Welcome to 2024, where data is as readily available as ever before and when it comes to the world of racing, a tool like the Garmin Catalyst has proven to be a game changer in chasing tenths and becoming a more complete racing driver.
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The penultimate round of the GR Cup media challenge is currently underway. As little as I can believe it, we have completed five rounds and the end looms ahead of us. Across the grid of amateur drivers in the media challenge, the majority of us have this year, for the first time, taken to circuit racing and the experience amassed over the months has been profound. As much as there are many factors that go into the betterment of driving ability, the one tool we all seem to believe has proven incredibly useful is the Garmin Catalyst.
Related: Into the Golden Sunset – GR Cup Round 5
Prior to handling some admin work and tackling this article on my laptop, I went through some of the session data stored in the Catalyst and it is as comprehensive in data collection as top-flight motorsport from two or three decades ago. The portable tablet-like device can record and store metrics like lap time, onboard camera footage and session timing which is all done automatically if set up before going out onto the circuit. Paired with a dashcam (which is further useful as video footage), the GPS-based tracker is almost perfectly synched with the MSA transponders used. While this undoubtedly aids with data tracking to gauge improvement, the real winner is the in-car function that tracks the delta (how far off the best-set lap time you are) and the race coach which determines the optimal lap time with ideal racing lines, braking and acceleration zones.
What I have found this to be useful for is experimenting with braking zones, apexes and racing lines to see if there can be any more time found in them. Keep in mind, aside from a little bit of simulator practice, all of the national circuits save for Kyalami and Zwartkops were an unknown, and all of the circuits we have competed at have been configured on the Catalyst. Where it does fall short as a plug-and-play device is data collection with throttle and brake input – but these systems that connect directly into the ECU of purpose-built race cars are significantly more expensive and complex. That being said, with all of its functionality I still don’t believe I have fully leveraged its full capability but regardless, it has proven to be one of the most useful tools for us in the car.
Related: Kyalami Pole Position Lap Round 2 – 2024 GR Cup Ep 3
From the start of the season to now, my competitors and I have been able to improve our driving and race craft, all leading to more enticing lap times and I know that this would be the one ancillary evice to the season I’d like to continue using going into the future in my personal capacity!
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