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Re: wheel rates on formula/sports racer cars

To: <Transmancat@aol.com>, <brian@uunet.ca>
Subject: Re: wheel rates on formula/sports racer cars
From: "Dr. Michael Kaske" <mkaske@techheadnet.com>
Date: Sun, 26 Dec 1999 17:23:34 -0600
Roger that.  There seems to be confusion on wheel rate verses spring rate.
A wheel rate in excess of 250# in a lightweight vintage car will result in a
car that will fell very jittery.  The frequency modulation becomes high
enough that you will loose lots of feel from the car.  Believe me, I've
experienced this in a Sports 2000.  While the car remained flat and stable
for ride height/pitch, (important with these)  when it was to the limit, it
went away REAL fast.

Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: <Transmancat@aol.com>
To: <brian@uunet.ca>
Cc: <vintage-race@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2000 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: wheel rates on formula/sports racer cars


> Hi Guys
> I have been following this thread because of two things. The first having
> been involved in FJ's a long time ago in the UK and second because I
actually
> like the challenge of setting up suspension systems on open wheeled cars
and
> trying to get it better than the next guy.
>
> OK lets take the point that the new generation are going for heavier and
> heavier spring rates. They are in a different game!  They use better
rubber
> than we can and distance between the underside of the car and the track
> surface is a critical factor in the way they want the car to work. This is
> not just for the F1 boys either, the lower ranks are also involved with
this
> stuff.
>
> If you fit 1000# springs to you car you had better get some good reaction
> times because, IMHO you are going to need them. They car will slide with
> great ease!
> The roll can be controlled with the right spring settings and the right
roll
> bar. From memory we used 350-450# depending upon the circuit and track
> conditions. That to was regarded as overkill by some! But it seemed to
work
> for us.
>
> Just putting in my . 02 cents worth.
>
>
> Regards,
> John
> Waterloo Drivetrain Systems
>
>


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