[Ron Sutton]

Originally Posted by Sieg

Wider/Deeper entry when possible?

I'm not sure if this question is an attempt at humor between you & "Drive-Thru" or if it's a real question.

Just in case ... I'll answer it seriously.

Typically ... as in 8-9 times out of 10 ...
The tighter the corner is, the faster strategy is keep the car out wide longer, go deep, brake later, turn later, turn more (quicker) and get more (60-70%) of the turning done before mid corner, apex later ... and do less turning (30-40%) on exit ... which straightens out the exit to a degree, adding traction for quicker throttle roll on & acceleration.

The larger radius, faster speed, more sweeping design the corner is, the less this strategy applies. What typically works better in big radius, fast corners is to be wide on entry, split the turning 50/50 between the first half & second half, run a low, middle apex & wide exit out to the edge of the track.

The key is to understand these concepts ... apply them both to different degrees ... and see what's faster.

There are exceptions for many reasons ... but the most common reason an optimum line on paper doesn't work on track ... is the track surface itself. In the real world ... bumps, surface transitions, irregular surfaces, banking/camber and even where tire rubber gets laid down ... all play a role.

Another exception is the set-up of the car. I don't think I can count as high as the many different suspension combinations that can be run ... that affect what the car "likes" and therefore what lines work best. Set-ups with higher roll angles are more edgy ... and therefore more sensitive to specific lines & driver smoothness. Flatter set-ups are more forgiving and versatile, typically able to run more different lines on the track.

I have a great racing buddy ... that was a terror on track and could win from the back ... say one time, "You know it's funny. We spend all practice day running the "perfect line" ... then come race day ... when they throw the green linen ... we drive everywhere on the track but the perfect line ... to pass cars. Only the leader can run the perfect line the whole race ... and then only if they're not under attack."

This is one of many reasons I prefer flatter running suspension set-ups. Because in racing, if you're passing cars, you gotta go where they're not.