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December 31, 2007
Happy New Year!
All of us at AiM wish you and your families a very Happy and healthy New Year!
Our office is closed today and tomorrow so that our families may enjoy some time together at home. We will reopen January 2nd.
MyChron Mike
Posted by MyChron Mike at 01:59 PM
December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas
From all of us, to all of you!
Posted by MyChron Mike at 11:56 AM
Data Analysis Seminar
Roger Caddell of Victory Lane Data will be presenting a seminar dedicated to Race Studio2 data analysis in the Seattle Tacoma WA area January 19th 2008. Click on the link below for more information and sign up instructions.
Posted by MyChron Mike at 11:12 AM
Thrilla for the Drilla, Part Deux
Tons of excitement awaits as I prepare for my second annual trip to Tulsa OK and the 23rd annual Tulsa Shootout which I fondly refer to as the "Thriller for the Driller" The race features kart's,quads, micro's and mini's and will normally reach over a 1000 total entries. Last year was my maiden trip and it was huge. I am sure that this year will be more of the same.
Look forward to seeing you there!
MyChron Mike
Posted by MyChron Mike at 08:23 AM
December 20, 2007
Analyze Data - How To
On Track Sessions
The first few issues of On Track Sessions, a series of data analysis how-to's, in what is to become a series of such, have been published with more are on the way. There's some great information within these documents!
Oversteer and Understeer Analysis 2.2 MB PDF
Understeer and oversteer are analyzed utilizing an MXL Pro with GPS, 4 shock sensors, a steering angle sensor, front and rear brake pressure sensors, a longitudinal accelerometer, a lateral accelerometer, a gyro, 4 speed sensors, and all engine parameters from the MBE 992 ECU connection.
Full Control of Your Engine - with an LCU-ONE 2.7 MB PDF
The purpose of this MyChron4 test was to determine the effectiveness of using a Lambda sensor, often referred to as an Air-to-Fuel ratio sensor or a wide-band sensor, on two-cycle engines. While Lambda has proven the best way to tune 4-cycle engines, to the surprise of many, it's not only effective but proved to be the best way to achieve and maintain proper carburetion on 2-cycles as well. The Bosch LSU 4.9 sensor used by the AiM LCU-ONE digital lambda controller does not foul or "poison" in 2-cycle exhaust like other Lambda sensors do. Look for a follow up to this issue for some great detail on using EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) in conjunction with Lambda for tuning a carburetor in the best way possible.
GPS for Kart Chassis and Engine Analysis 3.5 MB PDF
Using a MyChron4 and GPS, this document illustrates how to use GPS to aid in chassis setup and even engine tuning. The data is from a 60cc kart engine with a required 18mm exhaust restrictor. Data from three separate sessions are analyzed.
Posted by Mike Jaynes at 03:56 PM
MXL GPS Lap Times
MXL firmware version v14.86.23 was released today with some significant improvements.
GPS Lap and Split Times
Finally out of beta, beacon-less lap timing has arrived. GPS lap and split timing is now possible with this new firmware version. The MXL now has a GPS lap/spilt setup page, which allows you to drive around the track and press a button where you want the lap and split times to be. The GPS module for the MXL has a 50 track memory, so once a lap/split configuration is done for a track, you won't have to do it again. It will "know" where you are, just start driving.
The GPS Lap Time User Manual can be downloaded here. While the MXL v14.86.23 firmware can be downloaded here. Please note that it is important to have the GPS module connected to the MXL during the firmware update, as the GPS module is also updated.
The GPS Lap Manual also contains some brief notes on a beta software called GPS Manager. While it is beta, this software allows you to export GPS lap/split configurations from the GPS module, and send the config to another GPS module or vehicle. This is important for teams who need to overlay data and do not want the time shift of different GPS beacon locations. This software will also allow you to name, remove, store, share, and add notes to the GPS lap/split config file. The GPS Manager beta can be downloaded here.
MXL Memory Key
This firmware also adds support for a new MXL Memory Key due out in January. Using a similar CAN/USB data key to our MyChron4 product, the new MXL Memory Key connects anywhere to MXL expansion CAN-bus and all data is recorded directly to the Memory Key, while simultaneously recording the MXL memory. The Memory Key contains 32MB of memory. The Memory Key has been extensively tested and is very robust. It is hot swappable, it can be removed or connected while the car is running and moved between cars. Because the Memory Key is also a USB device, you no longer have to bring the lap top out to the car, rather just take the key from the car and plug it into your USB port to download from the key.
Online Vref Value
All AiM systems for the past 11 years have used a 4.5V reference for analog channels, earlier this year, the MXL was moved to a more standard 5.0V reference voltage. The software intelligently manages this change and is transparent to the user. However, when creating custom sensors with the Custom Sensor function, knowing the reference voltage is often required. With the added Online Vref Value, you no longer need to bring out the multimeter to determine whether your MXL is a 4.5V or 5.0V system.
