Monday 31 August 2009

GO PRO DIGITAL CAMERA FINDING GOOD HOMES IN STOCK HATCH RACE CARS - MORE NEWS ABOUT HD

Have a look at the quality, and all from this little camera. See how it is just stuck to his helmet!

Half Moon Bay, Calif., July 20th, 2009 — GoPro, the world’s leading manufacturer of wearable digital cameras for sports, launches its new HD Helmet HERO camera at the 2009 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. GoPro’s HD Helmet HERO camera marks the industry’s first true high-definition 1080p wearable camera for sports.

The HD Helmet HERO captures professional-grade 1080p, 960p, and 720p HD video at 30 and 60 frames per second (720p). Designed for film and TV professionals and consumer enthusiasts alike, GoPro's HD Helmet HERO camera boasts higher performance than action sports cameras costing ten times as much. The HD Helmet HERO goes on sale this fall, MSRP £299.

"GoPro is very fortunate to be the leader in wearable camera technology," says Nicholas Woodman, GoPro's founder and CEO. "We cannot thank our customers enough. Their incredible support has helped GoPro succeed to where we're able to secure technology partnerships that we could only dream of a year ago.

Our product development is now ferociously paced, and in the HD Helmet HERO you’re seeing the first of many leading-edge products that will establish GoPro as the world’s preeminent manufacturer of convenience-based image capture devices. The HD Helmet HERO allows consumers to capture professional-grade 1080p / 960p / and 720p video and is the size of a matchbox."

On that note, every HD Helmet HERO camera comes standard with an internal RF transceiver that allows consumers to add a wireless stereo microphone and remote, both with a range of 30 feet. The remote control enables users to send a "preview" image wirelessly from the camera to the remote, allowing the user to preview the camera's aim and viewing angle prior to recording.

"Sound is as important as resolution when it comes to capturing your life's most adventurous and exciting moments," says Woodman. "We're obsessed with creating the best products possible for our customers. The RF stereo microphone marries HD sound to GoPro’s professional HD video, creating one of the most convenient and capable image capture devices in the world. And you can wirelessly preview your shot with the RF remote control?! Absurd. I love it."

The HD Helmet HERO also captures 5MP photos in a variety of modes including a "Photo every 2 seconds" mode that allows for creative hands free image capture during even the most intense consumer activities. Mount the camera facing back from the bow of your kayak or nose of your surfboard and be amazed at the in-action photos you'll capture. All the while you are free to simply enjoy your sport while the camera works for you.

With it’s incredible image stability, industry first 1080p / 960p / and 720p video, and hands free automatic capture of 5MP photos, the HD Helmet HERO is a professional-grade wearable HD camera, albeit at a consumer price.

At a remarkable £299 retail price, the matchbox-size camera comes standard with several mounting accessories for attaching it to your helmet, head, and favorite gear. GoPro's HD Helmet HERO adds so much to your enjoyment of your favorite activities. Arriving home to watch your footage is almost as much fun as having experienced it in the first place. Relive Reality™...GoPro.

The HD Helmet HERO features user-friendly default settings that allow even the most techo-phobic consumers to capture and enjoy HD footage with the push of a single shutter button.

For those consumers looking for the latest in technology and options, the HD Helmet HERO offers a wide range of video resolutions and settings to tailor the camera to meet specialized needs. Choose from:

1080p -- "True HD" video at 30 frames per second – to put it in perspective, 1080p 30 frames per second is the equivalent of shooting 30 2-megapixel photos per second. Each video still is a 2-megapixel photo, in essence. A first in wearable camera technology, available only from GoPro.

960p -- "Maximum Wide Angle" video at 30 frames per second – 960p offers 25% more vertical viewing area than other resolutions. This means you can see your knees and skis on the slopes, and your handlebars and bike frame beneath you when charging the singletrack. Yet another first in wearable cameras, only from GoPro.

720p – “Slow-motion Cinema" is possible thanks to the HD Helmet HERO's incredibly smooth 60 frames per second 720p video. Again, a first in wearable camera technology, only from GoPro.

The HD HERO is not simply an upgrade from the original and beloved Helmet HERO. It also branches out with new features no other video camera offers, including rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that feature an industry first internal heating system to keep your battery warm for longer recording times in cold temperatures. Let it snow, let it snow...GoPro.

