(By Jason Mazzotta) – Over the last decade the onboard camera technology has grown immensely due to the GoPro cameras. The high definition picture, sound quality, and picture stability in such highly tested scenarios has made the GoPro cameras the go-to camera for drag racers wanting to film their on track adventures. In this clip we see a little different perspective from a GoPro as it is not properly mounted and goes for a ride down the shutdown area after falling off a AA/FA at over 200 mph.
Rodney Flournoy, a funny car name from the past, made a return from retirement to wheel the AA/FA owned by George Doty named “Godzilla.” After completing his license renewal, he has competed in Fuel Altered events such as the March Meet, but this video takes us to a test pass from Bakersfield where we see the run from the view of the left side of the rear wing.
As the car leaves the starting line it is gaining speed quickly going through half-track, when the GoPro suddenly flips back and is holding on by a thread. As Flourney is approaching the finish line the camera abruptly detaches itself from the wing falling to the ground as you can hear the altered speeding away. From here on it is just the sound of the camera sliding on the ground, flopping around like a parachute. As the camera is starting to slow down and come to a stop it suddenly shuts off, not necessarily broken; possibly just hit the power button. Either way it is a different and interesting perspective that a GoPro does not usually capture truly showing the quality of the GoPro cameras as it is bouncing down the track, giving the viewer the perspective of a parachute rolling around behind a car.
should have mounted it with 200mph tap?
tape!
Takes a lickin’ and keeps on ticking!
hats off to GoPro though, they must be a tough little unit…saw some footage of one once that fell 10,000 ft after it parted company with a sky diver – just kept filming, even after it landed…
Mine survived!!
https://youtu.be/0hBEnCY9iwI