Posted by Mike Jaynes at 12:47 PM
December 19, 2007
Race Studio 2.22.06
Race Studio 2 revs to v2.22.06 with the following changes:
Race Studio Configuration
1. New main interface
• In the main window there are new buttons corresponding to the main software functions.
• The “AIM system manager” button opens a pane where the user can select the system and go to the corresponding configuration window.
• Download and other convenient buttons added.
2. Data downloading from Memory key.
• Managment of MXL CAN/USB Memory Key.
3. Updated Japanese language database.
4. Fixed download bug that caused GPS data to be shown only for the first lap of a run.
Race Studio Analysis
1. Updated Japanese language database.
Download Race Studio 2.22.06 here.
Posted by Mike Jaynes at 01:45 PM
December 14, 2007
Winter Storage Tip
With the official start of winter just a week away many racers throughout the country are putting their karts away to wait for warmer weather. One item which many times gets overlooked during winter prep are the batteries in your MyChron. Its best to remove the batteries when storing your kart for an extended period of time as alkaline batteries can fully discharge over time and this can lead to leaking acid and damage to your gauge.
MyChron Mike
Posted by MyChron Mike at 03:08 PM
December 13, 2007
MyChron4 & DaVid Updates
The MyChron4 firmware reaches v31.50 today with a couple of small changes to the v31.49 released last week.
• Fixed bug on Japanese strings visualization to Euro version
• Added language Portuguese management to Euro version
• Added “Direct Drive” option in MyChron4 USA version for Oval Race Mode
The last item, added the "Direct Drive" option to the oval mode, is really a convenience item, as both low-stall and direct drive are treated the same by the MyChron4.
The DaVid standalone system got its first update in about a year and half. Firmware v17.08 improved Speed channel management on TG Dash and MyChron 3 displays.
Click here to go to the MyChron4 download page.
Click here to go to the DaVid firmware download page.
Posted by Mike Jaynes at 01:26 PM
December 12, 2007
Seasons Greetings
All of us at AiM would like to wish our customers, dealers and friends a wonderful holiday season. Our offices will close December 22nd and reopen January 2nd 2008.
Chad and Aaron will be at the Daytona International Speedway to support all the WKA racers at the Sprint and Road Race events. Trey and Devan will be providing support at the Dirt National at Volusia. I will be in Tulsa Oklahoma for the Tulsa Shootout.
MyChron Mike
Posted by MyChron Mike at 11:10 AM
Rookie of the Year
PAULIE HARRAKA WINS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AND FINISHES SECOND IN NASCAR TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS.
Multi-time WKA National Champion and Stars of Karting winner Paulie Harraka has just completed his first full season of Late Model racing for Bill McAnally Racing through Richard Childress Racing. Harraka, who raced in the premier Western Late Model Division at the NASCAR sanctioned All American Speedway finished up the season with 2 wins, 7 second place finishes, 11 top 5's and 14 top 10's during the 17 race season. He capped off his incredible season by capturing the Rookie of the Year award by 72 points over his nearest competitor, and by finishing in second place in the season long NASCAR points battle. Harraka was in contention for the NASCAR Track Championship right up until the last 2 races of the season.
Paulie used an AiM MXL Pista with GPS to help him and his crew chief make decisions on chassis set up which obviously helped.
MyChron Mike
Posted by MyChron Mike at 08:00 AM
December 11, 2007
Software and Firmware Updates
Our site was updated today with a few software and firmware updates released recently.
MyChron4
Firmware updated to v31.49.04
MyChron3 Dash
Firmware updated to v15.07
Race Studio 2
Software updated to v2.22.05
Latest software and firmware updates are always recommended.
Posted by Mike Jaynes at 08:26 PM
PRI News and Notes
The 20th Annual PRI Show has come and gone. The show went very well for us as we unveiled some exciting new products for 2008. Top of the list is our new DaVid2 video system which features playback via a full color screen in high def or can be downloaded to your computer via a compact flash card. A new channel expansion and thermocouple hub were introduced which will expand the capibility of our MXL line of loggers. The Data key idea has been expanded to what will function as a memory key for the MXL line as well. This will give the user an added memory upgrade to 32MB and may also be used for endurance racing where each driver can carry his or her own key which is hot swappable during pit stops. This will allow engineers to analyze data prior to the next pit stop and effect changes then. A new very very small EVO4 will be added spring of 2008.
Check back for further updates and pictures soon. You can also check out a video from our booth below.
http://motorrev.klipz.tv/view_video.php?viewkey=e3bef5e069713af9fa6c
Posted by MyChron Mike at 02:08 PM
December 03, 2007
PRI 2008
AiM Sports LLC will be exhibiting our full range of Data Acquisition products at the Annual Performance Racing Industry Show in Orlando Florida December 6-8. Stop by booth 1619 to see exciting new products for 2008 including the DaVid2 video system.
Click below for a link to the PRI website where you can find floorplans, show hours and much more.
http://www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow/
Posted by MyChron Mike at 01:08 PM