Expert: Dan Liddy - 5/3/2011

Question
Hi dave, I have been in the mind jumbling rock and a hard place in trying to get my car to handle better on my home track. I race at Shasta raceway park in anderson Ca. and have been trying to get the car to handle a bit better going in and out of the turns. i drive a 1970 olds cutlass 442 and currently my camber, i believe, is 2.5 on the right and 4 degrees on the left. I believe my toe is out by 5/16 of an inch. the problem i am running into is that my division goes both directions in the same event. our main event we do 15 laps one way and 15 the way. i am wanting to do something with my caster, i believe that doing something with it, i will be able to turn the car easier into the corners. if there is anything else you need to know to help me out, please let me know. thank you for helping

Answer
Hello:
If you are running both directions, you need the negative camber to be balanced, the same on both sides. Take your tire temperatures immediately when they come off the track, to determine what the camber should be. With most race tires, it's best to have the inside edge about 15 degrees warmer than the rest of the tire. I think I would start with 4 deg. on BOTH sides.  

Your toe -ut sounds about right depending on your Ackerman adjustments.

Finally, the old saying is "caster is faster" so find a way to increase it. Usually 5 degrees is a big help. You will have to have an alignment specialist to help you with this at first, because there probably isn't an adjustment.  In that case you have to move the upper control arm mounting back a little to accomplish the caster increase.

Those changes should help you some. You should also get the book "How To Make Your Car Handle" by Fred Puhn - - -it's an older publication, but very good. Most book stores have a copy or they can order it for you. It's about $16.00 and worth every penny. Also, be SURE to subscribe to Circle Track Magazine (Google it) It's worth it't weight in gold. with tech articles about handling, engine building, and all other aspects of race car mechanics. I'm strictly a road racer, and I find good stuff in it every month.

Good luck !

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida