Quote:
Originally posted by Brian Cameron
So what did it do to your lap times to go 1 or 2 inches wider, gentlemen?
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That's a hard question to answer. If you're still in the first few years of tracking your car, then your lap times are going to continue to drop, no matter what changes you make (or don't make). You're still learning to track the car, and your absolute best time one weekend will just be your baseline the next time you're at the same track. It will drop, considerably, from visit to visit. At least, that was the case for me as I went from 7x8 wheels all the way up to 9.5x11 with the same drivetrain. My lap times kept dropping, but they'd drop on the weekends where I hadn't done anything to the car just as reliably as when I'd made wheel and tire changes. I was simply getting better at what I was doing. What's more, alignment and suspension changes (even settings) go into the same mix, and are going to have a huge impact on lap times. As you dial in your driving and your suspension, you're going to get quicker, period.
Mahler9th's points are well made, especially if (like him) you're able to drive at your car's actual potential. Look at what your class winners are doing, and start from there. Tire technology keeps improving, and the guys at the head of the pack have probably done most of the current work already -- that's why they're winning.
