Expert: Adam - 2/11/2006

Question
What are the physics involved in race car weight distribution? Why do cars go faster if more weight is forward or evenly distributed back to front and right to left? I need the physics please. Thanks. Aldo  

Answer
Thanks for the question Aldo. I'm not a scientist, so I can't give you the technical physics relating to weight distribution, just the layman's terms.

Generally , a car needs to be well balanced in order to go smoothly and quickly through the corners. If the balance is wrong laterally, then either the car won't handle well turning right or left (or both), meaning that the optimal traction is not achievable due to excessive slippage. The car needs to ride efficiently on its suspension, which only works well between certain tolerance levels, presenting an even profile to the air in order to generate the aerodynamic downforce evenly across the various aerofoils and diffusers. If the car is presented at an angle to the oncoming airstream, than the structures won't work so  efficiently and the downforce generated will be suboptimal, causing teh car to go slower through the corners.

Whether a particular car goes faster with its weight distribution central, forward or back depends on many factors including
the car's design
engine torque
chassis rigidity
handling characteristics
tyres
driver's preferred style
driver's weight/height
the track layout and surface (bumpy/smooth)

Some car/driver/track configerations require a lighter front end, others a lighter rear end. The physics define exactly which approach(es) are best, but as I say, there is no golden rule that applies in all cases, if there were then all cars would be equally efficient and of course they are not.

Sorry if this is not what you wanted but it's the best I can offer.

Adam