Hey Choate51 got a quick question I've read all your tips and they are great and I will use that informations at the nurb. But when you say change your break balance is there like a thing when you race that you can notice like how to change it I was guessing its like how much you burn your tires less burning tires you increase balance and more increase balance you turn the balance down but I'm guessing I'm wrong
Ph1sher, this could get long so buckle up.
Short version, I go with the brake bias that wears the tires in the way that enables my driving style.
Long version: So let's pick the Viper @ Indy a couple weeks ago as an example. Typically I go into these races with anywhere from 10 to zero laps of practice. The viper race was 7 laps before qualifying. I typically start all of my enduro races (anything greater than 30min) with a brake bias of 0/0 or 1/0 with rear wheel drive cars. I will go 0/2 on any front wheel drive car to start.
So I started off at Indy with 0/0 because it was going to be a 45 minute race with a probable pit stop. Due to my lack of practice I do this to enable longer tire wear from the get go. The less brake pressure, the lesser the friction being applied down on the tires. The enables for a smoother transition of the weight of the car as well. However, it gives a side-effect of a greater braking distance but in a very controlled manner, and due to my braking style I can drag the brake through the entry of the corners allowing for a smooth transition of the front end weight when I completely let off the brake.
After 10 laps or so I noticed the tires were wearing well, so I turned up the brake bias to enable shorter braking distances and to use the tires up a bit more. I could be more aggressive. But due to the viper being a powerful RWD car I changed to 6/2 for a bias. This would increase my tire wear, decrease my brake distances and allow for a quicker lap time, but not for long. Also with the heavy front bias this would prevent the back end from stepping out and wearing the rears out any more than I want to.
Problems happen when you lose the balance of the car. That occurs in an enduro when the fronts or rears wear quicker than the other axle. If the fronts wear out quicker than you will have under-steer or even worse the dreaded push then loose condition. If your rears wear out faster than you will have an increase in over-steer, be attempting to catch a car from spinning out. But for my driving style I prefer an over steering car versus an under steering car.
So for me when I adjust the bias during the race it is to allow for me to maintain the balance of the car throughout the stint. Like for example, when I get bottled up in traffic for a few laps I will add some rear bias, maybe 1 or 2 clicks more. This will help negate the effects of the understeer condition that is observed during pack/drafting situations. thus allowing me to keep a good balance on the car.
Another point I'd like to make with brake bias is it's a great way to manage your race. If you need to make a pass on a guy but you can't find a way to outbrake him, bump your brake bias up a lap or two before you make the pass. This will allow you to anticipate the decrease in stopping distance you now have and you can make the pass. But, don't forget to put the bias back.
In the end, it's not as simple as turn the brake bias down for better wear, or turn it up for more aggressive wear. It is a very good tool to assist in different wear patterns, but what everyone should use it for is to improve the balance of the tire wear. Use it to allow for smooth entries into corners. IF you use your brake bias properly you can really prevent the sliding or drifting that I see some having trouble with from week to week. Sliding the car and counter steering like Colin McRae might be fun, but it ain't fast.
*sorry for the long winded post*
I stopped and waited on you, and I never could get back to you.
had fun racing you. I do remember passing you the second race and you disappeared right after
Sorry you got disconnected
That would be frustrating.
But I've practiced there alot over the past year or so, and he still beats me there, just not as bad. Soooo practice practice and then practice some more and you will be fine.👍