Other enhancements include louder audible and brighter visual indicators to communicate the camera's operational status. And now you can use up to a 32GB SD card to store over 8 hours of HD video. Want to plug in an external power source to keep your camera going longer than the 2.5 hours provided by the internal battery? No problem, you can do that, too.

Have a creative idea for a video that requires an external wired mic? Not a problem thanks to the external wired-mic jack built into the side of the camera.

Durability and easy of use are GoPro trademarks, so it's no surprise that the GoPro's bombproof mounting hardware and waterproof housings live on with the HD Helmet HERO. The result? One of the most durable pieces of consumer electronics available today.

The HD Helmet HERO comes standard with industry’s widest-angle lens of 170 degrees.

"With so many professional film and TV producers, athletes, and hardcore action sports enthusiasts already using GoPro cameras in their own work and lifestyles, it was inevitable that GoPro would build industry leading technology into our latest camera, the HD Helmet HERO," says Woodman.

"It's exciting that for £299 consumers can buy the same HD camera that brand giants like Red Bull, BFGoodrich, Specialized, and many production companies use for their action sports filming...the HD HERO line from GoPro. We're energized about how powerful this new camera has proven and we know our fans are going to lose their minds."

Outdoor Retailer participants can expect the usual excitement around GoPro’s exhibit (booth # 38131), including their always-popular camera and beer giveaways everyday at 3pm. This year, however, marks a major milestone for both GoPro with the industry’s first professional-grade wearable HD camera and 1080p / 960p / and 720p video.

About GoPro:
GoPro is the world's leading manufacturer of ultra-convenient wearable and gear mountable digital cameras. Its markets include outdoor sports and motorsports. Since 2004, GoPro has been designing cameras and accessories that make it easy for people to capture images and video during their favorite activities. Its products include the patented HERO line of shockproof/waterproof wearable cameras and gear-attachment devices.

Be a Hero…GoPro

As soon as we can obtain stocks they will be available via our Ebay shop. Click out of the blog to the link, where we sell the standard camera and roll bar attachments.

Thursday 27 August 2009

SNETTERTON WILL BE MIKES FINAL STOCK HATCH RACE FOR 2009

Due to the lack of preparation time, and finding that a lot needs to be done to make the car competative, Mike has decided to miss Oulton Park next week and invest those funds in a test at Cadwell Park in a front running car, to assess his pace. If all goes well he will test the car at Snetterton and then use it in the final round, as part of a new package deal for 2010.

MIKE OFF TO SHENINGTON THIS WEEKEND FOR SUPER 1

Mike swaps back to karting for this weekend, assisting his driver Milan Mach to gain another Super 1 podium. Mike was testing with Milan at the track last thursday, and he is on lap record pace. Mike was due to drive at Oulton Park next weekend, but the car had some damage from Silverstone and unfortunately can't be repaired in time.

Monday 24 August 2009

SILVERSTONE HEAT - FROM LAST INTO THE FINAL

SILVERSTONE QUALIFYING VIDEO - (mike felt like a fuel)

JUST IN MORE IMAGES FROM THE 750MC PHOTOGRAPHER

The start and ................
......................................................the finish!


MIKE OFFERING A HOT LAP IN THE SILVER LAMBO

MIKE HAD A BUSY DAY ON SATURDAY IN THE LAMBO













MALLORY SPECTATORS IMAGES



















FUEL PROBLEMS FOR SILVERSTONE MEETING!

Saturday evening set the scene for the weekend. Having only got the car back from the paint shop late on Thursday and no time Friday to prepare it due to work and then on Saturday Mike was working at Prodrive in a Lambo, so preparations started at 6.30pm and had to finish at 8.30pm when it got dark.

On its return to us, the fuel pump was noisier than the engine,so we assumed it had suffered some damage in the Mallory impact. Fortunately we had an upgraded spare ready to fit, but the inlet and outlet pipes we 12 mm and our car pipes just 10mm, so some pipes had to be adapted to cure any leaks. We had to almost empty the tank to do the work, leaving just a litre or so in the swirl pot. Our normal practice is to fuel before we leave, so we eliminate a problem at the track, but being late we didn't.

