rec.autos.simulators

I've been able to create cars that will qualify well, but once I fill the
gas tank, I lose stability during the race.

Thanks.

: I've been able to create cars that will qualify well, but once I fill the
: gas tank, I lose stability during the race.

This is what I learned with the original Indy 500.  Start your setups
with about 25 gals of fuel.  This will let you heat up the tires to more
or less normal temps by the time you get to 20 gals.  Start working your
setups to work well around 22-18 gals.  This is the most balanced your
car will be during the race.  Once you get a good comfortable setup,
fill 'er up and go out and play with the sway bar adjustments.  You
really want a car that will handle well on full tanks with the swaybar
adjustments set to their lowest possible stiffness.  I found that as the
car's weight lessened (fuel consumption) and the tires wore, I could
adjust the swaybars up a notch for about every 10 gals of fuel used.
This would bring the car back into balance and I could maintain turning
speeds throughout the fuel range.  

Another tip, when you start out on full tanks and cold tires set the
swaybars to the maximum (keeping the same ratio of front to back).  For
about every lap you run lower them a notch back until you have reached
the balance you need for the 30-40 gals. fuel load.  This should help
you out alot.  I still use this technique in ICR1 & ICR2, especially on
the ovals.  

When I first switched to NASCAR, I kept reaching for those swaybar
adjustments as the car lightened and the tires wore.  

Damn IT!  They weren't there.  It really makes for a different approach
to driving.  It was more important to have a good balanced setup and to
take GOOD care of the "tars" when driving those 3,000 lbs hulks around.

Happy racing!

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

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