Ok so i hear that Champ and most race cars run cross caster, as in the caster on the LF is not equal to the RF. So this improves turn in ..but how can this be effective for a course that have both left and right turns....or do they just set it up for the majority of turns (CW trac has more RH turns)..or is it cross caster just helps both ways....

I could not find anything in my books on this.

 

In an ITA CRX that runs up in the NW the right side wheel base is shorter than the left allowing the car to handle the right hand turns better (the one track this took place at is a very right handed oriented track).

This is roughly the same thing as cross caster. Remember however, with different cars and suspension setups it is possible to change caster without chaing wheelbase and that form of cross caster would be different than what I explained above.

I know exactly what I need to explain but I don't know how to best explain it. I hope somebody chimes in with an illustration.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rice_classic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In an ITA CRX that runs up in the NW the right side wheel base is shorter than the left allowing the car to handle the right hand turns better (the one track this took place at is a very right handed oriented track).</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hmmm...Maybe I need to try this...but I really like running up front.

Rick

 

Be careful about running an asymetrical alignment set-up on a road course with left and right hand turns. Make sure that your data is not coming from a discussion about ovals where the cars turn only one way. Lime Rock Park is one of the rare road courses that I have heard of asymetrical set-ups as it has only one left turn and otherwise all the rest are rights. I have always and plan to continue only using a symettrical set-up on my cars.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turfer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hmmm...Maybe I need to try this...but I really like running up front.

Rick</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, next time you're racing in the NW try to stop by the driver of the Red and Black CRX and ask him some questions.

 

The only thing assymetrical I ever do is tire pressures. I let the pyrometer set my pressures. If all 4 are different to get the tire temps to look right, so be it. Aside from that, not worth it for the majority of tracks IMO.

 

Asymetric caster is probably a good trick for ovals, but I'm not sure about road racing. Might work at a track like Lime Rock, but it won't brake in a straight line. I had an asymetric caster issue with my car when I first bought it, due to a bent LCA. Wheel base was 1/4" shorter on the right side. Braking zones were interesting. The car steered hard (to the left, as I remember) under braking. I checked everything and replaced the RF LCA and knuckle. That fixed it.

I'm a fan of asymetric front camber on some tracks; Road Atlanta for example...give up just a little in #5 and #10a and be on rails everywhere else makes sense and it prevents excessive wear on the inside of the right front tire when neg camber on that side is reduced.