Motorsport gauges are used to measure crucial engine parameters such as RPM, water or oil temperature and pressure, battery voltage or turbo boost and relay the information back to the driver in a visual form. The two main gauges located in the dash - the speedometer and the tachometer - provide important information regarding the road speed and the engine speed. Motorsport variations of these gauges are manufactured to offer the most accurate reading possible while meeting the demands of highly tuned race engines.
As competition engines are often run to very fine tolerances, they often require a driver to keep an eye on certain engine conditions to prevent an expensive failure and this is where auxiliary gauges come in. Gauges are available in electrical or mechanical operation types to suit individual application requirements from brands like Stack, while classic racing enthusiasts will love the range of Smiths gauges with their retro design. Both gauge types obtain their readings from sender units which are mounted inside the relevant engine components or areas.
Aside from the differences in how the gauges operate, there are different options for their appearance. These include various units of measurement such as PSI or Bar for pressure gauges and Celsius or Fahrenheit for temperature gauges. Further options include different colour dial faces and bezels to suit both modern and classic vehicles.
Then there are ultra-modern digital car gauges and forms of driver information that make all the difference out on the track. Lap timers and data loggers from brands like AIM Motorsport help to provide accurate, real-time data on how the lap is shaping up and when it's time to shift up or down through the gears to reach a new best lap.