Wide Track or not important?
Discussion
Good morning all,
I've got a 1992 imperial narrow track Caterham, I have a friend who is looking at buying a Caterham and has only driven a wide track car.
The question is, would he notice the difference between them? He's made it a requirement when he buys one but I thought, unless hes driving at 10/10ths is it really necessary?
What are the advantages of a wide track car?
I know the obvious thing to do is for him to drive mine but I'm not convinced we will get the opportunity before he buys one.
Thanks in advance,
Ed.
I've got a 1992 imperial narrow track Caterham, I have a friend who is looking at buying a Caterham and has only driven a wide track car.
The question is, would he notice the difference between them? He's made it a requirement when he buys one but I thought, unless hes driving at 10/10ths is it really necessary?
What are the advantages of a wide track car?
I know the obvious thing to do is for him to drive mine but I'm not convinced we will get the opportunity before he buys one.
Thanks in advance,
Ed.
It's hard to say whether he will notice the difference, but I seem to notice. I've only driven other people's Caterhams in recent years, but I'd say the widetrack cars feel much better planted with good turn in and lack of understeer and that's all with on road driving.
So when I get back into Caterham ownership, it'll be on my list of essentials.
Bert
So when I get back into Caterham ownership, it'll be on my list of essentials.
Bert
BertBert said:
It's hard to say whether he will notice the difference, but I seem to notice. I've only driven other people's Caterhams in recent years, but I'd say the widetrack cars feel much better planted with good turn in and lack of understeer and that's all with on road driving.
So when I get back into Caterham ownership, it'll be on my list of essentials.
Bert
Thanks for the reply Bert. I will pass any comments on to him. I think I'll avoid driving a wide track car as I could see it costing me money!So when I get back into Caterham ownership, it'll be on my list of essentials.
Bert
I had both on my previous car, and I would agree with the previous posters comments about the feel. However I found the car much more stable on the road, and better to drive on track, especially mid corner. I would consider this a good upgrade, but not something that will radically change the car, just a small improvement.
HustleRussell said:
Narrow track is better in the wet, so personally I wouldn't consider wide track as a must have on a road car. Presumably the decision has been made on looks and the fact it's considered an 'upgrade' rather than anything objective.
I'm wondering if it's just cosmetic, why did Caterham create it in the first place as an upgrade?Bert
I didn't say it was? and even if CTrickle's friend's decision is based on looks, it doesn't make it any less valid- each to his own and all that.
The question was is wide track important. It depends. In my experience the benefit it gives on a dry track is cancelled out by what it takes away in the wet.
Caterham, by the way, wouldn't be the first manufacturer to market an expensive upgrade which is of dubious benefit to many of it's purchasers. It's a business after all.
The question was is wide track important. It depends. In my experience the benefit it gives on a dry track is cancelled out by what it takes away in the wet.
Caterham, by the way, wouldn't be the first manufacturer to market an expensive upgrade which is of dubious benefit to many of it's purchasers. It's a business after all.
Many folks, when converting to wide track, also change the size of the front ARB, and then report an improvement.
I'd suggest that any change in front ARB is much more noticeable than the change from narrow to wide track....
Simply changing the ARB on a narrow track car is far more cost effective....
However, aesthetically, it does stop the cycle wings rubbing on the indicator pods.
I'd suggest that any change in front ARB is much more noticeable than the change from narrow to wide track....
Simply changing the ARB on a narrow track car is far more cost effective....
However, aesthetically, it does stop the cycle wings rubbing on the indicator pods.
BertBert said:
I'm wondering if it's just cosmetic, why did Caterham create it in the first place as an upgrade?
Bert
The wide track suspension was originally developed for the 21 (to fit under the body). To carry out development work, the wide track was first fitted to a normal 7 because obviously the 21 didn't exist yet. The change in handling characteristics was quickly noticed and liked by the development team and therefore propagated its way into mainstream availability.Bert
In pure physics terms, a wider track will mean that: for a given cornering radius and speed, less weight is transferred to the outside wheel. As weight is more balanced between the two tyres, together they will generate more grip.
Edit: Just re-read your comment Bert, yes I guess you are right. It was developed for purely cosmetic reasons. So that the front wheels on the 21 didn't disappear under the wings and look stupid.
Edited by mharris on Thursday 23 July 18:24
TTwiggy said:
How does one know if one has a wide track?
The easiest way to tell is that the wide track cars have a hexagonal extension piece at the top of the damper unit. I've circled it here in red.
On a narrow track car the upper fixing on the damper is more or less right above the top of the spring.
mharris said:
TTwiggy said:
How does one know if one has a wide track?
The easiest way to tell is that the wide track cars have a hexagonal extension piece at the top of the damper unit. I've circled it here in red.On a narrow track car the upper fixing on the damper is more or less right above the top of the spring.
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