Fwd or Bwd brakes?

[Hank]

I have been reading that moving emphasis towards the back in braking makes for a nice sliding turn...

So I tried it and found that it's the deceleration *before* the turn where I lose control (I'm ok once I get into the curve if I've slowed enough)

With Braking much more forward, say, 62-66% I can slow rapidly and safely (relatively)

Any thoughts?

cheersfernow :))))))))))))))))))

[D_Man]

Hank with the bias set forward you lock the front tyres more easily and makes it harder to stop in a short distance. I use 51 to 52% depending on the car and track. This allows the back wheels to take more of the work of stopping. Aliens like Greger Huttu use 48% with left foot braking so that they can keep some throttle on to stop the car from spinningunder braking. I use a bit of throttle under braking to keep the car balanced.

I'm sure Matt, Paul, Mysh or John can explain it better than I can.

Another thing that affect braking is the ramp angles on the Coast side - ie the second number. Conservative diff settings have a low coast angle - usually 30. Aggressive diff setups often have 60 or 85 Coast side angles. I sometimes use 60/85 diffs which allow you to trail-brake deeper into corners.

If you couple the agressive diffs with rear brake bias you have a very difficult setup to drive with, but the aliens use them to get those few extra tenths they need for World Records etc.

[Cheyenne]

Hank, maybe as one newbie to another, I can offer something i've found, sometimes if you start to lose it under braking you can stab the brakes lock the tires and that will slow you and arrest any spin or loss of control. When you've slowed a bit let back up and you can generally continue again. Unless you're well into a spin that seems to stop a spin, and when you slow down enough you can regain control easily.

Give it a try at least. It's saved me from off road excursions a couple of times.

EDIT: Also for me, I've found the best success with 51-53% forward brake bias.

[WCvXd]

Brake Bias is almost a personal preference...to a point. The car will be much more stable under breaking if you use >55%. Once you start getting into the lower 50's you will notice that the car is less stable under braking, which is not a bad thing if you know how to use this instability to your advantage. If you are just starting out, I recommend a BB >55% until you get the hang of braking. Like D_Man said there, the low 50s will allow you to turn the car in better and hold more speed to the center of the corner.

Dont get me wrong though, you dont have to use a low BB to get fast. I know some people in the -30s who use around 56% and still get by with it. I cant do that becuase I just lock those front tires up too much...and thats a problem. Chey, it might be good to use brake lock to keep you from spinning now, but you will reach a point where you will beat yourself over the head trying to stop that! ;) If those front tires are locked, you will not turn into the corner. You have to bring it out of the lock safely, and thats a tough technique in itself.

Anyway, I run anywhere from 48-51% depending on car and track combination im running. This helps me in two ways: its easier to keep the front tires from locking, and its easier to get the car to rotate/yaw into the corner. Good luck! &(

[Hank]

Many thanx, Dave, Chey, WCvXd......
I'll be giving it a go right now :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

[DCMattius]

Another way to fix those spins. I read somewhere why this works, but if you feel the rear sliding you around, turn into the spin. It pulls the front straight again. You have to get use to it, but then it's natural.

DCMattu
Fair-Fun-Fast
Demolition Crew

[Hank]

thanx again all..... spent hours (far too many :)) ) trying out brakes and then last night right before going home I had another go in the Ferrarri.. that's with 62% fwds brakes as default!!!!

Got a pb @Glen and KNOW that I can get better there... with this car... and with 62% fwd brakes :)))))))))))

I think it might have more to do with my foot 'understanding' the (more) correct amount of squeeze to apply at the end of a long straight.... yeehaaaaaaaa!!!!

more practice 4 me :)))))))))))))))

ps.. Chey? u using your joystick for GPL? that's gotta be easier for braking, eh? ;)