autogyro wrote:In short oval racing the steering is relatively low geared or standard road ratio.
With a conventional steering wheel it is the thumbs that take the force.
The force is magnified by the low ratio and the much larger number of turns lock to lock than an F1 car. Power steering is also unusual in short oval racing as steering feel is everything. So there is no hydraulic back feed damping.
Forced feed back from steering would not be a good idea on any racing car.
vonk wrote:Steering feel derives from force feedback. Force feedback depends on the steering ratio. F1 cars have very low ratios, which would produce excessive force feedback to the steering wheel. Some (not all) of that feedback is absorbed by the hydraulic steering assist.
I think we may be using different definitions of what we’re talking about. Here is what I mean in simple terms:autogyro wrote:We are at crossed purposes vonk.
I totaly agree that feed back is designed into the steering geometry on any performance vehicle to increase the feel for the driver.
I was describing power steering feed back, which is counter (in most cases) to improved driver feel and would increase the force returned to the steering wheel in a crash.
High steering ratio = Several turns of the steering wheel, lock to lock (street car). Low steering wheel force (torque). Power steering mostly for parking.
Low steering ratio = Approximately one turn of the steering wheel, lock to lock (F1 car). High steering wheel force (torque). Steering assist to reduce driver effort.
To give the race car driver a feel of fine variations in lateral tire traction, the steering linkage must be rigid. This requires direct mechanical (non-hydraulic) connections throughout the linkage, with the power assist working in parallel. Of course, front wheel caster is the source of steering feedback. But caster is usually optimized for handling while steering feedback is conformed via linkage geometry and/or power assist.
