going on and how it is working makes a substantial contribution to that end—when done right.
Working through your car’s data to make meaningful changes is hard. Since cameras and data loggers have become more popular and easier to access, we have all become increasingly buried in data. This means there are a ton of things to look at, including a bunch of squiggly line patterns. How do you know what they should look like in the first place?
In this article, we will explain why racecar data analysis is important and how it can help you and your team succeed.
Why Racecar Data Analysis is Important
Why is racecar data analysis important? Two reasons—recognizing patterns and continuous improvement. But let’s dive a little deeper.
Here are the top four ways racecar data analysis can help you:
1. Saves time and helps you understand the real problem.
Many people struggle with data systems and how to interpret the information they record. As a result, they don’t make the correct decisions, frequently missing “the basics”, and end up falling down a rabbit hole. Over time, they build up a database of obscured conclusions, creating a giant misunderstanding as to why the car never really ends up great.
After all, you want to be able to rely on clear, quality data to isolate and quantify issues. If you don’t, you’ll end up wasting a ton of time figuring out how to solve the problem without fully understanding what the problem actually is. Data analysis helps you get through the troubleshooting process faster.
For example, rather than looking for new brakes, new shocks, or the latest and greatest high-end solutions, and expect them to lead you to victory, racecar data analysis can help you to figure out how to maximize what you have, giving you a clear path to fully using those new expensive adjustables.
2. Pinpoint patterns.
Racecar data analysis allows you to accurately quantify what you have. This can be understanding key interdependent relationships, such as the amount of understeer and rear spring rate, and then modeling them. As you move through the models, you can pinpoint specific patterns related to handling and performance based on specific conditions.
3. Successive Improvements
Without getting results from data, you might be able to figure out what’s going on, and determine what you need to do to improve. The majority of your time and effort will be spent on experimentation and trial and error, which takes time (and plenty of money)—sometimes over the course of several years (or even longer).
With accurate data and quantifying that data, you gain insights. A good change is made with an underlying understanding. This allows another one to follow and balance. Imagine spending most of your time going out and getting better. With the right insights, you can pinpoint patterns, and then make adjustments that lead to improved performance—and in a short period of time.
The ones that do this get ahead and stay ahead.
4. Get better results on track.
With data, you can make more intelligent decisions and changes, as well as get ahead of the game in terms of making adjustments based on track conditions, weather conditions, and more, positioning you and your team to succeed. And as you succeed, you have time to build on it. You come off the truck better, you get better at doing different things.
All in all, the biggest takeaway is that analysis reduces the time wasted guessing, allowing you to spend more time improving your driving.
Why 057 Motorsports Started Doing It
At 057 Motorsports, we make racecar data analysis simple. We began offering data analysis because we have a great deal of experience doing it, we got really good at doing it efficiently, and we saw the need to alleviate many frustrations related to improving cars.
Our real value is we know how to connect the dots. Regardless of what is being measured (not everything has to have shock pots), we are able to understand what is happening under certain conditions, such as accelerating, braking, switching gears, and so on. From there, we drill into those connections and isolate the data and factors that aren’t as meaningful. It is easier to do this wrong than it is to do right consistently.
Here’s what we do to break it down:
- Focus on patterns.
- Remove assumptions.
- Summarize.
- Communicate.
Where to Find Data Analysis
Right here. At 057 Motorsports, we offer several different data analysis or Racecar Setup Support packages, all designed with the customer in mind. Our analysis helps you get started off on the “right track”.
Take a look at our options, or give us a call today to help you determine which choices are right for you.