Race Car Handling Optimization: Magic Numbers to Better Understand a Race Car

The reader will first learn to measure his racing car himself in order to ultimately get to know and understand the car’s setup better. This is followed successively by the teaching of the basics with the claim of immediate applicability of the knowledge. First, the most important properties of the tyres are described in order to convey how to optimally utilise the properties of the tyres. Only then are the mass-spring system, shock absorbers, anti-roll bars, suspension geometries and aerodynamics dealt with, with the aim of making the best possible use of the tyres’ potential. What has been learned is optimally applied to driving through a curve, divided into five essential phases of the corner, and an analysis for possible causes of understeer and oversteer is carried out for each phase, and solutions are given. Finaly examples of laptime simulations are being described, and the book ends with a very clear description of the calculation of the Magic Numbers regarding Roll, Roll Resistance, Load Transfer and Total Wheel Load. – About the Author: ​Prof. Dr Ralph Pütz teaches combustion engines and transmission technology at Landshut University of Applied Sciences. As an avid motorsport enthusiast and active Formula 3 driver, he also regularly passes on his experience to his students in the practical course Motorsport Practice and Chassis Setup. Ton Serné is a trained mechanical engineer who has spent more than 40 years working on the subject of the road holding of racing cars. He has not only been a mechanic, race engineer, team manager and designer, but also a racing driver in formula racing cars and touring cars. He would like to pass on his experience and knowledge to young students.