Camera tether for formula cars?

[Agitator]

At impound this past weekend, I was told by a tech steward that my camera needs a tether. I just said "ok". I have a two year old GCR, and I can't find any mention of formula cars needing a tether. I'm fine doing it, but I'm not sure what folks are doing. I have an AIM GP bullet camera mounted over my head on the air intake on my FE2. Thinking about just zip tying a tether, because, short of expoxy, I'm not sure what I'm gonna use to secure it. Any suggestions?

James

[stonebridge20]

At impound this past weekend, I was told by a tech steward that my camera needs a tether. I just said "ok". I have a two year old GCR, and I can't find any mention of formula cars needing a tether. I'm fine doing it, but I'm not sure what folks are doing. I have an AIM GP bullet camera mounted over my head on the air intake on my FE2. Thinking about just zip tying a tether, because, short of expoxy, I'm not sure what I'm gonna use to secure it. Any suggestions?

James

lol
You should have told him/her that it's already got a teacher. It's called the camera cable.

[brian styczynski]

9.3.11
B. The mounts for video / photographic cameras shall be of a safe and secure design. The body of the camera or recording unit that weighs more than 8 oz shall be secured at a minimum of 2 points on
different sides of the camera body. Suction cups or elastic mounts are not permitted. If a tether is used
to restrain the camera, the tether length shall be limited so that the camera cannot contact the driver

Just because it says the word tether in the GCR does not mean tethers are mandatory. I doubt any modern camera is going to be over 8 oz.

[Jim Edmonds]

You could have pointed out that the language means camera that weighs less than eight ounces doesn't need a tether. My aim camera mount is also safety wired in place.

YMMV

Jim Edmonds

[billtebbutt]

I have an old school GoPro, so this may not work for you. But I have used fishing line leeders to secure it in the past (have also used them on pip pins) - I keep a package in the toolbox.....

Cheap and strong, and so thin you barely notice them.

cheers,
bt

[Roux]

A while back we were told that the track owner at Thompson Speedway is insistent that all cameras are tethered and running foul of him without a tether in place becomes a problem. I don't recall if the Supps for SCCA races there call it out specifically or not. Would make sense to add that I think. Main point is that GCR is part of the story, and local behavior can come into play

[Agitator]

lol
You should have told him/her that it's already got a teacher. It's called the camera cable.

Yes! I actually responded in a similar manner. When he told me that I need a tether, I said "ok". Then, he said "That cable isn't going to hold it if it falls off." To which I responded "I'm pretty sure it will. It's basically a coax connection and it's gonna take a lot to pull it out."

Thanks for the responses - the 8oz rule certainly doesn't apply to my camera. I think I just had a guy that wanted to enforce "something". No harm, no foul.

[Lotus7]

I think I just had a guy that wanted to enforce "something".

somebody had to say it

[DanW]

Yes! I actually responded in a similar manner. When he told me that I need a tether, I said "ok". Then, he said "That cable isn't going to hold it if it falls off." To which I responded "I'm pretty sure it will. It's basically a coax connection and it's gonna take a lot to pull it out."

Thanks for the responses - the 8oz rule certainly doesn't apply to my camera. I think I just had a guy that wanted to enforce "something". No harm, no foul.

Agree. The rule was originally written when people were zip tying camcorders to the roll bar. Then the early gopro cameras were breaking off at the bracket if they were too tight and rolling upward if they were too loose. Lot's of them were sacrificed to the gods of speed....

I still lockwire my bullet cam to the roll hoop, because I can.

[Stumpthumper]

As was noted above, some tracks require them. This is what i bought:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073PV51NW?th=1

The reality is there is no great way to mount these to a GoPro because many techs want it to be secured with metal, but everything is plastic or secured with plastic on the camera. It is what it is.