Sunday was a late start for scrutineering and then a mid-day session for timed qualifying. We arrived at 9am, so had plenty of time to unload and wash the car, check settings, oil etc. We scrutineered twice as Mike needed to get the in-car camera location approved and he still had time to meet with Garry Feakins to sort out his tracking. We all took our positions in the stands and Mike did an out lap, then an initial recorded lap as he warmed the car up and then nothing!

The others went past 20 times, each going faster and faster, but no Mike and no fuel!

An easy mistake to make considering how late and stressed we were Saturday evening, but having checked the tank and pump several times for any signs of leaks, we didn't put 20 litres in to complete the qualifying. Mike was roughly last on the timing sheet placing him on the back row of the heat in we think 38th place and needing to get to 16th to qualify for the final in just 15 laps, possibly less with a red flag incident.

Unfortunately there were no time sheets available before the final, but Mike scraped in by two places in we think 14th, but obviously now 38th in the final. Knowing the the top 20 drivers were all faster in the qualifying than Mike was in his heat, he knew he would struggle, but any progress would be a bonus on last year when he finished in 38th in his first Stock Hatch race.

There is a video of the qualifying and of the heat. Mike was unable to switch the video off until he returned to the paddock, so filmed 20 minutes of waiting in the qualifying and then the full heat etc which took another 30 minutes, leaving just space for 5 minute of the final, which only covered the time spent in the assembly area. Next time we will use a bigger SD card or a second one. We took the precaution of changing the batteries in the camera for the final, but forgot about the SD card.

Between the heat and the final, Mike and Garry worked on the car together with a number of the front runners, who were all interested in trying to understand why Mike is so quick through the corners yet has no grunt down the straights. This is our first season, so the only set up and modifications were done by SPOOX. We have obviously had 5 race meetings now, but are still running with the same set up, with the exception of the new fuel tank and pump. We also remove the standard catalyst and fitted our own system with a sports catalyst attached to the back box.

The positive comments were that Mike had a good shell and excellent roll cage, which is the right starting point. The pump and tank were a positive improvement over the standard, as the standard set up is in their opinion inadequate. The removal of the standard catalyst improved gas flow, but there was no need to have a back box and the sports catalyst. They added that the engine mount we were supplied was illegal but the OMEX was a good ECU. Out came the laptop to find that it had been mapped very conservatively. The compression ratio was so high at 11.5 that it needed to be run on race fuel, yet mapped for pump fuel. There was much more to be gained from a re-map to focus on less revs and more torque. To do that we needed to run the twin down pipe that all the other SAXO/106 people were running, and we needed to be running a bigger bore exhaust than we were.

The front tacking was corrected, but could not be aligned with the rear. By all accounts the rear was lowered but absolutely standard and with so much play in the bearings it would fail an MOT. Garry was not surprised that Mike found that it broke quickly rather than progressively. Within 10 minutes there was plenty of interest round the car, but generally the enthusiasm and support Mike got for driving such a car was encouraging.

In the final, having changes a few settings, Mike moved from 38th through to 26th in the 16 lap final, with a couple of excellent Karting moves up the inside under braking. To conclude, Garry had been watching Mikes performance, and has offered the use of his car for Mike to test to see the difference between his and a front runner. Garry normally sets fastest laps, so this will be an excellent bench mark for Mike.

In addition, Garry has advised Mike to miss Oulton Park in order to get the car right for Snetterton. Garry is quite happy to have Mike run with him as a 'team' and share his setting with him. I think in view of the support Mike got in Karting from initially Terry Langley, who basically showed him how to drive, through Mick Brookfield who taught him driver aggression.Then Bo at Maranello taught him that drivers need confidence and some arrogance and then with Graham at ARC he managed to comprehend race tactics and alternative kart preparation strategies. Hopefully Garry can encourage Mike to convert his natural driving talent into some race winning performances.

As usual images will follow shortly.

One last word from Mike "Many thanks to all those supporters who turned up at Mallory and then again at Silverstone. Pity about qualifying, as I felt I could have got straight into the final and then with the extra second Garry found in the car, looking at my times, I could have got my first top 10. I have decided not to race at Oulton Park, but to work with Garry to get the car and myself right for Snetterton, so I hope to see you all there at the end of September?"

Monday 17 August 2009

BUSY WEEK FOR MIKE AND FULLY BOOKED FOR NEXT MONTH

Hopefully the car will be out of the bodyshop early this week, as it needs preparing for Silverstone this week. The punt into the tyres wrecked the rear quater and has taken two weeks to fix.

