Balance?

[Rook]

Is a 50/50 balance f/r ideal? Or does it depend on personal preferance?

[davidfarmer]

I think in a perfect world, a slight rear bias is preferred. A Porsche 911 is beyond ideal I think, although the 65% rear weight gives them unbelievable grip coming out of low speed corners.

 

In my experience, a sligh rear bias (55%) and a fair amount of swing weight helps grip and stability. Again, the 911 with short wheel base and low moment-of-inertial turn well, but are unstable once oversteer begins.

[Rook]

Swing weight?

[Renntag]

A quick online search shows that most info related to Swing weight focuses on Golf and Baseball.

 

It seems to be concerned with moment of inertia about a pivot point with respect to mass, gravitational field strength and distance from the pivot point to the center of mass and the period of oscillation.

That should clear things up.

 

I hope that helps.

 

Obviously if one driver feels a 55/45 balance is his preference and auto makers often boast of 50/50 balance....one would think that anything in this ball park is going to tend represent a well rounded, neutral handling automobile.