Brigade speeds to Road Transport Expo with champion truck racer Ryan Smith

Commercial Motor
June 19, 2023

 

Brigade Electronics will be in pole position at Road Transport Expo (June 28-30).

The company, in partnership with co-sponsor Northside Truck and Van, will showcase Ryan Smith’s seven-time winning race truck on its stand (R16).

Visitors to the show will have the opportunity to chat with Ryan Smith, and admire the race truck, which is equipped with a range of Brigade cameras.

The chassis of the race truck incorporates four VBV-790C cameras, strategically positioned for each wheel. Originally intended to monitor suspension activity, the cameras revealed an additional benefit during testing. The team discovered that the cameras could effectively monitor the heat sensor responsible for releasing water to cool the brakes when they reached excessive temperatures.

This revelation proved invaluable as the team had been annually replacing brakes at a significant cost ranging from £6,000 to £8,000. By realigning the heat sensor using the camera feedback, the team successfully prevented brake overheating and subsequent premature replacements. This breakthrough not only saved the team substantial expenses but also minimised downtime.

Ryan Smith said: "Brigade's cameras have saved us a substantial amount of money from not having to replace the brakes. The camera image is crystal clear. The quality is excellent. There is no flickering or delay, and I am pleased to have Brigade systems on my truck."

In addition to the wheel cameras, Smith's truck boasts a total of eight cameras. These include a VBV-790 at the rear for improved visibility during reversing manoeuvers, two VBV-320C cameras on the cab acting as wing mirrors, and one forward-facing VBV-320C camera within the cab. All cameras are seamlessly connected to Brigade's MDR-508G 2tb digital recording system, providing live access to camera footage.

Inside the cab, a pair of 7in monitors are positioned in portrait view, while a 10in monitor provides a clear view of the rear. These advanced camera and monitor setups contribute to increased safety, efficiency, and situational awareness for Smith and his team during races.

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