Wednesday Mike has a driver coaching job at Whilton Mill. Back to showing how a TKM should be driven?

Friday is booked for Silverstone testing, subject to the car being ready

Saturday and Mike is working at Prodrive in the Lambo again. More thrill seekers to guide round the track, with the bonus of a few hot laps and a few rides in a range of Supercars.

Sunday and his return to Silverstone, where he made his Stock Hatch debut last year in the Kirmit Green Peugeot 106 numbered 125. Mike managed to scrape into the final after a thrilling heat where he just gained the last qualifying slot. Here we see him having passed Craig Emerson (21), but Craig seems to be trying a shorter route to get his own back! The aim that day had bee satisfied, and in tricky conditions Mike did his best to keep out of the bottom place with a good dice throughout with his friend Pip. A year on, and he will be disappointed not to qualify in the top 20 out of nearly 100 and hopefully make progress in the heats. A good top half finish in the final would show the progress he feels he has made.

There is a two week gap before his Oulton Park return, but every weekend for the next month will be fully booked providing karting race support for his two drivers.

Thursday 6 August 2009

MALLORY PARK VIDEO OF HEATS AND FINAL

Not sure that happened on the first corner of the heat, but something sent Mike into the tyres. See what you think.

Mike recovered but not enough to make the final. Good footage showing plenty of action.

Despite Mike going off in the heat and not making the final, he still jumped up 5 places in the championship table and is now in the top 20. Not bad considering he missed two rounds and then had the brake problem at Anglesey, so as aresult he has lost a potential 90 points to his rivals. Add those to his current score and he would be in 14th out of 100 and not yet a year completed.

Predictions for 2010 have to be a top 10 finish in the championship and a seeded number?

Wednesday 5 August 2009

RACE DRIVERS INC. THANK MIKE FOR DAYTONA DRIVE









Found these images of Mike at Daytona on an RDI site plus;-

Race Drivers Inc, wish to make the following announcement;-

To everyone that attended the BBQ, many thanks - you helped mark a very special occasion in RDI's history.Special thanks to:Emma Buxton (Emma Buxton PR, http://www.emmabuxton.com)/Will Buxton (GPWeek.com)

Our VIP drivers: Alice Powell, Adam Butler, Sarah Playfair, Chris Dymond, Tom Ingram, Ollie Milroy, Karun Chandhok, Mike Comber and Ryan BensleyCharlotte Diamond and the Red Bull teams

MIKE HAD A GOOD DAYS DRIVING AT PRODRIVE


Last Friday, Mike made his first appearance at PRODRIVE for Ross Jones in 2009. Mike spent most of the day in a Lambo, but also did a few hot laps in the Aston Martin Vantage. Mike is well respected by Ross who would like him to drive for him every week, but Mikes racing has to come first, but he has agreed to a booking for 22nd August, also at PRODRIVE. This slots between Friday Silverstone practice and the Sunday race meeting.

MIKE AT KIMBOLTON THIS WEEKEND LOOKING AFTER HIS SUPER 1 DRIVER MILAN

Having had a few weeks break, the kart meetings have started again. Mike will be back on the tools keeping Milan on the pace this weekend at the Hunts Kart club in Kimbolton. One of Mikes favourite tracks and scene of several TKM festival wins plus personal Super 1 wins. Mike will nect be racing at Silverstone on 23rd August.

Monday 3 August 2009

MALLORY DAMAGE - THE MORNING AFTER

Not a lot Mike could do to prvent a visit into the tyres, having been pushed off the track and then shoved from behind. Hopefully a wash and polish will sort it!





GoPro Motorsports Hero Wide On-Board Video Camera




Michael Comber Racing have just been appointed dealers for this fantastic product. RRP is £199, but we are offering them through our ebay site at just £159.99 for August.
The world's smallest, wireless on-board video camera.

The Motorsports HERO Wide quick-release attaches to helmets, cars, motorcycles, boats, planes, etc. Features the industry's widest 170º wide angle lens and 5 megapixel sensor for the most immersive point of view video and photos possible from a wearable sports camera, period.

