Been on my list for a while. I finally decided to register for a Tandem Skydiving experience.

I registered with Skydive Monroe, about an hour away from Atlanta. Their site is very easy to navigate and I registered for a Friday 2pm appointment.

The basic cost to register is $245 and I added the Outside Video and Stills package of $175 for a total of $420

Tandem Skydiving is a way for anyone to experience free fall and parachute deployment with the safety of a Tandem Instructor secured to ones back.

I arrived at the hanger around 1:30pm and waited for them to call us in to the instruction room. There were only 2 others there and there were only 2 instructors and a couple of videographers.

They called us in and we viewed a video. The video was narrated by a man who was instrumental in developing the harness used in Tandem Skydiving. There are other methods to do this but they didn’t go into detail. The video reenforced the risks of skydiving and we had to fill out a double sided paper waver where we initialed each paragraph, signed and witnessed.

My package included a free T-shirt.

When it came time, the instructor went over some safety instructions. Stay calm at all times, I could not jump if I felt unsafe, to keep my arms in at the door, arch my back during free fall, and other simple hand signals to make sure I was ok at all times.

He secured the harness on me and he strategically chose the proper parachute for Tandem. A bigger chute is needed because its more weight.

At this time the videographer did his thing with fancy camera movements and an interview. The finished product is outstanding.

They provided plenty of pictures and 3 very nicely edited videos.

Back to the experience! We walked on the tarmac as I followed the instructor inside the plane and sat facing the tale. There were 2 rows of benches long way. We took off and he gave me the goggles and told me when it was time to scoot back so he could secure himself to me.

We climbed up to 15,000′ and we scooted forward towards the door. The videographer gave me tips to look up and do whatever while he filmed. His gopro was connected to his helmet.

At the door we waited until the light turned green giving us the go ahead to jump. I was a little nervous but excited about what was about to happen. At the door, it was a bit scary because there was nothing between the plane and the ground. Surprisingly, I did not get any scary sensation as your would looking over an edge of a building.

We rocked back and forth and exited the plane doing a small flip. Once facing down the instructor deployed a mini chute. It’s either to keep us level or as an indicator where we were.

We dropped 10,000′ in free fall in almost a minute. All the while the videographer made his way to face me. I stretched out my arms and kept my legs inside my instructors legs and looked up. Occasionally looking down and how small everything looked.

The wind was strong and very happy to have the goggles.

Right about 5,500′ the chute deployed and it was a good deployment. If something had gone wrong the instructor would have cut away the chute and deploy the reserve. The instructor said he’s only had to reply the reserve 6 times solo and 16 times in tandem.

It was a jolt when the chute deployed. Like slamming on the brakes. He told me to stand on his toes to loosen the harness a bit. He guided us down and allowed me to hold onto the handles. Pulling on the left handle made the chute turn left and the right turn right. Both handles, applied the brakes. Amazing how 2 handles were able to control the direction of the parachute.

One of the skydivers that jumped first had to cut away and deploy his reserve so the instructor kept a close watch on him.

We circled and began our decent in a strategic pattern to the landing area. As we approached the ground he instructed me to pick my feet up like in a sitting position. We gently touched down and he unbuckled himself.

The experience was exhilarating. Delfinately would do it again and am seriously considering doing AFF where I would be certified to jump solo. The AFF course is an all day event with 3 jumps. You jump with 2 instructors.

I am obsessed with creating content to post to YouTube and what better content than Track Day Videos.

It would be easy to suction cup a GoPro on the windshield and hit the record button during each session. But the end result is just your point of view driving through a road course. That’s where Telemetry Data can make things a bit more exciting to the viewer.

TELEMETRY DATA

Telemetry Data is data recorded by a gps logger that is then interpreted by software that overlays speed, g-force, track position, and time. You can add an OBD II sensor to add vehicle data such as RPMs, Throttle, Air Intake Temp, etc. Adding an ECU reader can then collect brake pressure, current gear, etc… The options are limitless but may require more devices to record data and need special software to sync to a video.

Cars like the Corvette and Camaro have in dash PDR built into that can produce a very nice video.

APPS AND RECORDERS

Porsche has it’s own app called Porsche Track Precision that connects your smart phone to your Porsche via WIFI and with a windshield suction mount your phone can record dash video and the app will overlay data (Track Map, Speed, RPM, Throttle, Brake, Gear, Over/Understeer) as well as a Summary of your laps that can export individual laps or the full session so you can upload it to YouTube.

