| Track days are becoming increasingly popular both | | | | give you a life time ban if they catch you trying to |
| for people wanting to experience high speed | | | | sneak a camera onto the track. |
| motoring in top of the range cars or simply for | | | | Choosing a camera |
| others wanting to push their own bikes and cars to | | | | If you are going to be enjoying track days fairly |
| the limit in a 'safe' environment. No extreme motoring | | | | often or if you would also use the camera out on |
| experience would be complete without a DVD to | | | | the road or for various other sports, then it may be |
| demonstrate your Lewis Hamilton-like skills to family | | | | more cost effective to buy your own. A starter |
| and friends. If this is a must-have for you it is worth | | | | camera retails from just £99 and for £299 |
| checking out what is on offer at your track of choice | | | | you’ll be able to get a top spec, HD action cam. |
| before the day itself. Some tracks will allow you to | | | | The most popular cameras and the best for filming |
| take your own on board or helmet camera, others | | | | track days and other motorsports are on board |
| will allow you to film providing you sign a disclaimer | | | | cameras. |
| and some have an absolute ban. There are four | | | | Mounting |
| main scenarios: | | | | There are various ways to mount an action camera |
| Someone at the track may already be on hand to | | | | to optimise results, dependent on both an individual's |
| offer their services to provide you with a camera set | | | | preferences and the specific sport. Within the field |
| up to film your experience. This service generally | | | | of motorsports, correct mounting of the camera is a |
| includes mounting the camera, handling all the filming | | | | vital consideration as track day officials won’t |
| and burning the video to a DVD. You should expect | | | | allow an action camera which isn’t mounted |
| to pay between £25-£35 for this type of | | | | securely. Whilst industrial strength adhesive has been |
| package. | | | | tested at huge speeds, that simply won't cut it with |
| The second and popular option is to take your own | | | | officials. You’ll need to have a purpose built |
| helmet camera with you. Most of the regular tracks | | | | camera mount which either fits around or clamps |
| around the country are perfectly happy for people to | | | | onto your handle bar or forks. Panavise suction |
| use a helmet camera or on-board camera but they | | | | mounts are also acceptable on most tracks which is |
| will check to ensure that the mounting of the camera | | | | good news as the suction mount lets you position |
| is secure. | | | | the action camera on to your helmet, the bikes tank, |
| Thirdly, the higher profile tracks such as Silverstone | | | | the outside or inside of your car or pretty much |
| or Brands Hatch will require you to sign a disclaimer | | | | anywhere else where you can find a smooth surface. |
| promising that the footage is for private use only and | | | | Each track and race day official will have its own |
| won’t be uploaded to the web. At these | | | | views on the best and safest way to use in-car, |
| tracks you’ll also need to have the permission of | | | | on-car, on-board, or helmet mounted action cameras |
| the race officials to take the camera out and again | | | | to film your race day. You can rent them at the |
| they will want to check that it is mounted securely. | | | | track or bring your own, in which case you need to |
| A handful of tracks are completely against having | | | | be sure to have a secure mount so that you’ll |
| any in-car, on-board, or helmet mounted action | | | | be able to take it onto the track to capture your |
| cameras out on their tracks. Unfortunately this | | | | experience. |
| includes the legendary Nürburgring where they will | | | | |