• From: Oakridge
  • Registered: January 19, 2009
  • Posts: 76

Topic: Wheelbases

I'm building a new club car for the Heidelberg 1/32 track.  The wheel base for this car is shorter than my other cars, which leads me to wonder, on a track with sharp turns, a shorter wheelbase seems advantageous, to a point.

Is there a ratio for wheelbase to wheel width that is optimum for a sharp turn race course (keeping motors, weight, tires, etc.... all constant)?

Thanks.

Finishing second, isn't much better than finishing at all........  (I believe a David Pearson quote)
  • wb0s
  • wb0s
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Vancouver, Washington
  • Registered: June 16, 2008
  • Posts: 5,576

Re: Wheelbases

I believe the bigger factor is in the guide flag lead (length between the rear axle and the guide flag pivot point).  My understanding, and what I have seen in testing is; the shorter the distance the "quicker" the handling (car will negotiate changes in direction, and tighter radius turns quicker). A good source for information regarding slot car chassis theory is Dave Naylor. Dave has a website with a forum here:

http://oregonmodelracing.com/index.html

-------------Bill

wb0s's Website