Thread: Split Left and Right Brake bias

Tweet

Got a question for you guys that are up on the road racing stuff.

I have a thought and I'm sure it's nothing new but thought I'd ask since I'm not finding much about it. In an AutoX or Road course event (SCCA Solo), why wouldn't a split bias left to right brake set work as a benefit? I could see using brake bias on one side depending on the turn being a benefit. You know, like a tractor. Brake late moving toward whatever brake bias works for the turn, ready for heavy throttle on exit. I'll be running a torque arm with Watts link so once dialed in, I should be able to get that torque to the rears. Of coarse the brakes (each side) would have to be split by very little so center could easily be found. Think it would complicate things to much? I felt like if I can figure out the face plated dog box (ordering a custom T56 Magum), toe/heal brake/throttle clutchless up and down shifts, surely split bias brakes couldn't be any harder to learn. The only road course experience I've had was years ago on two wheels so I'm a true blue newbie. I could've sworn one of the cars I looked over at the Pike Peak Hill Climb years ago had the set up I'm talking about.

David

For every day street driving, I could interlock the pedals just like a tractor.

David

Some high-dollar new cars have a similar system, but computer controlled. I see no reason why your "organic computer" couldn't operate a split brake system if you wanted to. Take some getting used to, though, I bet!
You might want to have the split brakes operated by a hand lever, with a foot pedal to run both together. Or maybe not....

Maybe some kind of electrical selector valve to split the pressure, and "paddle" switches on the wheel working with the foot pedal?

Seems to me you'd get to the point where you needed both pedals only to have them offset, and the only way to get on both is to release the one you're on. Like heading into a left at speed you get on the left pedal only to find that you're coming in too hot and, HOLY SMOKE I GOTTA HAVE FULL BRAKEs But with the left pedal down you can't simply roll you foot onto the right side too without losing some pedal pressure on the left. About that time there's hay flying everywhere
I could see it maybe working to some advantage via computer controls linked to the steering & speed with one pedal, but I can't see split pedals working out well. Might be fun to watch, though....

Most of your braking is done prior to corner entry to keep the car stabilized, you begin accelerating prior to or at the apex of the corner. Braking in the corner will upset the balance on the car and have an adverse effect on how soon you can get back on the power from the apex out. However, on circle burners it isn't all that rare to see a restrictor or a bias valve on the line to the left front brake, especially on dirt tracks. It's usually against the rules, but I've been told there have been some "creative engineering" types who have found ways and places to hide such a device!!! A similar setup might help on corner entry speeds on a road course, but unless it were electronically controlled the driver is just usually too busy on a road course to have time to do it. Then there's also the rules issue, in most every class up to the prototypes, the tech people would be against it.

Lol Roger. I'll be sure and have it video taped for you.

David

Ok. What you say makes sense Dave. So I'd be bound to some sort of electronics. I'll look into the regulations. I'm finding out I'll probably not be participating in the SCCA Solo events. Too many regulation. So I imagine I'll be restricted to club events and an occasional AutoX.

Thanks,
David

Pope,

Do they make left/right valves? Like the front/rear biasing on combi valves. It's my understanding some of these use the inertia of the vehicle to transfer bias hydraulically?

David

Not up on the hardware on new cars, just read how they operate. Just from past experience driving stock cars years ago, I think your idea would just raise the driver's work loads with no advantage. And there's the rules thing I never thought about.
As said, you brake going into the turn, then power around and out. I wouldn't want to be feathering the brake at that moment, just too many irons in the fire at a critical time. If you think you can handle it, go ahead.