Sets up in seconds and is easily moved between different mount locations. Shoot 56 minutes of high-resolution video and 5 megapixel photos automatically in "Photo every 2 seconds" mode. Use as a hand held camera, too. Shockproof and waterproof to 100 feet/30 meters.
Based on the best selling original Motorsports HERO camera, the Motorsports HERO Wide features improved video, photo, audio, and low light performance. Reliability in ultra-high vibration environments has been improved with an entirely new internal circuit design. Battery life is improved to 3 hours of video record time when using Lithium batteries and 2 hours when using NiMH rechargeable batteries.

Five quick-release adhesive mounts and industrial strength suction cup are included. Suction cup is GoPro-approved for external high speed driving and riding, and is strong enough to pull dents out of a car door (unfortunately tested by GoPro). Adhesive mounts are removable but require purposeful removal by user. Safe on painted surface.
Additional expansion mounts available separately, including roll bar, handlebar/seatpost, chest harness, and surfboard mounts.

What's Included:
5 Megapixel Camera with 170º Wide Angle Lens
1 Shockproof/Waterproof Quick-Release Housing--100 feet/30 meters
3 Flat Adhesive Mounts
2 Curved Adhesive Mounts
2 Horizontal Surface Quick-release Buckle
1 Vertical Surface "J-Hook" Buckle
1 Suction Cup Mount
1 Three-way Pivoting Side Arm Assembly
1 USB/RCA Combo Cable
Warranty: 1 Year

2 MB SD card not included but also available for £7.99
4 lithium batteries also available for just £4.99

Checkthis out http://www.goprocamera.com/index.php?area=2&productid=2

Sunday 2 August 2009

MALLORY PARK ROUND 2ND AUGUST



Yes, these were taken at Brands, but just in , thanks to the resident 750MC photographer Steve Jones.

Back to Mallory and first of all, Mike would like to thank all his supporters for turning up for this his local round. The weather look set to be fine and although he had a few problems to overcome to keep the scrutineers happy, he ventured out in timed qualifying with confidence.

Mike put in 10 laps below 57 second in his 15 lap qualifying spell, which was good enough to beat the old lap record and place him 17th out of 70 entrants, his best qualifying result so far. With the top 6 getting an automatic passage into the final at 4.30, Mike was 6th on the grid in heat 1 with plenty of the top drivers around him, but only needing a top 12 finish in order to make the final.

Thanks to a new technique of holding the car on the brake while holding down the accelerator and clutch at the same time, Mike shot into 3rd place, but was on the outside entering the first bend, which proved to be a mistake as he was surrounded by some top drivers. Carl Swan was just inside Mike and Jake Farndon just behind and in a typical racing incident, Mike somehow got tagged putting him into a spin ending up with him backing the car into the tyre wall.




Mike said afterwards" I was in the wrong place and after all these years in karting should not put myself at risk like I did going round the outside". So not the best start, and now Mike was 30th and half the back straight behind. Thanks to his determined approach, Mike then caught the back of the pack and lap by lap made his moves. One more lap and Mike would have got back to 12th and taken three before the first corner as he went over the line with enough momentum to have passes 12th, 13th and 14th who were nose to tail.

If it were a road car, it would now be a 'CAT C write off', but with help from Tony at City MOT, I am sure the car will be ready for Silverstone in a few weeks time. Unfortunately no video footage as the scrutineers banned Mike form using his miniature video camera, and no track maps as we also had to switch off the data logger. A strange day that started off on the wrong footing and just got worse!

The positive to take away were that Mike is now under 5/10th of a second off the fastest drivers and on his qualifying time and race time in the heat could have easily made the top 10. Mike now goes to Silverstone 'knowing' that circuit, so we have high hopes of another good qualifying result.

On another positive note, it would seem that as we were advised to use a Mk1 engine, Mike is running at a handicap to the others, who use a combination of parts from a MK1 and MK2 engine. Being a little naive at the start of the season, it would seem that we made some incorrect choices in car preparation. One of the front running teams have spotted Mikes potential considering his handicap and offered their help to correct matters for 2010. The changes will make a 10% power increase, which will place Mike on a par with the fastest. Mike is resigned to seeing out 2009 with his current set up and looks forward to some winter testing with three of the current top drivers in order to improve the chassis set up.

Hopefully Mike will retain his current level of sponsorship and benefit in 2010 from aid from some of his newer supporters. Mike intends to have a fully functioning workshop with a 2-post lift within the next month in order to develop his Motorsport business oportunities.

Hopefully spectator footage of today's events will be on here soon.