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The negatives:

• App tends to crash in the middle of a session
• Only displays KPH
• May require to resync data to video
• Shaky video

There are plenty of devices race enthusiasts use to collect data but it can be in the thousands of dollars

• Garmin Catalyst
• Apex Pro II
• Aim Solo DL

But you don’t have to brake the bank to get simple track video with overlaid data (Speed, Track Map position, Lap Times, G-Force). There are plenty of Apps that can produce great quality videos

• RaceChrono Pro
• Harry’s Lap Timer

Just to name a few, you can go into your own App Store and search Lap Timers for other programs.

I love RaceChrono Pro because the overlay is clean. I don’t have much experience with Harry’s Lap Timer because I found the interface to be a little more cumbersome but the video I have seen the overlay is not as clean but they have an excellent 3-2-1 when you’re about to turn into a turn AND it names which turn you’re on with speed. I may push through and test it on my next track day.

RaceChrono Pro is the only program, I have found, that can import GoPro video with data.

UPDATE: I recently went to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL where I tested out Harry’s Lap Timer. Below is my fastest lap at Barber. Here is my review: It’s a good program but RaceChrono Pro is easier to use. There are too many settings in Harry’s. I was able to pair it with my OBD II easily but I am not sure the data is correct or in sync. I was only able to figure out how to export 1 lap at a time and not the entire 13 lap session. I thought I found a setting but it ended up merging a video file without the gps log. I really like the Turn Numbering and Speed at the Straight and Turn pop up.

All you need is to mount your phone under the rear view mirror and away you go.

But! If you notice image quality is a little grainy AND shaky. More on that below

OTHER POST PRODUCTION TELEMETRY PROGRAM/SOFTWARE

There are many other programs that can take your video and GPS logged data to render a nice video.

The only ones I have experience with is Race Render and Telemetry Overlay. I did not like the interface of RaceRender and Telemetry Overlay does the trick but the overlay and delta information is not as clean.

The issues I had was data sometimes did not sync well AND the finish line was often wrong. Both of these cost money and have tons of settings that can be adjusted. It’s too much of a rabbit hole that I am not committed to do.

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A SIMPLE SET UP

I use an iPhone 7 attached to a, non swiveling, horizontal phone holder with a GoPro sticky mount underneath the rear mirror for a lower profile. Suction cup mounts can be big and cumbersome and the ones with screw on attachments can be the worst because you’re pulling so many G’s that your phone can loosen and swivel away from the dash view. The other issue is glare and fuzzy image caused by the tiny rock chips and bug splats on the windshield. But Glare is the worst offender.

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Using this set up you can export video that can be uploaded directly to YouTube for sharing

This has now become my redundant system

HIGHER PRODUCTION QUALITY

I’ve taken it a step further. I now use a GoPro Hero 7 Black on a GoPro suction mount either on the glass or above it aimed slightly higher than the hood. The GoPro Hero 7 Black produces outstanding quality AND it logs GPS data (you must make sure the GPS is turned on AND not in quick shot mode).

• Another thing to keep in mind is that with the outside camera, the lens is susceptible to damage from track debris. I’ve had to replace my lens twice. The GoPro Hero 7 and 9 have replaceable lenses the 8 does not.

The downside is power. There is no way to hardwire safely outside the car so I had to buy 2 additional batteries and a charger. I swap batteries between sessions. Each session is 20-40mins long and could record 2 sessions but most likely it will run out of juice in the middle of the second session.

I have also added a second GoPro (a hero session) inside the cabin to get a view of me and my instructor. I once again used a GoPro sticky mount centered on the back windshield and then feed it power with a usb cable connected to the cigarette charger. (Note that GoPro Hero 6 and above will not charge while recording)

GOPRO SMART REMOTE

I paired both GoPro’s to a Smart Remote which allows me to power on and start and stop both cameras with a touch of a button. In theory this is the best controller for 2 GoPro cameras.

But sometimes only 1 connects and sometimes neither. Or in the middle of a session they both will disconnect leaving you wondering if they’re recording at all. Sometimes you think they are recording and they’re not and sometimes you think you stopped them but they didn’t or one stops and the other doesn’t. It works 75% of the time. Just be prepared for the 25%.

