I am working with a number of parents with slightly Autistic children who have begun to race Rage Carts. I am unfamiliar with these types of cars but physics is physics...geometry is geometry.
I ask about SAI (and scrub radius) because as I understand it, SAI can help to generate self aligning torque at the contact patch even in straight ahead if not set up for center point steering. I have always assumed that self aligning torque can be a good thing where steering feel is concerned, but, that self aligning torques create friction and thus sap speed. The motor in this type of cart in restricted form produces 6hp, so I believe that tiny differences at 50 mph might be meaningful...these are truly momentum cars!
I assume that if the center line of the bearing is the center line of the tire then we have what I might call center point steering? If my assumption is correct, there is no self aligning torque at the contact patch as long as the tire is pointing straight ahead? I imagine that the center line of the bearing and tire do not line up during a turn due to tire deformation at the contact patch?
The spindles and chassis are designed to flex during a turn and probably add some degree of camber while aiding weight transfer.
As a side note, it's quite incredible to experience 7-10 year old children driving at 50mph in a competitive environment! ...then there are those parents who expect the feed back of an F1 driver from their 7 year old when they don't win...one wonders! ...there's a correlation too...best gear, best car, best data acquisition equipment, most screaming.
Edited by meb58, 03 July 2013 - 20:25.