Weight distribution - whats best?

[Julian West]

I always believed 50/50 was perfect front/rear weight distribution.

However, I was told the other day it should be 40/60 front rear.

Anyone got any opinions & some science to back them up?
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Actually, the preferred weight distribution for racing is to have more weight on the rear. How much depends on the car and type of racing.

Two quick examples would be braking and accelerating. When you brake, weight transfers forward. If you begin with more weight to the rear, all 4 tires carry a better distribution of the braking force. When you accelerate, weight transfers to the rear. This gives you more traction for the acceleration. You would carry more rear tire than front. Cornering would then be more even through your tightest radius, where your acceleration or braking forces wouldn't be a factor.

 

[Robert Logan]

Julian,

The weight distribution that F1 use (if you can believe what is written) is 47 / 53 front rear which is what we have tried to get on our Roaring Forties GT40 replica's.

Best wishes,

Robert