How to corner really quick in a Chimaera
Discussion
Bit of a follow on from CT's thread about track cars, I didn't want to hijack so thought I'd start a new one...
So, how do you go round corners really quick in a Chim? I've been embarrassed by MX5's on track, although with the brake issues I've had I have been slowing for corners far more than others.. I'm currently running on T1R's, and I know I've reached the limit of grip with them... I know that with, for example, triple eights I'll have far more grip, but I'm expecting (after having them fitted) that beastie's cornering will be relatively the same in terms of behaviour, but going through the corners a bit quicker... So, I have what I would call a 'benign' understeer, the turn in is quite 'vague', although I could probably sharpen it up by using more throttle through the corner... When I was a youngster I had a Lotus 7, and I always felt in total command in the corners, I could pretty much steer the car on the throttle, with easy and often one handed steering input..
So, I feel I need to overcome the understeer, and use more throttle... Any thoughts???
Chilli
So, how do you go round corners really quick in a Chim? I've been embarrassed by MX5's on track, although with the brake issues I've had I have been slowing for corners far more than others.. I'm currently running on T1R's, and I know I've reached the limit of grip with them... I know that with, for example, triple eights I'll have far more grip, but I'm expecting (after having them fitted) that beastie's cornering will be relatively the same in terms of behaviour, but going through the corners a bit quicker... So, I have what I would call a 'benign' understeer, the turn in is quite 'vague', although I could probably sharpen it up by using more throttle through the corner... When I was a youngster I had a Lotus 7, and I always felt in total command in the corners, I could pretty much steer the car on the throttle, with easy and often one handed steering input..
So, I feel I need to overcome the understeer, and use more throttle... Any thoughts???
Chilli
Thanks for all the replies guys...
I already have the following... baffled sump (bought in the group buy earlier in the year), Gaz Mono's, 400/500 springs, geo set up and corner weighting courtesy of Mat Smith back end of last year, I've had an instructor out with me at Snetterton last year, but had brake judder issues so didn't get the best out of the session... Further instruction is at top of list.. I've upgraded the brakes, front 300mm rotors and 4 pots, DS2500 and braided hoses all round...
The three things at the top of my list are fit baffled sump, a new drivers seat, and tuition. I can drive the car pretty much on the limit of the T1R's, but the standard seats are shockingly unsupportive in the twisties and I spend more effort trying not to slide about in the seat than accurately pointing the front wheels in the right direction.. I did a lot of Karting in my younger days and know the value of a seat that holds you in the correct driving position all the time... I use trailing throttle through the bends, maintaining balance of the car and hence optimum grip, and I'm on it as quickly as possible on the exit, feeling the rear grip and feeding in the power accordingly...
It's just the damn understeer at turn in I seem to be struggling with.. I haven't tried turning in whilst still braking, I know this should tighten turn in, but I might leave that until I have someone who knows what they're talking about sitting next to me...
Thanks for all the input chaps,
Chilli
I already have the following... baffled sump (bought in the group buy earlier in the year), Gaz Mono's, 400/500 springs, geo set up and corner weighting courtesy of Mat Smith back end of last year, I've had an instructor out with me at Snetterton last year, but had brake judder issues so didn't get the best out of the session... Further instruction is at top of list.. I've upgraded the brakes, front 300mm rotors and 4 pots, DS2500 and braided hoses all round...
The three things at the top of my list are fit baffled sump, a new drivers seat, and tuition. I can drive the car pretty much on the limit of the T1R's, but the standard seats are shockingly unsupportive in the twisties and I spend more effort trying not to slide about in the seat than accurately pointing the front wheels in the right direction.. I did a lot of Karting in my younger days and know the value of a seat that holds you in the correct driving position all the time... I use trailing throttle through the bends, maintaining balance of the car and hence optimum grip, and I'm on it as quickly as possible on the exit, feeling the rear grip and feeding in the power accordingly...
It's just the damn understeer at turn in I seem to be struggling with.. I haven't tried turning in whilst still braking, I know this should tighten turn in, but I might leave that until I have someone who knows what they're talking about sitting next to me...
Thanks for all the input chaps,
Chilli
QBee said:
Picking up the camber point, mine has handled better since my TVR guy brought a laser thermometer to Snetterton and checked my tyre temps as I stopped in the pits. On standard road set up the outer edges were a lot hotter than the inner edges, so next time in the workshop he changed the camber by a degree and it now handles better with a lot less understeer, and the temperature after 10 laps on track is even across the front tyres.
I have my front dampers as hard as possible to reduce dive under braking, but run with the rear dampers on a soft road setting, as I found the rear of the car hopped on tight corners otherwise.
So in Gaz Gold Pro terms, (20 clicks from soft to hard, of which my poor old fingers can access 16), I run the fronts 16 clicks up from soft, and the rears 6 up from soft. It suits me.
Chilli, if you are at a loose end tomorrow, take some anti car sick pills and come over to Cadwell Park for some passenger rides. 4 TVRs on track, including Graham's Cerbera 4.5, which is substantially faster than my Chim.
Love to A, but I'm in the middle of moving house.... As always offer much appreciated... I have my front dampers as hard as possible to reduce dive under braking, but run with the rear dampers on a soft road setting, as I found the rear of the car hopped on tight corners otherwise.
So in Gaz Gold Pro terms, (20 clicks from soft to hard, of which my poor old fingers can access 16), I run the fronts 16 clicks up from soft, and the rears 6 up from soft. It suits me.
Chilli, if you are at a loose end tomorrow, take some anti car sick pills and come over to Cadwell Park for some passenger rides. 4 TVRs on track, including Graham's Cerbera 4.5, which is substantially faster than my Chim.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff