Top 4 Track Performance Tricks
Are you a car enthusiast who loves to race or
participate in track events? Well, then you know that track performance is
critical. We will share our four-track performance tricks that you should keep
in mind to ensure you have the best possible experience during events.
Remember it’s not just about having a powerful
engine or great tires; there are several other factors that can affect your
car’s performance on the track.
Increase
track performance before and during events
We are diving right in and accepting that you
already know the basics of alignment before you start adjusting for the track.
If you do not know the basics, start here:
Track
Performance Basics – Before you go, Square it, Caster it, Camber it & Toe
it!
It shouldn’t surprise you to learn that one of the
biggest changes you can make to your vehicle’s performance and the lap times
you lay down are in your alignment adjustments. I say that it won’t surprise
you because you are here searching for information. Increasing performance
often doesn’t require any new parts at all.
The alignment of your wheels plays a major role in
performance both on the street and on the track. Alignment is often overlooked
and will give you a significant advantage, especially when on a budget. You can
gain the upper hand in any performance competition, be it autocross,
wheel-to-wheel, lapping, time attack, or any other competition.
The goal is to maximize each tire’s contact patch
and improve the ability to take a corner. Key adjustments in your alignment
setup will ensure as much tire on the asphalt as possible while improving the
sensitivity to change direction.
Before
You Head to the Track, Make Sure Your Vehicle is Squared for Best Track
Performance
Almost everyone skips the process of stringing the car, but it will be
worth your effort. You can make it much easier with a QuickTrick 5th Gen QuickString.
Our newest release is perfect for any location to speed up diagnosing and
correcting issues. Once you ensure your square, you can set caster, camber, and
toe and be ready. You should not have to string the car again UNLESS you run
off track, hit someone or something, or get hit (or add new suspension parts).
If you have any off-track incidents or impact the vehicle, stringing to check
thrust angle and alignment should be the first step you take off the track.
Changing
Caster and Camber will Usually Change Toe Settings
The toe is the most adjusted angle at the track, but it should not be
the first step. Always start with caster and camber. Having the know-how and
tools to work on the track will maximize your performance and speed. All QuickTrick
kits are equally accurate; you can customize your needs based
on your goals. The most comprehensive is the 5th GEN found here. You can watch
videos on 4th Gen and 5th Gen here:
Negative camber is a powerful tool in performance
driving. It will cause more wear on the inner tread of the tire in normal
driving, so re-adjust after track days if you are using a daily driver. The
angle of the wheel controls the amount of tire tread in contact with the track.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to make sure that
changing the camber angle allows your wheel and tire setup to clear your
suspension components and frame.
A vehicle running a positive caster increases the
amount of negative camber when the wheel is turned, which improves cornering
ability. There are limits (usually between six and eight degrees of positive
caster). You do not want to have so much that it causes a negative effect on the
tire’s contact patch. A positive caster will allow you to dial in more limited
levels of negative camber while increasing your handling capability. Adding
positive caster results in a car’s steering returning to center, improved
steering quality, and better high-speed stability.
The
Toe Angle is Far More Sensitive than a Camber or Caster
Start with small adjustments and keep things as
balanced as possible to find the right spot between aggressive turn-in and
stable braking and acceleration.
Getting your adjustments dialed in with driver
weight, fuel load, etc., is best.
We prefer using our QuickString,
but you can set up four jack stands and follow an old-school string method.
Here’s a demonstration:
The QuickString is the best way to reduce the chance of too much thrust
angle, which leads to dog tracking.
Ask around or do some research to find out the
track levels and degrees. People on forums are always willing to recommend a
track setup. Just check their stats to make sure they are achieving their
competitive goals and not running in the back on times and laps.
Racing suspension concerns thrust angle, caster, camber, toe, and tire pressure. These are the
keys to improving performance.
Be
Methodical in Getting the Most from your Alignment for Best Track Performance
Always write down your current setup. Make one
change at a time, and write down the result. Optimizing is a long process until
you get your rhythm down. Once you have it down, you will be more competitive
and stand out of the crowd, no matter what you drive!
Good luck at the track. You can always contact us
if you have questions. We will find it for you if we do not have the answer.
We
take great pride in our success and that of our QuickTrick Family
You will always get one of us when you reach out through email, chat, or
phone. We do not outsource customer service, and we manufacture in-house.
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