Lilly Ihrke Racing

Adjustment Basics

Last week we quickly covered some of your most common handling terms, and described what they mean. So, today let's go over how to adjust for some of these handling issues since we now know what they are.

Before we begin, remember that identifying the problem is the first, and most important step in making adjustments. You must know what the kart is doing and what is causing the issue before you can adjust for it. So, keep this in mind while you're driving.

For an example... think to yourself "Does the kart lack drive off? Is the motor getting hot? Is the motor bogging? I'm probably RR tight." Once you diagnose the handling problem, then you can begin working on ways to improve upon it.

Remember to try just ＯＮＥ change at a time to help dial it in. You do not want to throw every adjustment at it and end up on the opposite end of the spectrum.

𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 - Last week we explained how there are two different conditions where the kart can be tight...
𝐑𝐑 𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 - The kart is overloading the RR, so make adjustments to take the load from it. 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙙𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨: more left side weight, more cross, less caster, less positive LF camber, move RR hub out.
𝐋𝐑 𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 - The LR is being overworked. 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙙𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨: less left side weight, less cross, more caster, more positive LF camber, less negative RF camber.

𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐡 (understeer) - Rear of the kart is overworking the front. 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙙𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨: more nose weight, more positive LF camber, less negative RF camber, increase rear stagger, softer front tires and/or harder rear tires

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 (oversteer) - Front of the kart is overworking the rear. 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙙𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨: less nose weight, less LF camber, more negative RF camber, decrease rear stagger, harder front tires and/or softer rear tires.

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 - As explained last week, this is really what you're aiming for every time you hit the track. Don't change a thing!

𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐭 - Handling well, but slow. 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙙𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨: more cross, more camber on both sides, more air, thinner tires, harder tires... just trying to "free" the kart up.

Now, these common adjustments are very vague, and apply to the entirety of the corner. If the kart is changing handling characteristics at either end of the corner (entry & exit), you have to adjust to find that happy medium. For example, a kart that is fairly loose getting in, but has a small push coming off should probably see a small decrease in cross weight percentage to resolve the issue.

Again, it's all in what you feel, and knowing what is causing the issue. Experience is key!