Racing software has become highly sophisticated and useful. We shouldn'tbe afraid to use the computer to help our racing effort. Computers andsoftware are only tools that help us make critical decisions aboutengine tuning and chassis setup.
Today, nearly 100 percent of the U.S. population either owns or hasaccess to a computer. Even the older racers down on the farm are typingaway, one finger at a time, to send e-mails and correspond with fellowracers on the many message boards available on the Internet. Advancedcommunication that spreads the knowledge of racing technology has neverbeen faster or more helpful.
Over the past 20 years, companies haveworked to develop software packages to help racers understand their carsand perform calculations and simulations to perfect setups and drivingstyles.
Some racers are skeptical of using racing software and dislikebeing told how to set up their cars. Chassis setup is a specializedtask, and the process used is somewhat confidential. Knowledge is power,and keeping an open mind may lead to the discovery of small performanceimprovements. Remember, no racing software program will set up the car,but it will provide critical information to make decisions.
Everysoftware package offers value to the racer. Just like books on racing,all offer helpful routines and information that will aid your effort. Ifa team bought all of the available software that related to its racing,the total cost would be less than what we might spend on tire testingover a year's time. Let's take a look at the various software programsthat are available and learn a little from the suppliers about how theycan benefit your race team.
AutoWare Inc. is a distributor and developer of racing related software.It carries software from other developers such as Racing Innovations andPerformance Trends, and "House Brand" programs specifically for circletrack racing.
Front Suspension Geometry Pro
Just as the name implies, this is a comprehensive three-dimensionalfront suspension program. A unique feature of this software is the inputscreens that have actual photos of suspensions with the requiredmeasurements drawn on the photos. The software covers typical parameterssuch as roll centers and creates a computerized model on your screen.You can then run the suspension through its travel and watch the camberchange, side scrub, bumpsteer, caster change, and more right on the
screen. It includes graphs and suggestions for changes to your geometry.Rear Suspension Geometry This is a software package that addressesthree-link suspensions and Late Model four-link (floater)-style rearsuspensions. It has the same photographic input as the Front SuspensionGeometry Pro software. It creates models on the screen and allowsone-wheel bump, body roll, squat and lift motions, tracks pinion angle,fore/aft movement of the wheels, and, most importantly, axle steer forall of these motions.
Computerized Chassis Weights
A calculating machine! This software calculates everything from centerof gravity to roll couple distribution. Motion ratios, roll centers,crossweight, and more are addressed. An extremely valuable function isthe weight transfer calculations. The software is great for seeing howweight transfer is impacted by banking angle, spring changes, Panhardbar changes, etc.
Tire Temp Analyzer
A cool tool for asphalt racers. This program gives you suggestions forsetup changes based on tire temperatures, rim temps, lap times, hot andcold pressures, corner weights, and more. Great when you get a brainfreeze at the track and need a jump-start.
Chassis R&D Corporation is a company that has specialized in technologydevelopment related to circle track racing for the past 10 years. Thecompany has produced two software packages that assist racers in thesetup of their race cars.
Front Geometry Software
This is a two-dimensional program that accurately locates the front rollcenter in both static and dynamic positions, and calculates the controlarm lengths and angles as well as camber changes after the car dives androlls in the turns. The entire program code was developed and written bythe company and addresses the most critical components related to frontsuspension dynamics. A unique feature of this software is that it allowsthe user to redesign his or her race car. You can quickly change the armangles and arm lengths by simply typing in new values. This allows youto make improvements to your car and see the results on the computer.
Chassis Setup Software
This software is the result of advanced research in race car dynamicsand was designed to help the racer find the optimum base setup forspecific tracks. The program is a much needed tool that will calculatethe "balance" of the chassis for ideal weight distribution in the turnsusing a unique patented process. The user can quickly see how the frontand rear of the car are working and match the efforts of both ends bymaking changes to the spring rates, roll center locations (front andrear), and weight distribution. The result is a car that has bothsuspension systems in harmony and working together, which is what allrace cars need. The necessary data for the calculation is easy to enter,and the process of finding the best setup is fast and accurate. Whenproperly done, the results will show on the racetrack through not onlyadded speed in the turns, but more consistency on long runs andthroughout changing track conditions.
William C. Mitchell Software
Mitchell's Racing by the Numbers suspension geometry programs have beenused for 20 years by racing teams around the world. The latest program,WinGeo3, is available for the Windows operating system. It is acomplete, three-dimensional suspension kinematic program for doubleA-arm, MacPherson strut, and a variety of solid axle suspensions,including three-link, four-link, and truck arm. Steering may berack-and-pinion or drag link.
