Nick Tassie - no fax machines back then either. They didn't come into regular use until the mid-80s, believe it or not.

One of the first "data logging" set ups I saw was Rodger Freeth's ex-Crowe starlet, which had cables running from the suspension to a series of pointers that ran across a graduated scale. A VHS video camera recorded the movement of the pointers as he drove and he used that to change suspension settings. And that was hi-tech in its day (late 80s?).

I'd agree that it was a PR exercise, a bit of American sports-phsycing going on.