Der Gasser

[catchacab]

smankow wrote:

catchacab wrote:

A little exercize to show that it is not only speed that can affect outcomes. Pick any corner at any track, and note your speed at turn in, apex and track out. Next lap go down the straight at your turn in speed, turn in at that same speed without using your brakes, match the speeds at apex and track out if you make it hock:.

Eric, this is over simplified but I agree with you 100%. What this scenerio will show you is that weight transfer is also a major player in the negotiating a turn. If you follow this example, you will learn that either you can take the turn faster or you will not be able to make the turn and possibly spin. I'm not sure what you are trying to identify in this exercise, though.



Steve

Steve,

I am identifying that speed alone ( unless taking a corner at a truely unreasonable rate) is not thre primary cause of a spin or off track excursion. Weight distribution is far more important. Weight distribution in the corners will influence your line and can cause a spin or trun your car into a lawn mower.

Basic street drivers ed: today's cars are designed to under steer, because Ralph Nader said under steering cars is safer than over steering cars (No more rear engined Covairs, and yes they were air cooled too). What is the solution for understeer, increase the turn radius or reduce your rate of speed. At speed on the track if you decide at mid turn or exiting the turn to increase your turn radius you may run out of track (based on the asumption that you took the turn at your normal turn in point, to increase turn radius (straiten out the turn) you need to move your turn in point earlier, turn in less, while keeping your apex at the same point). Reducing your rate of speed in a turn depending on the attitude of the vehicle, may not be an advisable option, you may be better off going off at the track out point.

I just wanted to all of you to figure this out yourselves.

-Eric