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Re: Classing Cars with Physics

To: autox@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Classing Cars with Physics
From: "Tony Ford" <EGFord@mazakcorp.com>
Date: Mon, 07 Aug 2000 16:48:35 -0400
Like someone said before, the the larger mass car will turn over sooner because 
the overturning (roll) moment acting thru the center of mass will be greater. 
But since you have infinite grip, the driver would succumb to the G-loading 
first. If the grip is not infinite, then we should look at the yaw moments 
front and rear to determine which is greater; determining whether the car will 
understeer or oversteer at the limit. That limit will be greater for the 
smaller mass car for a given amount of grip because of the lesser yaw moment 
relative to the amount of grip. Also the greater mass car will have the 
aforemnetioned higher roll moment which will lead to reduced grip on both ends, 
if not counteracted, and maybe even if it is. Of course the argument could be 
made that the larger mass(weight) car will naturally have larger tires(just 
common sense), so the grip levels WILL be different........ UGH! 
This is probably all wrong. Great question, tho. 


Anthony C. Ford
Mechanical Engineer
Mazak Corporation
(859) 342-1382
FAX  342-1537
B-Stock Cendiv #25
'99 R-model


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