Keeping You on Track

Find out how Absolute Alignment is keeping you on track. If you race or drive track days you'll find this pocket guide to race set up essential reading.

We all crave the ideal "set up" when driving on track, but do you know what to do to find it? With so much adjustable on the modern car, finding that perfect balance can be a nightmare - just where do you start? Our colleagues at BF Goodrich tyres have produced this handy guide to the basics of racing car set up. 

The rule of thumb is "one change at a time." It's also no good trying to drive flat out all the time, you need to find a consistant pace well within your capabilities so that any changes in lap time are definitely to do with set up and not your brilliance/mistake. Testing can be very dispiriting, so remember its about finding what *doesn't* work as much as finding what does. 

There is no substitute for track time. Does making adjustment "X" seem like a logical move? Then try it, the only thing that matters is the clock not the theory. 

Don't forget to record everything. Many teams of all sizes use Absolute Alignment's Bluetooth Pro Wheel Aligner both in the workshop and at trackside. The Bluetooth Pro has 20,000 custom set ups available for detailed recording so you can quickly recall "what worked here last time."

If you don't have access to your own wheel aligner, discuss your intentions with your local Absolute Alignment Approved Motorsport Centre, who will be able to help you find that elusive lap time you've always been looking for. 

 

Area of Adjustment		To Decrease Understeer	To Decrease Oversteer
Alignment Settings	Front Wheel Camber Front Wheel Caster Front Wheel Toe Rear Wheel Camber Rear Wheel Toe	More Negative More Positive Toward Toe Out More Positive Toward Toe Out	More Positive More Negative Toward Toe In More Negative Toward Toe In
Spring Rates	Front Rear	Soften Stiffen	Stiffen Soften
Tyres	Front Inflation Pressure Rear Inflation Pressure Front Section Width Rear Section Width	Increase Decrease Increase Decrease	Decrease* Increase* Decrease Increase
Anti-Roll Bars	Front Rear	Soften Stiffen	Stiffen Soften
Weight Distribution	Front Rear	Decrease Increase	Increase Decrease
Wheels	Front Wheel Width Rear Wheel Width	Wider Narrower	Narrower Wider

* Do not reduce tyre pressure below manufacturers' recommendation, and always increase in 2psi increments to gauge effect 

Happy testing, and we look forward to seeing you on the grid!

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