Worst case scenario, you start the cameras recording manually and just have to trim them later. Make sure you have a large enough sd card so you won’t run out of space

POST PRODUCTION

At the end of my track day I go home with 4 sources.

• iPhone 7 Dash Recorded Video with Overlay (for redundancy purposes)
• GoPro Hero 7 Black (has GPS data logger)
• GoPro Hero Session (in cabin forward view)
• GoPro Hero 4 (optional outside reverse camera)

Here are the next steps:

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• Import the GoPro Hero 7 Black videos into my iPad running RaceChrono Pro. This can be tricky because GoPro splits files greater than 4gb and name them in a manner that is not sortable. You’d have to sort by date in ascending order.
• Name the session.
• Trim the start and end time then export (AirDrop) to my Desktop computer (27″ iMac 2019)

On my Desktop, I run Final Cut Pro. It’s overkill but it allows me to overlay video Picture in Picture style. iMovie can do the same but it can only do 1 and sometimes I have a rear view which is 2 picture in pictures

In Final Cut Pro, I create an Event that groups all the videos in one spot. Then I create a projection for each individual session. Both exported RaceChrono Pro rendered video and Pro Hero Session files are imported into the event

This is where things can get a bit tedious but the final result is excellent!!

BUT RUBEN, I HAVE A PC

Final Cut Pro is available for PC but just like for the Mac it’s $299. There are many many other alternatives but the one I have hear a lot about is Filmora. I believe it’s $70. From what I have seen, pretty much all the editors will have the same or similar layout. The bottom is the timeline where you can drag and drop clips, the upper right is the preview and the left is the file list along with a directory/transition/titles.

What you’re looking for is something that can do Picture in Picture and can scale it or “transform”. Which should be pretty standard on any Video Editor

Do a quick google search and watch YouTube Reviews on the Editor you’re considering.

A friend of mine, Sean Phillips, recommended I sign up for this event about a year ago. He said it was a great experience with great people and with only Porsches.

Josh Vandergriff owns and operates Rennsport Dragon Rally among other events. Twice a year, June and October, he organizes a 3 day event centered around the The Tail of the Dragon. Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap with 318 curves in 11 miles: America’s number one motorcycle and sports car road.

GROUPS

CRUISING GROUP: A leisurely cruise through these mountains roads, as you would do during a Porsche Club drive.

TOURING GROUP: A step up from a cruise, where you will have some spirited driving mixed in. This is what most people would refer to as a “spirited drive’. 

SPIRITED GROUP: This group is for former participants who know what to expect, drivers who really know these roads, or drivers who really know their car well and have significant driving skills.

DRIVING ITINERARY

FRIDAY, JUNE 4th 255 miles of driving
8am:  Check-in opens
9am:  Driver Meeting
10am: Staging and starting of drives
12:30 – 2:30pm: Lunch stop and open-house at Ohlin’s Suspension (they have three food trucks, and an ice cream truck. There will be BBQ, German, and Cuban food options)
6 – 8pm:  Welcome Dinner at the Fontana Village Resort Event Center

SATURDAY, JUNE 5th – 245 miles of driving
9am: Driver Meeting
10am; Fontana Dam takeover and Photo Shoot Parade
12:30 – 1:30pm: Lunch stop in Maryville, TN (everyone is on their own for lunch and there are more than enough options)
4-6pm: Block takeover at Appalachian Driving Experience (everyone is on their own for dinner and there are 20 restaurants within a 1.5 mile radius)
7pm: Carolina Room at the Fontana Village Resort is reserved with a keg of beer and cash bar available

SUNDAY, JUNE 6th – 234 miles of driving
9am: Driver Meeting
11am: Snack stop
2:30 – 4pm: Late lunch / early dinner stop in Maryville, TN (everyone is on their own for food and there are more than enough options)
5:30pm: Return to Fontana Village Resort for the conclusion of the Spring 2021 Rennsport Dragon Rally!

LODGING

The event is held at Fontana Village Resort and Marina. Very interesting story behind this resort. From what I understand it was built to house the workers who built the damn then it was sold and converted to a resort. The resort is quant but dated. There is no cell service and their wifi is decent.

The have the traditional rooms in the main lodge along with cabins spread out through the property. It has the basic amenities of lounging areas, pools, 2 restaurants and a large convention style room to hold meetings.