The user can manipulate the chassis inride height, body roll, pitch angle, and steering input. WinGeo3displays all of the suspension characteristics, including camber, toe,caster, kingpin, instant center, roll center, Ackermann, and side-viewswing-arm (SVSA) values. The results are displayed on the screen as wellas in tables or plots. The user can manipulate the chassis to specificpositions or run through a range of values to mimic the movement of thecar through a turn or to produce a bumpsteer curve.
Chassis position canbe specified by ride and roll values, by spring or shock displacement,or by clearance values.
WinGeo3 can compare two or more suspensions. Thesuspension is displayed with solid-model graphics that aid visualizationof the suspension. WinGeo3 also includes suspension tutorials thatdisplay the lines needed to calculate an instant center or roll center.
The Premier/Data version of WinGeo3 uses on-board data to specify thechassis position through shock displacement and steering input. Thiscapability can animate suspension movement for a complete lap or at aspecific position on the track.
An upcoming version will add a vehicledynamics capability, allowing the user to specify springs and bars andcalculate a steady-state solution for specified g-forces. This willallow the user to calculate dynamic wheel loads with a variety ofsprings and chassis settings.
The Racing by the Numbers series ofprograms also includes a gearing program, a brake calculator, and theDebrief3 data analysis program.
Performance Trends is a software company that has developed someinnovative packages for understanding your car's setup and motorcombinations. Here are the software programs that are most appropriatefor the circle track racer.
Roll Center CalculatorThis is a simple two-dimensional front suspension layout program. Itcalculates roll center position, camber change, and wheel rates fromspring rates for double A-arm or MacPherson strut suspensions. It letsyou move the suspension through dive and roll and watch the roll centermove and the camber change.
Circle Track Analyzer
The Circle Track Analyzer is a complete vehicle and lap-time simulationprogram. It includes the roll center calculator as the front suspensionscreen, and also includes engine power curve, vehicle, rear suspension,and track screens. From this information, it predicts lap times;on-track roll; dive; dynamic corner weights; lateral/longitudinal andvertical g's; engine rpm range; optimum gear ratio; and much more. Ithas several built-in utility screens to calculate spring rate, weightpercentages, and even "virtual scales" to let you know how much to jacka spring to get the desired crossweight.
Suspension Analyzer
This program deals with the suspension only. However, it is a completethree-dimensional program for both front and rear suspensions. It letsyou do steering inputs such as bumpsteer and Ackermann, antidive, casterchange, rear roll steer, pinion angle change, antisquat, front-to-rearroll couple, and more. Other "adjust" and "optimize" options show theeffects of shimming the upper arms or changing ride heights, or findsettings for minimum bump steer, roll center height change, and muchmore.
DataMite Data Logger
This product is an electronics and sensor package that records what ishappening on the track. It can record various engine parameters,accelerations, shock travel, steering travel, wheel rpm, etc. From thisinformation, it can calculate A/F ratio, tire slip, lap times, frictioncircle analysis, general dive and roll of the vehicle,brake/throttle/steering wheel position, and track location. When linkedwith Suspension Analyzer, it can also show exact dive, roll, steer, rollcenter location, camber, caster, Ackermann, squat, and rear roll steerat any location on the track.
Computerized Chassis Setup from Steve Smith Autosports calculates abaseline chassis setup for optimum racing performance. This screen showsa recommended starting setup for a 2,800-pound Sportsman car racing on a1/3-mile slightly banked paved track. Included in the setup are springrates, shocks, weight percentages, and crossweight. Computerized ChassisSetup also contains additional resources to compute many otherfunctions. This function calculates the exact location of the front rollcenter.
Steve Smith AutoSports offers several computer programs that are quiteuseful for all short-track racers. All programs come on CD and arecompatible with all Windows operating systems. Complete operatinginstructions are included with the programs.
Computerized Chassis Setup
This program calculates a baseline chassis setup for optimum racingperformance. It specifies a starting setup for a competitor's particularrace car and track. Weights and measurements from a race car are enteredinto the program, along with information about the type and size of theracetrack, type of tire, track banking, and so on. The program thenspecifies spring rates and shock absorbers for each corner, sway barrate (if the car uses one), corner weights, weight percentages, andcrossweight. Computerized Chassis Setup also contains additionalresources to compute minimum tire stagger, proper final gear ratio,front roll center, roll couple distribution, and front antidive. It alsocontains a program to calculate the spring rate of a coil spring, leafspring, torsion bar (solid or hollow), aftermarket sway bar, and stocksway bar. This program is useful for any racing vehicle running on adirt or paved oval track--Street Stock, Sportsman, Late Model, Modified,Sprint Car, etc.
