Why not use the highest possible track?

[delacf]

Hi, friends

If I design a car why not use the highest possible track. Why designers do not use the maximum track that allows the regulation to minimize the lateral transfer? What factors influence this? What is the reason? Thank you very much

Regards, delacf

[Belatti]

The only cars I have seen designed with a shorter track than what was possible it was because of aerodynamic reasons (touring cars). A wider track would put the tyres directly against the airflow.

Another reason may be (although I havent seen) in racing cars that have to go through narrow roads, like autocross for example and a shorter track can help a bit while negotiating tight chicanes.

[delacf]

Hi, Bellatti

In the Formula Ford is allowed: Maximum width: 1850 mm

Ray GRS09 however uses a front track of 1525 mm, giving a maximum width of about 1678 mm and Van Diemen a front track of 1626 mm giving a maximum width of 1778 mm. The Van Diemen is closer to what I consider logical but still could extend an inch or two.

In others racing series I've seen that fact.

Regards,delacf

[Belatti]

Was the 1850mm rule implemented before or after those chasis were designed?

[delacf]

Gran pregunta. Although they could have redesigned the suspension, right?

Look for more information.

Regards, delacf

[Belatti]

Its not easy though. You can increase track:

1) using rims with different displacement
2) using supplements (at the expense of increasing rotational intertia and NS mass)
3) changing wishbones lenght
4) changing wishbones pick up points

and any combination of the others...

Change any of them your suspension geometry changes too.

Does the FFord has pushrods? If it has, another thing you have to take into account...

[Tim.Wright]

Yes increasing the track will generally help grip but you also must remember that a wider car must make a larger radius trajectory in a given corner as compared to a narrow car.

In my experience with laptime simulations, the trajectory through a corner has a massive effect on overall laptime performance. The closer you can keep the CG to the turn apex, generally the faster you will take the turn.

When you make a wider car, you need to position the vehicle more towards the centre of the track to make sure the inside wheels are still on the road.

A perfect example of how important trajectory is to speed is the way the drivers throw the cars through the chicanes at Monza.

These cars are setup to fractions of a millimeter and the aero is developed to such a fine degree, and what do the drivers do? Smash the whole thing as far over the curbs as possible, because its simply the fastest way. The most important part is to get your trajectory right.