The engine performance data of a McLaren Artura GT4 supercar will be logged on the blockchain for real-time analysis of key components during the testing day at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
Race Lab, one of the five teams equipped with the McLaren GT4 in the British GT Championship, will install a blockchain-powered data tracker to capture 20 data parameters, including vehicle ignition timing, braking, oil pressure, engine temperature, steering angle and rotation, as well as gear switching.
Blockchain adoption in full-throttle
Blockchain’s adoption into the motorsport was made possible by Minima, a layer-1 blockchain for decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs) and data platform Influx Technology.
The partnership between Minima and Influx Technology allows the DePIN Data Logger to collect key metrics in real-time. In a recent test race, the blockchain data logger helped engineers detect a technical fault with the wheel’s turn radius and resolve it before the upcoming races.
Check out Cointelegraph’s guide to learn more about DePINs and their impact on the crypto ecosystem.
Headstart on insights
Speaking to Cointelegraph, Race Lab team manager Oliver Plucknett revealed the importance of data analytics in motorsport:
“Blockchain technology is being widely adopted throughout all major data-driven industries, and motorsport would fall behind if we didn’t start looking into the wide number of benefits it provides.”
Minima’s DePIN data logger secures the hash of the data, which helps prove its history and integrity, while the actual data is stored on the device independent of validators’ permissions.
Related: MotoGP’s Gresini racing goes crypto with new fan sponsorship program
Plucknett sees this as a benefit for racing teams. Open access to immutable historical data such as service history, engine tuning and maintenance ensures appreciated resale value for the supercars.
In addition, it also helps teams comply with racing regulations. Plucknett explained:
“After a race, the organizers need to validate that the cars have been racing according to the allowed specs. This means an official has to manually download the engine data and validate that the cars have not been tweaked.”
Plucknett said that such operations can take up to three hours in parc fermé before the winner is confirmed, “so having the immutable data transferred as the cars cross the finish line is hugely attractive.”
Lastly, having one data feed supporting multiple platforms could be a real game changer for fan engagement.
A part of the data collected through Minima’s DePIN data logger can be livestreamed to fans. According to Plucknett, “Recording this data as a whole could open up opportunities within the Sim racing world.”
Magazine: Longevity expert: AI will help us become ‘biologically immortal’ from 2030