COST

Rennsport Dragon Rally Registration: $149

Lodging for 3 nights: $329

DAY 1, Thursday, June 3, 2021

Met up with a group from Atlanta at the Quick Trip off Old Milton Parkway. We drove up and did Blood then made our way to Fontana Dam, NC where the resort is. Before we arrived we did the Skyway and Dragon but it was raining. Regardless we had a spirited run.

I met some great people. Michael and Colby in a 2015 Porsche Carrera 4S, Jeff Wolf in a Porsche Targa GTS4, Porsche Turbo,

Once we arrived at the resort we checked in. I stayed in room 107 while others were in cabins

REGISTRATION

Drove down to the Event Hall to register. There we signed a waiver and was given a pretty nice swag bag

From there I went up to the main lodge to have dinner where I met up with my new friends.

DAY 2, Friday, June 4th, 2021

We met up for the Drivers meeting at the Event Hall then we dispersed into our groups. I was in Group 1 but we couldn’t have a great drive because most of the day was spent behind local traffic.

We stopped for lunch at Ohlins, a performance shop and sponsor of the event. They had several food trucks. BBQ, Cuban Sandwhichs, German Schnitsels

DAY 3, Saturday, June 5, 2021

This day was much better. Began with a buffet breakfast at the main lodge, lined up in our groups, then went inside for a brief drivers meeting. This day was so much better than the previous day.

We began with a parade at the dam

Then proceeded to do The Tail of the Dragon along with other routes

We stopped at a mall and had lunch at Aubreys Maryville. Then we continued.

We stopped at the Appalachian Driving then proceeded to go to have dinner at Tapoco Lodge

From there, I followed Tyler in a Miami Blue GT3 and Danny in a red Turbo S while Colby was driving Gregs white GT3

Then Colby sat with me while we followed Tyler, Miami Blue GT3, who was following Greg, White GT3 but then Tyler turned around to get Jeff, Green GT3.

DAY 4, Sunday, June 6, 2021

There was a drive but I needed to get home so I left around 8am and arrived home around noon.

Here is the itinerary for that day

FINAL ASSESSMENT

A fantastic event held by a fantastic group and met some fantastic people for whom I hope to have a long friendship with.

I did register for Octobers event.

At the end of 2020 there were rumblings of 2, possibly 3, vaccines that were in development. The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. The first 2 require 2 doses a couple of weeks apart. the 3rd on required 1.

My concern was how rushed this vaccine came down the pipeline. This is the exact premise of how the Zombie Apocalypse or the end of humanity begins. Oh sure, this vaccine prevents you from contracting the Covid Virus that strange enough affects everyone different no matter what age or shape you’re in. But whose to know what the side effects are 1, 3, 5, 10 years from now could be?

Are we witnessing the origin of something devastating in the next 5 – 10 years??

Regardless, I made the decision to sign up. At the time, the vaccine had been given to front line workers and the elderly. Then a new wave opened up with some pretty interested qualifications. From being a care giver to being a parent of a child who has a condition to just having a BMI of over 21, which is everyone.

I had dinner with a friend of mine, 40 and in great shape, and said he received his first dose and he said he was a caregiver. They didn’t check to see if his role was true or not. He also told me a friend of ours signed up to be on a list of “excess” un used doses. Apparently, they have shelf life and if they don’t have enough people to receive it they have to throw it away so instead they give it to anyone who wants it.

I asked him to send me the site where he signed up. The Site was MyVaccineGeorgia.com. Which I found it a little tough to navigate through but when I did find a provider it sent me to a scheduling page where I figured out I had to constantly refresh until there was a time and date available. And when I did find it when I went to click on it the appointment had been taken.

I searched through a neighboring neighborhood FaceBook page on posts that contained people helping people to sign up. I found a post where a nurse who offered to assist anyone with signing up for the vaccine

I contacted her and she was able to get my girlfriend and I an appointment on March 19, 2021 and she was able to get us an appointment on March 26th.

We gave her our names, cell numbers, emails and availability. She asked us if we were willing to travel and the answer was, yes. She booked us 2 appointments with a Drive Through facility in Clarkesville, Georgia about an hour and 20 minutes from Atlanta.

We received and email with a questionnaire to fill our which ultimately gave us a QR code for us to show when we arrived at the facility

We arrived at the facility and navigated through cones where people were checked through by FEMA and some Military personnel. Very OutBreakish feeling.

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