Track sheets - how do you record data at the track?

I have my own process that I have developed over the past few years and thought a discussion about how others track their data at the race track would be good. Maybe everyone can learn something.

I currently use a laminated sheet and whiteboard markers to not the data - I have my pre-race checks, set up parameters and space for extra notes. Example below.

It's a bit too much to get in during some practice or sprint sessions unless I have a helper, but it keeps me mostly on task at the track. Once I've added the post race data, i'll type in the information into a txt file, then copy that session into the corresponding session log file. Example below.

Then I take a photo sheet, and clean the sheet then start again.

It does have a few downsides - like if you forget to take a photo, but I've found it works a bit better for me then having lots of sheets of paper to lose.

How do you record your track data?

text notes - keeps cutting off the post :(

201121 - MP rd4 - R1 MP - k

km 136689 - 136728

11 laps

Notes

Lots of oil temp warnings and coolant press warning on start up. Oil temp up to 124 - managed to get it back to 120 buy the end of the race with smart driving. Really shit start, car got hot, probalb an over rev on lap 1. Tony, shane and chris got pass me at the start. Bided time and waited for tony to crack. Shane and i got pass tony and then i got pass shane. 911's kinda helped me. Tony said his tyres were at 35 when he came in. Shane got fastest lap. Started p13 fin p12 (1st in class)

fuel - 1/2 tank (add ~5l after qual)

tyres cold

cold set

tyres hot

31 31

31 31

hot set

-

springs 11.6, 6.1

sways 19, 14s

prop -8

Wheels

bl4 s4

bl4 bl4

tyres rear tyres 50% set

RA LC

RB LD

frc 60.0%

Shocks -1.5, -4 (35/6 = 6/turns .: +12 clicks = -4 turns)

pads pfc 11, Project mu

Brake temps

Before

less than 132 less than 132

less than 149 less than 143

after - No change

less than 132 less than 138 Front right bit hotter

less than 149 less than 143

shock preload values

check whiteboard

Plugs are the ones from engine dyno

This is a great topic to have on here Shane!

This is an area of race engineering I feel really strongly about, the development of systems and tools to record your information is something that engineers spend a lot of time on!

In my experience with setup tracking, run sheets, driver feedback, tyre data, reporting etc, I've worked with the full range, from pen and paper through to extremely sophisticated software that's fully integrated with the cars data systems and live timing data from the circuit and allows full live syncing between multiple engineers. The most common way in professional racing is somewhere in the middle with tools based on Microsoft Excel.

I find to some extent, the sophistication of the tools needs to be matched to the job. So if I'm contracting to a small team as a part-timer often I just use pen and paper. I prepare this in the form of bound booklets for each purpose.

For example, I have a mechanics booklet that has procedures for running and setting up the car as well as a setup tracking area and a place to record fuel in/out records. Then I have tyre guy booklet with cold and hot pressure tracking, tyre temps, air and track temps, tread wear and a history of which tyre was fitted which rim and TPMS sensor. Then engineer booklet with car procedures, run sheets and setup summaries etc etc.

The great thing about making bound booklets is I can add and remove pages between events easily. I keep all the old paperwork from previous events and seasons in the booklets so I can refer to it each time I return to a track. The great thing about this is I don't need to rely on any team infrastructure, so I can stay very flexible.

In a more professional environment, I tend to be much more based on a computer, using Excel to track and record things. Those who have worked with Excel a lot will know you can do a lot of relatively complex stuff with formulas and linking between sheets etc that can speed up your life and keep the information up to date much easier. But on the other side, the more complex they get the more time you spend debugging things!

It's only usually when I've worked with large teams and organisations that you get the opportunity to work with the very sophisticated tracking software, works or factory-supported usually. This is simply because these tools are so specialised and require both a lot of budget to invest in them but also proper team infrastructure. Things like full server racks at the track, dedicated IT person, multiple backup UPSs etc.

I have been thinking in future that we will put together some resource on a topic like this as I think there will be some demand. This could possibly fit into one of our courses or even be a small course of its own.

Thanks Tim!

I've made an effort not to get too bogged down in collecting data during an event, but it would be a completely different ball game if I had some more hands in the pits.

I originally was looking at taking notes, then scanning them and adding them to excel, but I found I would never get around to doing it. Once I had a decent logging system, and was able to just add text notes to the log files, it simplified things a lot - provided you add the notes into the log file. The main purpose of the laminated sheet is to make sure I don't forget things - that's how a lot of the checks have ended up on the list...

It would be great to see some examples of the folders you've put together.

It certainly takes discipline to keep on top of the notes!

If I'm just using pen and paper, apart from writing a post-event report I don't bother digitizing them normally. It's not usually worth the extra work!

I'm sure I'll cover some documentation at some stage, maybe a future members webinar for a start could probably do a small course on it too.

Sounds like your doing a good job with it anyway! Would be interested to hear how other people are managing their record keeping too.

If you are thinking of doing a small webinar or course on this subject, personally would find this very useful from a medium to professional level. Some more information on if this could happen would be great!

Hi Thomas, I haven't got firm plans for doing a members webinar on this subject yet but I've added it to the list!

+1 for interest in a webinar covering this

Copy, Brennan. I'll probably do a webinar on it at some point this year.