Different front and rear track width ??

[Ashish_FSAE]

It has been seen that FSAE cars have different front and rear track width.

I want to know which one is usually larger. and what are the effects / benefits of this difference.

Also, any other online reference's link would be helpful.

Thank you

[Ashish_FSAE]

It has been seen that FSAE cars have different front and rear track width.

I want to know which one is usually larger. and what are the effects / benefits of this difference.

Also, any other online reference's link would be helpful.

Thank you

[Thomas MuWe]

Put in some work and go through the FSG Programme form 2009.

Here you are! (http://www.formulastudent.de/fileadmin/user_upload/all/2009/venue/FSG2009_Programme_www.pdf)

Often teams use a narrower track at the rear because they want to avoid to hit cones with the back when they are already away from this cone with the front wheel. That is the cause I heard a lot of times.

At basic level:

Wide track decreases load transfer which is generally good for getting grip on that end of the car.
One disadvantage is that you increase usually weight, because of longer A-arms, push- or pullrods, tierods and driveshafts. Also the moment of inertia in yaw is increased a lot, because it is dependent on the lever arm of your wheels.

At the rear of the car:
A narrow track can be an issue with the drive shaft (if you do not go for 4 wheel drive). You need more angle for the same vertical movement of the wheel you would like to allow.

If you want to complicate the issue, then think of your tyre, i.e. its curves for lateral grip vs. vertical force, kinematics for a small and a wide body and the related track, the visibility of the wheels for the driver, etc.

[Luniz]

the front track of a FSAE Car is usually a bit wider than the rear. This makes it easier for the driver to not hit cones with the inner rear wheel in tight turns.

[The_Man]

FSAE cars mostly have the front tracks equal to or wider than the rear.

Apart from the reason Luniz has already pointed out. A shorter track at the rear is also helpful as during turning there will be lesser difference between the radius of curvature between the wheels, not causing the differential to lock to often.

Otherwise wider the track lesser the weight transfer. Mind you there is a rule for max percent difference in track width.

http://fsae.com/eve/forums/a/t...607348/m/30210532931 (http://fsae.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/125607348/m/30210532931)

[Ashish_FSAE]

Ya i've heard of this thing. Apart from this any other reason related to over dynamics of vehicle or turning radius?

[Ashish_FSAE]

Thank you for the info.

Can anyone please suggest some online source where i can learn about the basics related to these aspects of vehicle dynamics.

Or suggest some book where i'll get the related information.

Thanks.

[Hector]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Can anyone please suggest some online source where i can learn about the basics related to these aspects of vehicle dynamics.

Or suggest some book where i'll get the related information. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If only someone would put together a list of useful books and sticky it to the top of the main forum in bold letters. (http://fsae.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/125607348/m/1956095883)

In all seriousness, the search function would do you a lot of good. The whole "different track width" discussion has been had on this forum many, many times.

For books, Race Car Vehicle Dynamics is basically the bible of most FSAE suspension design. There are several other good books worth reading on the list.