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Left and Right handling consistency

Motorsport Wheel Alignment Fundamentals

Relevant Module: Wheel Alignment Terminology > Wheel Base & Wheel Track

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Discussion and questions related to the course Motorsport Wheel Alignment Fundamentals

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When facing a racetrack with more turns to one side than the other (for example more right corners than left corners), is it common to set up the car in a way that favors those right turns? Would that in turn affect the track wheel track and wheel base to not be consistent from one side to the other?

As a separate example, in oval racing is this a common thing to do?

Thanks!

Usually where the track has both left and right turns, the balance will be symetrical, but a small advantage may be gained biasing the set-up to gain more on the most frequent corners, as long as the vehicle is still stable and there isn't to much lost on the 'wrong' turns.

With oval track cars, it's common practice to adjust the rear axle to steer the car, whether to compensate for tyre slip, or to increase aero' pressure on the side of the car.

Of course, it comes down to what the rule books allow.

Every race track that doesn't cross over itself will end up turning 360 deg more in one direction than the other.

I am aware of one track where the important high speed turns are mostly to the left, and the slower "more than 90"" turns will be to the right. In that case, setting the car up with about 5% additional cross weight (Front Right / Left Rear heavy), will tend toward understeer in the left turns, and oversteer in the right turns. The car can be easier to drive, and therefore faster.

On a banked oval setup, just using a stiffer spring (10-15%) on the right rear will free up the car and you see less "speed scrup" in the turns. Pure oval setups will often have totally wacky setups, different wheel bases, positive camber on the inside, negative on the outside, etc.

We usually reply within 12hrs (often sooner)

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