what exactly does this specification measure ?
The distance between the left and right tyre tread centrelines in contact with the road with the wheels straight ahead.
why am i seeing front tracks wider than the rear on cars ? i would think you'd want the rear track wider....
The rear track is usually less because the rear tires are usually wider! Seems counter-intuitive but look at it this way: Car width: 1.75 meters front and rear front tire width 250 mm each, so subtract 2 x 125 mm for distance centerline to centerline and get 1.5 meter front track rear tire width 300 each so subtract 2 x 175 mm for distance, cl to cl and you get 1.45 meter rear track. Thus a smaller rear track. If the overall width of the rear is greater than the front than the numbers will change but usually you wind up with a smaller rear track-just as you have seen.
and hence a rear track of 1.4 meters--man-i am having a bad morning--but the concept is correct!!!! hey-don't blame me--no coffee yet!!
Turn-in is typically improved with a wider front track - especially since front tire width is typically more narrow. That is why F1 front ends are so wide. Given the huge rear tires (required for HP) the front end needs the additional leverage to rotate the car about it's CG. The same turn-in could be accomplished with more front tire width and a more narrow track - but then you'd be carrying all that extra unsprung tire mass around the track with you for no reason (RW drive). Rgds, Vincenzo
