Get Ready For The New Season With Our 'Countdown to Racing' Checks! – Febuary 2026
- Feb 2
- 6 min read
Could the Aim MX Strada Light Series Be Your Go-To Dash Display?
Hello and welcome to our February Newsletter! With many teams now out testing, the days getting longer (slightly!) and the prospect of the new season closer than ever, now is the time to make sure your video and data systems are tested, prepared and ready to go for another year of on-track action. In this month’s newsletter, we offer our four-point essential checklist to get you race-ready for 2026.
This month, we’re shining the spotlight on the Aim MX Strada Light series of dash displays which are perfect for ‘plug-and-go’ applications where full data logging isn’t required. We’re also highlighting some 2026 updates and improvements to the ever-popular VBOX Circuit Tools 3 so read through to the end of this month’s newsletter to see what’s changed for the new season!
Countdown to Racing!
Teams and club-racers will now be working flat-out to get their racecars into the best possible shape to start intensive testing and preparation for the start of the 2026 season. Naturally, mechanical preparations will be paramount, with new parts and spares being ordered and prepared. Don’t, however, forget your data and video systems in the focus to get out for the first time. Problems in the garage could waste valuable track-time or, worse, lead to scrutineering problems. Here are our four essential checks to ensure a smooth start to racing in 2026.
1) Is Hardware Tested and Checked?
You may have been working extensively on developing your car mechanically in the off-season but what about your data and video systems? Chafed wires can cause data glitches and video break-up while dirt and moisture from off-track excursions and contact in 2025 could be the cause of equipment malfunctions in early-season racing
JB Data Engineering supplies, installs, services and repairs data and video equipment from all major manufacturers. We can check and prepare your systems in your workshop and ensure you’re ready to go when the pitlane light turns green for your first 2026 session.
Call JB Data Engineering on 00(44) 7717 562169 or email jordan@jbdataengineering.co.uk to book your pre-season data and video check before our diary fills up!
2) Are You Camera-Compliant?
Technical regulations for many series, and increasingly now at club-level, have strict requirements for the placement, installation and wiring of in-car cameras. Don’t find yourself on the wrong side of a penalty by overlooking regulations that could have been misread or misunderstood. We’ve worked within a wide variety of domestic series as well as national and international competitions so we know exactly what you need and how to position and connect cameras.
To discuss your requirements, email jordan@jbdataengineering.co.uk and explore how regulations could affect what you need and how we can help.
3) Training Is Never Wasted
With the best will in the world, we’re all busy and sometimes don’t read the instruction manual as carefully as we should when installing new systems. Data and video installations offer a huge number of features, many of which get overalooked after the initial set-up. With the right training, you could potentially knock seconds off your lap time, using the vast amount of data that is available to you.
JB Data Engineering has worked with a long list of clients and we are experts in providing the support you need to get the most from your investment in video and data systems.
4) Getting Up To Speed
Those first test sessions can be daunting, especially if you’re entering a new series or haven’t been on track for a while. JB Data Engineering can settle those pre-season nerves by supporting you trackside during your early-season sessions. We can check that your data and video systems are providing the information they should, show you how to download and interpret data and how to work with data AND video. This will help you leave those early sessions with the confidence to approach opening rounds armed with the information you need.
Although the diary is filling up fast, call us now on 00(44) 7717 562169 to book your slot for JB Data Engineering trackside test session support.
Our friends at VBOX are, at the time of writing, about to release a major update to their highly successful Circuit Tools 3, the package that provides drivers with synchronised video and data insights to identify where lap time can be gained without the complexity of traditional analytical tools.
The release adds new and enhanced features as well as making the software faster. New features include:
Measure Tool - a new analysis tool that allows the user to measure channel data between two points. Select a region on the graph or map to see minimum, maximum, average and delta values for selected channels in the region.
Full Screen Video Window - Double-click a video to show the full screen then press Escape to exit.
Lap Colour Selection - The ability to change individual lap colours has been reinstated, allowing you to customise the appearance of each lap trace.
