Not to create a pun based on the name of their most popular camera model, but whoever invented the GoPro camera really is a hero to us and millions of others. In decades gone by, the only way to get the type of footage that can be easily captured with a GoPro was to break into a network’s bottomless equipment stash or strap a big old tape-recording video camera to the roof of your car, to the roll cage, or to ones helmet. Needless to say, a camcorder wouldn’t last long mounted to a 250+ race car, to a surf board, or to a dogs collar (yes, it’s been done).
Chris Demke and the Peen Rite team have been sharing footage from all sorts of creative angles on their race car the last couple of seasons, and last weekend at the NHRA Division 7 Lucas Oil meet in Bakersfield, California, grabbed a couple more clips while putting their camera and its mounting components to the test as it hung onto the front A-arm of their Top Alcohol Dragster like a champ at 272 mph.
While not a new camera angle by any means, the wide angle view and the distortion created by the fixed focal length camera provides a great vantage point of both the left front wheel and the rest of the Peen Rite dragster.
The camera is then mounted on the back of the roll cage facing the supercharger and injector, providing a front row view of the blown alcohol powerplant as it blasts down Broadway in less than 5.5 seconds. Also notice the debris just missing the left side of the injector on the launch, the blower belt gradually coming apart during the run, and the audibly awesome sound of Demke’s gear changes.
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