Motorsports gets so complicated. “Ahead of the Curve” explains it in plain English. Get race-proven insights, insider secrets and practical tutorials. Plus, be first in line for podcasts, courses, spreadsheets and more.
[YDD] The engineering definition of understeer (for drivers!)
|
Ahead of the Curve This week: Understeer defined | Master Your Tyres update "ed" Two letters that I hope will change your relationship with understeer and oversteer for ever. As you well know Reader, these at two terms that get used with abandon in the paddock. Everyone has a strong view on what they mean. My concern, is that not everyone has the same view! Firstly, I totally acknowledge the simple versions that include seeing trees (or not!) and expletives (describing the front or back of the car...) I get that. But what do the terms really mean? This week I'm sharing a lesson-never-seen-outside-the-Master-Your-Tyres-course [link] on how I think about them. This lesson is from the Pro module in the course - when I really start to level up on the technical depth. It introduces the proper engineering definition, but in a way that remains applicable for drivers. I hope you enjoy it. And the "ed"? Well, how do you think about these terms when you add those letters? Understeer-ed Oversteer-ed. Subtle but different right? And that is because these terms are not really about your steering wheel inputs, but about your cars body angle relative to the path you're travelling. In motorsports we tend to focus on these terms in the extreme; when you steer more and more but nothing happens, or when you spin. But, it might be helpful for you to think about these terms in more subtle ways too. I'm sure you already do, but maybe don't describe it as understeer or oversteer? Hopefully this will start to bring everything together. Take a watch and let me know: Remember the challenge questions for you at the end are:
Hope these get you thinking. Ah, and bonus points if you already know what swing ball is! Good luck staying ahead of the curve, Samir p.s. Next week I'll be sharing some exiting news and updates about Master Your Tyres. If you've been thinking of picking this course up, you might want to hold off for a few days... 😊
|
Get the Ahead of the Curve - weekly.
Motorsports gets so complicated. “Ahead of the Curve” explains it in plain English. Get race-proven insights, insider secrets and practical tutorials. Plus, be first in line for podcasts, courses, spreadsheets and more.
Ahead of the Curve n This week: Testing on old tyres – Worth it or waste of time? Hello Reader, You might hear people in the paddock declare that testing on old tyres is a complete waste of time. But is it? This might be fine for them but what if you don't have an unlimited budget for tyres, care somewhat for the environment and/or find yourself restricted by series regulation? You know that new tyres will give you more grip and that they will perform differently. But will the information...
Ahead of the Curve This week: Your prioritises | Mass effect on Accel | Updated How-to Ever get the feeling your car's job list seems never-ending, Reader? As soon as you tick off one job, another five appear! It is so hard to prioritise... ...even worse, when members of your team have different opinions on what is critical (or not)! Here is how you can make this easier - with Maths! What is more important... Now? A team I work with asked me to help add a little objectivity to a "discussion"...
Ahead of the Curve This week: A new workshop [link] | Coachineering at your service Your AiM data can tell you how to drive faster. If only you knew– or could remember– how Reader! I was coachineering a leading racing driver recently. A very successful businessman, and one who takes no prisoners. He knew his AiM data could probably help him – he’d just never done it, nor even seen it done well. He’d been sold on the dream of data but all he’d experienced was a frustrating nightmare. After...