Quote:
Originally Posted by rhyary
Isn't the speed and radius also matter in term of front grip.
Meaning a setup for high speed swiping corner may not be the same for slow tight turn.
Adding to the comprised equation. Where do you want the car to have grip
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If we add aero (downforce) into the equation, then yes it does. If we approach it from a purely mechanical grip standpoint, then we take additional grip from aero out of the equation.
Take a tire for example that can generate 1.5g of peak lateral grip on a skidpad. Therefore, the peak amount of lateral grip through a turn (ignoring additional grip from aero) is 1.5g. So whether the turn is a slow and tight 30mph turn or a fast 100mph sweeper, the peak mechanical grip the tire can generate remains the same. This example assumes a car with no aero and generating no lift.
Adding aero in the equation makes things more complicated, as at higher speeds the additional downforce can create more grip (front and rear). Thus a higher rate spring is needed to support the chassis and not overload the tire and thus lose grip. But then the balance is compromised in lower speeds turns where aero plays no effect.
This is why optimal spring rates are so difficult to determine in the real world, as there are so many factors and the end result will always compromise in some area.