File Transfer Wizard Shortcut - Press F2 to quickly access the File Transfer Wizard for quickly copying files from an SD Card.
…….. and many more!
(If you’re not familiar with Circuit Tools 3, this video from VBOX offers an excellent overview of what has now become an essential tool for many successful racers.)
Focused Improvements For Quicker Lap Times
In addition, improvements such as enhanced map box zoom, faster file loading, track map display and ideal lap video generation have been introduced, making Circuit Tools 3 the perfect addition to your VBOX video and data systems.
As soon as the update is released, we’ll be the first to let you know so you can start exploring the new features.
JB Data Engineering supplies, installs, supports and provides training on the full range of VBOX products and can provide expert advice to guide your investment and improve your lap times.
Call JB Data Engineering on 00(44) 7717 562169 to explore how we can help.
Above: VBOX technician installing a camera on a new installation. Checking cables for snags and breaks now saves time when you get to the circuit. (Photo: VBOX)
Focusing on the Apex: Why the New Aim MX Strada Light Series Could Be the Perfect Cockpit Upgrade
When it comes to on-track success, information can be as valuable as mechanical advantages or horsepower improvements. For many club racers and track-day fans, the Aim MX Strada Light Series has become the go-to digital dash display, offering a balance of professional data presentation combined with simplified installation.
Aim MXS 1.3 Strada Light 5” TFT Car Dash Display with Race Icons (Photo: Aim)
No Compromise - Whatever the Weather
The outstanding feature of the MXS Strada Light Series is the high contrast 5-inch or 7-inch display. In the pressure of competition, visibility in the cockpit can be compromised by vibration, glare or low ambient light. The Aim MX Strada Light Series utilises an integrated ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts brightness, ensuring that whether you’re racing in mid-summer sunlight or under the lights in an endurance event, your chosen data outputs are crisp and readable at a glance.
Plug-In Simplicity
Unlike more complex data loggers that require an understanding of wiring harnesses and sensor connections, the Aim MXS Strada Light Series is designed for a ‘Plug-and-Go’ experience via a CAN connection direct to your ECU. This simple attachment can access over 1,000 industry-leading ECUs and allows you to sample dozens of channels, including throttle position, oil pressure and water temperature, without needing to link to individual analogue sensors.
Four configurable analogue inputs allow for additional custom sensors such as brake pressure or steering angle if you wish.
Aim MXG 1.3 Strada Light 7” TFT Dash Display with Race Icons (Photo: Aim)
Add Lap Timing and Cameras
By adding the Aim GPS09 Module Open, also supplied by JB Data Engineering, your Aim MXS Strada Light can provide predictive lap timing, showing you exactly how your current lap timing compares to your best session time. Two camera inputs (cameras sold separately) can switch your display into a mirror camera through a push-button command or event management.
Aim MX Strada Light Configuration Options; JB Data Engineering can guide you through your choices.
The Aim MX Strada Light Series offers the club racer many of the benefits of full data logging without the challenges of wiring and complex installation. JB Data Engineering can supply the complete Aim MX Strada Light Series, provide a full installation and set-up service and train you on how to get the best out of your system. Click here or call us on 00(44) 7717 562169 to discuss how we can help.
(Please note that the Aim MX Strada Light Series is non-logging. If you require a data logging solution, we offer equipment from the world’s leading suppliers. Visit www.jbdataengineering.co.uk or email Jordan@jbdataengineering.co.uk to discuss how we can help.)
Lights Out and Away We Go !!
Wherever you’re planning to shakedown your new car or test in readiness for the new season, we wish you the best of luck and we hope your 2026 campaign gets off to a flying start.
Don’t forget that JB Data Engineering is always at the end of the phone if you need advice or guidance and, subject to availability, we can be wherever you need us to resolve your data and video issues before the new season’s track action starts to earnest.
We hope to see you in a paddock or workshop soon.
Have a great Febuary
The JB Data Engineering Team.
Jordan
