How to Read and Improve Your Lap Times with Aim RaceStudio 3

When you’ve spent a day at the circuit with your Aim data logger, there’s nothing more satisfying than downloading your session and discovering exactly where you gained, or lost time. But for many drivers, analysing that data can seem a bit scary.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to read and interpret your lap data using Aim’s FREE RaceStudio 3 software, so you can start turning your data into faster laps.

 

Why Data Analysis Matters

Every driver wants to go faster, but guessing rarely gets results. Data logging removes the guesswork. With Aim dashes like the Solo 2 DL, MXP, or MyChron6, every lap you complete is captured in detail: speed, throttle, braking, GPS position, and more. RaceStudio 3 transforms that information into clear visuals that show you exactly where improvements can be made.

 

Step 1: Importing Your Session Data

After your track session:

  •           Connect your Aim device to your laptop via USB or Wi-Fi.
  •          Open RaceStudio 3 and go to the Analysis tab.
  •           Select Download Data to import your session.

Your laps will appear with timestamps, circuit name (detected via GPS), and key statistics. If you’re running multiple drivers or vehicles, you can label sessions to keep your data organised.

 

Step 2: Lap and Split Times

The first thing to look at is your lap times and sectors (splits). RaceStudio 3 automatically divides your lap into sections, helping you see precisely where time is gained or lost.

Bonus tip: Don’t just focus on your fastest lap. Instead, compare your ideal lap, RaceStudio 3 automatically builds this from your best sector times. The difference between your fastest lap and ideal lap shows your consistency gap. If your ideal lap is half a second quicker, you know that your driving, not the car, is what needs improving.

 

Step 3: Overlaying Laps for Direct Comparison

Now comes the real power of RaceStudio 3: the overlay feature.
Select two laps (for example, your fastest and a slower one) and click Compare. You’ll see both data traces: speed, throttle, brake, and more, along a common track map.

Watch for points where one lap is faster:

  •           Speed trace higher on one lap? You carried more momentum through a corner.
  •           Earlier throttle application? You exited more efficiently.
  •          Later braking point? You’ve gained confidence on entry.

Small improvements in each corner quickly add up to a full second per lap, and RaceStudio 3 makes those gains visible.

 

Step 4: Using Channels

Each Aim logger records multiple channels, such as:

  •           Speed (GPS or wheel based)
  •          Throttle position
  •          Brake pressure
  •          RPM
  •          Steering angle (if fitted)
  •           Lateral/longitudinal G-force

In RaceStudio 3, you can zoom in on any corner and see how these inputs interact. For example:

  •           A drop in throttle before a bend without braking may show hesitation.
  •           A sharp brake trace followed by under-rotation could indicate lock-up.
  •           G-force graphs help you understand grip limits and car balance.

-       Learning to interpret these patterns helps you refine both your driving and your setup.

 

Step 5: Visualise with GPS Track Maps

RaceStudio 3 automatically generates a GPS map of your circuit, colour coded by speed. You can quickly spot areas where you’re slower than your best lap, often it’s mid-corner speed that makes the biggest difference.

If you’re running an Aim SmartyCam system, you can even sync your footage to the data. Watching yourself drive whilst seeing throttle and brake overlays is an effective coaching tool.

 

Step 6: Identify and Act on Key Insights

After reviewing your data, focus on three questions:

  •          Where am I braking earlier or harder than necessary?
  •          Where can I apply throttle sooner or more progressively?
  •           Where am I inconsistent between laps?

Make small, targeted adjustments on your next lap. Data improvements are measurable, repeatable, and often safer than guesswork as mentioned earlier.

 

Step 7: Keep Your Data Organised

Create folders in RaceStudio for:

  •          Circuits
  •           Vehicles
  •           Drivers
  •           Dates or events

 

This allows you to compare data across multiple sessions and track long-term improvement, ideal if you're racing regularly or sharing a car.

The New XRK

Your entire dataset is transferred into the RSA3 database. The Aim XRK file format has a greater capacity to capture larger volumes of data than the RS2 DRK files and using XRK will enable our database to fully leverage all the technological advantages incorporated in RSA3.

Anyone who takes their racing seriously needs to stop guessing and start analysing their race data with RaceStudio 3 now.

Download RaceStudio 3 here - https://www.aimtechnologies.com/support/downloads/software-downloads/race-studio-3/

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