What's goin on w/ my turning?

[VBNSX]

Ok.. since the last time i've been to the track all I have added was the front type-r bars. There's a particular part of VIR that has a down grade and turn to the left then right.

Well before (meaning last time i was here) I used to brake, let the front end come down, go left and then excecute the rest of the turn accordingly. Now the car is oversteering while I turn left causing me to get a lil fishy before i even execute the right..... last lap of the day i went off course. Not a good feeling. Is this right? I mean I guess it makes sense to increase the cars' rotational ability but I just wanted to verify it with you guys.

all help is appreciated.

thanks,
-x-

 

[2slow2speed]

Ok.. since the last time i've been to the track all I have added was the front type-r bars. There's a particular part of VIR that has a down grade and turn to the left then right.

Well before (meaning last time i was here) I used to brake, let the front end come down, go left and then excecute the rest of the turn accordingly. Now the car is oversteering while I turn left causing me to get a lil fishy before i even execute the right..... last lap of the day i went off course. Not a good feeling. Is this right? I mean I guess it makes sense to increase the cars' rotational ability but I just wanted to verify it with you guys.

all help is appreciated.

thanks,
-x-

Hmm..

I think that you need to describe a bit more in detail what you are feeling. Do you get the oversteering feeling during corner entry with neutral throttle, or under moderate throttle? Are you trail braking at all into the turn, ie are you still on the brakes on the turn entry? Do you have the same feeling of oversteer when you go slower into the turn? How about any other turns, do you have the same problem on them (IE right vs left turn, on camber vs off camber, etc, etc)?

The other thing that you also need to keep in mind is that as tires wear down they do tend to increase their grip on the dry pavement, so it's always possible that your front end is biting more and that you are experiencing a bit more oversteer because of this (ie less understeer). Do you know if there have been any changes in the suspension geometry since your last event? Any changes in the alignment?, etc?

BTW: How frequently do you hit the track? It's always possible that you are approaching the turn a bit differently as you have done in the past if you are out of practice.

Ken

 

[VBNSX]

Re: Re: What's goin on w/ my turning?

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I think that you need to describe a bit more in detail what you are feeling. Do you get the oversteering feeling during corner entry with neutral throttle, or under moderate throttle?

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I get this feeling under slight trail braking. I brake, and start to execute turn. And before the car would feel like it would plow, then go into the turn really well. Now i would start the execution and then it's like it's just coming out too far in the back. I would say the feeling is closer under neutral throttle.

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Are you trail braking at all into the turn, ie are you still on the brakes on the turn entry? Do you have the same feeling of oversteer when you go slower into the turn? How about any other turns, do you have the same problem on them (IE right vs left turn, on camber vs off camber, etc, etc)?

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When I take the slower turns the car feels about the same.. the rotational momentum is just there.... Off camber turns tend to feel about the same (there's only 3 here) but it tends to hold the same.

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The other thing that you also need to keep in mind is that as tires wear down they do tend to increase their grip on the dry pavement, so it's always possible that your front end is biting more and that you are experiencing a bit more oversteer because of this (ie less understeer). Do you know if there have been any changes in the suspension geometry since your last event? Any changes in the alignment?, etc?

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Since I work on my car there have been no obvious changed in suspension geometry but i have noticed that my car is starting to pull just a hair to the right. Last time I did an alignment was probably last year.

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BTW: How frequently do you hit the track? It's always possible that you are approaching the turn a bit differently as you have done in the past if you are out of practice.

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I am feeling a little different about this turn.... but i think that's because when I hit the brakes then turn it just swings so wide.. i feel like i'm re-learning this. this is the only track I've ever been to and i was here last month.. and the month before that.

thanks so much for your assistance
-x-

 

[docjohn]

I would be lying if I could really help with just an explanation of what you are feeling.Often we minimalize and condense what is a rather complex lengthy synergy of many variables that go into what we percieve as handling and grip.The only thing I can offer is that the r bar is probably not the cause of your recent squirly handling.

 

[Peter Mills]

How are your brakes?

I was at the Glen two weeks ago and during trail braking into turn six, the rear would act like it wanted to come around on me. I had a right rear calipher which was binding causing this problem. Check you brakes.
Also try not to turn left to turn right. Stay far enough to the left side of the track within your comfort zone and without dropping a wheel, then make your right turn. By making so many steering inputs for this one corner,you're upsetting your stock suspension with the weight transfer going left to right when it should be going front to rear.