September 2010

The Physics of Racing Part 2: Keeping your tires stuck to the ground

In last week’s article, we explained the physics behind weight transfer. That is, we explained why braking shifts weight to the front of the car, accelerating shifts weight to the rear, and cornering shifts weight to the outside of a curve. Weight transfer is a side-effect of the tyres keeping the car from flipping over during manoeuvres. We found out that a one G braking manoeuvre in our 3200 pound example car causes 640 pounds to transfer from the rear tyres to the front tyres. The explanations were given directly in terms of Newton’s fundamental laws of Nature.

This week, we investigate what causes tyres to stay stuck and what causes them to break away and slide. We will find out that you can make a tyre slide either by pushing too hard on it or by causing weight to transfer off the tyre by your control inputs of throttle, brakes, and steering. Conversely, you can cause a sliding tyre to stick again by pushing less hard on it or by transferring weight to it. The rest of this article explains all this in term of (you guessed it) physics.

The Physics of Racing – Part 1: Weight Transfer

Global Racing Schools presents a series of articles aimed at improving the understand of the physics behind racing. For novice and seasoned drivers alike, these are must read articles if you wish to improve the way you race.

Part 1: Weight Transfer

Most autocrossers and race drivers learn early in their careers the importance of balancing a car. Learning to do it consistently and automatically is one essential part of becoming a truly good driver. While the skills for balancing a car are commonly taught in drivers’ schools, the rationale behind them is not usually adequately explained. That rationale comes from simple physics. Understanding the physics of driving not only helps one be a better driver, but increases one’s enjoyment of driving as well. If you know the deep reasons why you ought to do certain things you will remember the things better and move faster toward complete internalisation of the skills.

Racing Intimidation – A Mental Game

Do you pay more attention to other ranked racers in the field that have had success? Do you compare yourself to other drivers when you get to the track? If you answered yes, then you are a candidate for psyching yourself out of the race. Psych-outs are usually self-induced based on your paying too much attention to other riders. It happens in all sports —rookies or younger athletes worry too much about the competition instead of what they need to do to race their best. Just the reputation of a rider can make you feel intimidated—if you let it!