OK, I've had this idea since the middle of last season, but as usual, there's no time to do everything. Anyway, the idea is to make a journal to log information about your bike(s), tracks, and most of the aspects of racing, or in my case track-day riding. I look at it as a way to improve my riding, log my results over time, and help me transition between different tracks. I'm sure a lot of you do this already, but wish you did more or was more organized.
What I had planned on doing was to create a binder of forms that would help track different aspects. But hey, most people will just Xerox it anyway I figured I might as well bring the idea here and together we can refine the ideas and put something together for this season.
If you're interested, I've put up some of my thoughts: http://www.sliderphoto.com/products/journal.asp
Add your ideas here. If we can agree, I'll build some forms.
Jack,
That is a really thorough journal. If anything, it reminds me how complicated our sport is. :o Would you put it in a three ring binder, maybe with the racers picture on the front? How about a section for results? Nice job.
Matt
P.S. finally sent you an order today. Thanks Jack.
Jack, I have set up sheets that have much of what you are listing, all on one sheet (much better if it is one page). Let me know if you would like to see them (I have for carbs and fuel injection). They are excel files. I really don't care if others copy them. I also have a cover sheet that I staple to the sheets at the end of a weekend. I then keep these sorted by tracks in a file folder. Started doing this when I got my TZ.
QuoteJack, I have set up sheets that have much of what you are listing, all on one sheet (much better if it is one page). Let me know if you would like to see them (I have for carbs and fuel injection). They are excel files. I really don't care if others copy them. I also have a cover sheet that I staple to the sheets at the end of a weekend. I then keep these sorted by tracks in a file folder. Started doing this when I got my TZ.
Hey Brian, yeah I remember last year you said you had a lot of information you tracked. I was always hoping to get a peek at them. Please, e-mail them to me.
Thanks!
QuoteJack,
That is a really thorough journal. If anything, it reminds me how complicated our sport is. :o Would you put it in a three ring binder, maybe with the racers picture on the front? How about a section for results? Nice job.
Matt
P.S. finally sent you an order today. Thanks Jack.
Yes, I was thinking three ring binder, but might be nice to have one smaller than 8.5 x 11" but then it becomes non standard. It's probably best to build something people can just print sheets off as they need.
I like the idea of an Excel format... makes building a database much easier.
Brian - care to share?
How about an application that runs on PocketPC that would track all this stuff? Any interest in that?
I emailed Jack a copy of the sheet I use at the track for my RC51 (fuel injected). Can't find a copy of the cover sheet or the set up sheet for the TZ (carberated). I will search on another computer or make up new ones. These sheets are what I have found to be important.
I use my PDA to track expenses. I would rather have set up info on paper, much easier to use, I can set them up side by side and compare what I have tried in the past and lap times that went with the set up. Notes are very important when it comes to jetting and suspension set up.
When it comes to maintenance I have used check off sheets in the past. Some is done by time - every day, every weekend, every 2nd weekend, etc - like fork oil every 4th race weekend. Some is done by miles - replace crank every 1200 miles. So on the cover sheet I track miles and which weekend it is (4th, 5th, etc) and can figure out when it is time to do some work.
QuoteHow about an application that runs on PocketPC that would track all this stuff? Any interest in that?
Yes, there is a lot of things we could do with a computer but I don't think too many people have laptops or pocket PCs at the track. It has crossed my mind though, especially having a laptimer with a USB port. ;D Ah, so many things to do, so little time. :)
I prefer an Excel format myself.
Dawn :)
I uploaded Brian's files to the same journal page. http://www.sliderphoto.com/products/journal.asp
You should be able to download the Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word file from that page. They're exactly the type of forms I was thinking of. It's just a matter of using these, extending them, whatever. But take a look and get an idea of what I'm talking about.
Thanks a lot for sharing Brian!
These are docs that I have used for a handful of years.
I usually have my laptop for my datalogger but I still print these up and use them in a 3 ring binder.
You'll need to do the 'ol right click, save as....
http://fastq.com/~apexbender/EngineDriveSetup.doc
http://fastq.com/~apexbender/SuspensionSetup.doc
thanks for the sheets coeff. My buddy and I are rookie's this year and were looking to keep track of as much setup info as possible. The 3 ring binder is a good idea. We considered bringing a laptop, but as it turns out all our stuff is usually covered in oil and mud after a weekend anyways so it might not last to long ;D
I used a 3-ring binder at the track last year, with the intention of dumping everything into an Excel spreadsheet afterward.
Also got a big box of sheet protectors, to keep things from getting schmutzed.
We are selling a Data Log book that is a little more comprehensive than what is listed so far.
The log has 53 different possible entries for bike/track data Chassis, engine/trans, weather,
rider, ect. each sheet allows for 6 seperate sessions.
Then there is a seperate lap time sheet with 45 laps
in 6 seperate sessions. Each lap sheet is double sided. The log is bound, and is 8.5 x 11 size.
each book will have a total of 40 sheets. Plus, an additional Pre-Race checklist included. This will give you 318 posible pieces of info/data per sheet - 6,360 total. The 20 lap sheets will give you a total of 1,800 laps. Each book will sell for $11.50 A custom cover can be printed with your team/logo for $14.00 S/H included in the 48 states. More info:
http://www.projekt9.superbikeclub.com/catalog.html
I just wrote a little pocketpc app to keep track of lap times if anyone is interested.