Re: Question: What do YOU do to reduce understeer? (archive)

It's midnight before the AutoX at Marina tomorrow so a short but multiple response.
Henry Watt's in his excellent book "secrets of solo racing" states (I paraphrase here) that while others may offer a cookbook appprach the best way is to experiment, test read your own feed back records, keep good notes, adjust and repeat. Each driver, car, tires, race course etc. is different. Changing pressure definitely changes handling, so find out how if works in your particular case. I doubt if Mr Watt ever drove an MCoupe.
So Mark Sipe, one of our very best Solo II Coupe drivers Z3 Coupe) and national Solo II Champ, approaches the problem the same way. It depends.
My specific experince is that I should be treated:
a.
If you go to the SCCA home page, they offer a link to TP guidance that is strongly supportive of DPeete's. T.C. Kline, who modifies Z3/M roadsters and coupes for the race track also recommends DPeete's guidance. I to have found that changing the TP differential at autoX's on on-Track can have a big difference. My overall rule is to set the rear TP at 36 and the fronts at 41. This is normally a neutral to slight understear based on my driving style, event, tires (stock Potenza 730s) and course. If I need more oversteer I add TP to the front,
If you want more precise info regarding TP and perfomance get a digital pyerometer that allows you to quickly scan areas for fire and hot spots and keep the TPs more accuratley.
Based on my driving styles, car model, course, etc., I've always kept a log of my TPs and track parameters. My best starting point for my MCoupe (and coincidentally my new E46 M3) is at 41F and 36R, AutoX and track and then adust after each run.
You might want to invest in a pyrometer so that you or your creat can measuer cabin exhauust, etc.
.....gary

Hi ... On a post below "dp" and I differ on what to do regarding tire pressures and their effect on reducing understeer in our Coupes. I've been told that reducing front tire pressure will help ... dp says differently.
So, you auto-X guys and those of you who do lapping sessions ... What do the rest of you say regarding this topic?
Thanks for you input.

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