information on turns and lateral slides

S2000man01 · 07-13-2005

I'm arguing with some tool who claims that the fastest way out of a corner is with some lateral slide going on.

he claims that on a road course, the best drivers have a small amount of lateral slide out of the corner and that it's faster to do that, than to stay tucked into the corner.

Quote:

I'm talking about road courses. Get out of the parking lot, and watch a race at a real track. There is always a certain amount of slipping going on when a car takes a corner over 30-40mph, whether you identify it or not. That is how a car changes direction at highway speeds and above.

anyone have anything online that can help me prove this guy is clueless?

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Zzyzx · 07-13-2005

Technically a tire makes its best traction while "sliping" slightly sideways. its know as the Slip angle or Drift angle depending on who you talk to. Ushually its between 5 and 15 Deg off center depending on the tire (Radial tires ushually have lower slip angles then BiasPly tires)

More info here, Part 10 of the Physics of Racing, Grip angle
http://www.getfaster.com/Techtips/Physics10.html

So it could technically be said that Race cars actually do more of a sideways crab walk through a turn, though because all of the tires are "sliping" at about the same angle you dont really see it.

But, it doesnt sound like he's arguing about that, but rather Corner exit technique... not sure.

From reading the quote the guy is an Idot and an Eliteist... handling is universal no matter what speeds are attained. Be it on a road course or autocross. In fact slip angles and such will be more extream on a "slow" autocross course vs a road course thanks to the tighter nature of the turns.

jiggerachi · 07-13-2005

From my newfound RWD experience, you want to hammer on the gas on corner exit to plant the rear wheels & keep the car stable, this will sometimes result in a little slide action, but any sideways drift action is just wasting energy/tires/racing line/time & overcorrection from this can put you in a wall.

**note that this will cost you in mAd dRiFft00!!11 points from your ricer friends watching on the sidelines.

Zzyzx · 07-13-2005

Just for good measure, here's a link to the whole Physics of racing series

http://www.miata.net/sport/Physics/