Race Driving Simulator
The Race Driving Simulator allows the user to explore different racinglines. A standard late apex line, wide in the entrance, allows a driverto get to the throttle sooner and make a late apex while acceleratingout of the turn.Trail braking and following the inside edge of the track. This producesa line that is shorter and may be quicker, with a possibly higher exitspeed. The combinations of driving lines, braking points, and throttleapplication are infinite with Race Driving Simulator. It allows the userto pick the decision points for braking, turn-in, and throttleapplication, then compare various lines to find the fastest combination.
Race Driving Simulator teaches competitors how to develop the optimumracing line for quick lap times. By defining certain parameters, a linearound a corner is generated and split times are read off the screen tocompare different approaches to the corner. Users can learn when to apexearly or late, and when to use a diamond line. They can evaluate thetrade-off between mid-corner speed and getting on the throttle early.The program helps drivers know when to sacrifice speed in order to geton the throttle sooner. Conversely, they can learn when to maximizecorner speed at the expense of early throttle application. The simulatorcan even demonstrate when exit speed is over-rated. Race DrivingSimulator provides a study of how the car's capabilities--power,cornering, and braking--relate to racing line choice. Not only is thisuseful for lowering lap times, but it can also teach users how to altertheir lines to pass an equal car, or how to set up a re-pass maneuver.The combinations of driving lines, braking points, and throttleapplication are infinite with this program. You can define a tracksector, which includes the braking area, the turn (including turn radiusand track width), and the exit. This program allows you to pick thedecision points for braking, turn-in, and throttle application. Comparethe resulting lines for time and speed, with a plot of speed andg-forces for any point in the turn. The Race Driving Simulator is ateaching tool for the serious racer, not a hand-eye coordination game.The program includes substantial built-in help pages. Race DrivingSimulator applies to all rear-wheel-drive racing vehicles running onpaved tracks.
TirePro Computer Program
TirePro from Steve Smith Autosports quickly and easily performs adetailed analysis of tire temperature data. Individual elements in theAnalysis Results screen in the upper right-hand corner can be selectedfor analysis and chassis tuning suggestions. This screen shows wheelcamber change suggestions. The program analyzes tire pressures and givesspecific suggestions for pressure adjustment. This program also analyzescrossweight and gives specific suggestions for adjusting the chassis.Other screens analyze camber, toe, tire pressure, rear stagger, andoverall vehicle handling, with specific chassis setup changes suggestedin each section.
Most racers are aware of the immense value of taking tire temperaturesto analyze the handling of their race cars. But many don't understandhow to interpret the data that can be derived from tire temperatures.Tire temperatures are one of the most crucial diagnostic tools availableto race teams at all levels.
The TirePro program quickly and easilyperforms a detailed analysis of the temperature data, providinginformation on tire pressure, wheel camber, handling balance,crossweight, weight distribution, and stagger. The built-in analysisidentifies chassis problems, then suggests specific chassis changes toimprove handling. In the analysis window, the user can choose fromindividual graphical depictions of toe-in/out, tire pressures, rearstagger, crossweight, and handling.
Each analysis suggests what settingsneed to be adjusted. As the racer goes through the analysis options, therecommendations include the order in which changes should be made. Forexample, the toe-out screen notes that camber should be adjusted priorto setting toe-out. This ordering of procedures is a valuable reminderto experienced racers and an important guide for rookies. (Do all theright things in the wrong order and you'll be chasing the setup formonths.)
The screen for entering the tire temperature data has fields inwhich to identify the car, track, session (heats, qualifying, feature,etc.), and the weather, as well as a "tires" field where the brand,size, or hardness of the tires can be noted. TirePro allows the user toenter many sets of temperatures and save them for future reference oranalysis. You can analyze current readings instantly or browse saveddata sets to find previous situations similar to those you're facing, tosee what did or did not help the car.
A nice feature is a searchablehelp section to make finding answers to questions fast and easy. Thehelp features are accessible from virtually any part of TirePro. TireProis useful for any race car running on a paved oval track, and for carsrunning on hard, dry dirt surfaces when tires build up adequate heat.
Conclusion
There are many computer programs that will enhance yourunderstanding of circle track race cars and provide critical informationabout your car that can help you make key decisions on chassis setup.Contact these companies and visit their Web sites to learn more aboutwhich ones are right for your racing program.
Editor's Note: This article was compiled by Bob Bolles, who foundedChassis R&D Corporation.
*This story originally published in July 2004 issue
