Racetrack Video Production 101

Last weekend I learned that producing high-quality in-car video, on a racetrack, is harder than it looks – but as you can see above from inside my car in Turn 3 at Sonoma Raceway, it certainly is a lot of fun.

While testing the new brakes on my Subaru BRZ, I’ve been installing a series of GoPro Hero2 HD cameras and wiring up the car for sound.  On Sunday I set up cameras with five different perspectives around the car, which starts to become logistically challenging - managing batteries, SD cards, and turning them on and off after each run.

More importantly, I’ve started testing sound.  The biggest technical challenge is how to capture high-fidelity dialogue between driver and passenger while driving with both windows down (required for safety in case you roll the car) at speeds up to 130 miles per hour.

This is turning out to be the trickiest part.  Wind noise plays a major role at high speeds with the windows down - and trackside isn’t the easiest place to diagnose problems.  Earlier today I found a small shop in San Francisco that specializes in wiring up racing helmets for sound.  I’m planning to install high-quality audio equipment in those goofy open-face helmets you see in the picture above.