Revisited: Want to Get Your Car Handling Better Than Ever Before? Listen to This.
About this episode
Bruno Finco from Optimum G joins the Tuned In podcast to discuss vehicle dynamics and suspension kinematics. The episode revisits key insights from their previous conversation, emphasizing the importance of optimizing tire contact patches for improved car handling. Bruno explains complex concepts like roll center, camber curves, and bump steer, making them accessible for enthusiasts. He also shares practical advice on using Optimum G's software for suspension design and performance analysis, highlighting the significance of understanding tire behavior in racing. The discussion is rich with technical details, making it a valuable resource for those looking to enhance their automotive knowledge.
*** We’ll be taking a break over the Christmas/New Year period and will be back in action mid-January.
That means that although there won’t be any new episodes for a few weeks, we’ll be taking another look back at some of our favourite episodes. ***
Are you sick of playing the guessing game when it comes to setting up the suspension and tyre systems in your race or road car? If you’ve ever felt like you’re throwing alignment adjustments, damper settings, and spring rate changes at the pit wall just to see what sticks when making changes to your or your customer’s vehicle, then this episode with Bruno Finco of Optimum G is going to be a perfect listen.
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Originally from Brazil and now based in Colorado, unusually for a guest of the Tuned In podcast, Bruno didn’t have all that much interest in cars growing up — it wasn’t until he went to university to gain a degree in mechatronics engineering that he joined the school’s Formula SAE team and began a life-long love affair with all things motorsport.
Walking out of university and straight into a role at Colorado-based Optimum G, Bruno has since gone on to become the motorsport tech company’s Lead Performance Engineer, and now spends his time travelling around the world’s greatest race circuits, gathering data, helping both race teams and OEMs optimise their vehicle dynamics, and teaching others how to do the same through the use of Optimum G’s highly-regarded software packages.
The bulk of this admittedly very tech-heavy episode consists of Bruno talking us through the many nuanced points of motorsport handling and performance, breaking down concepts into their many facets. This includes roll centre, tyre slip angle, Ackermann steering, anti-dive and squat, plus much more.
Bruno also explains how Optimum G’s software works, and most interestingly, despite how it first looks, how it’s not something you need to have a Ph.D. in order to understand and use to substantially improve your vehicle’s performance.
👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip
A more thorough explanation of Ackermann steering can be found here.
Find all the resources Bruno mentioned in this episode here.
Follow Bruno and Optimum G here:
IG: @optimumg, @bruno.finco
LI: OptimumG
YT: OptimumG
WWW: optimumg.com
Honda Crx
"around the development of the suspension on our Honda CRX. And while initially it looks complex, it's actually not very difficult to use"
The Honda CRX is a small, sporty car made by Honda that was popular in the 1980s and early 1990s. It's known for being light and fun to drive.
The Honda CRX is a compact car produced by Honda from 1983 to 1991, known for its lightweight design and sporty performance. It became popular among car enthusiasts for its handling and efficiency.
tyre contact patch
"optimising the tyre contact patch with the racetrack surface. Obviously no matter what car we've got and how much power it's got, as well as how much money"
The tyre contact patch is the part of the tyre that touches the ground. It's important because it affects how well the car grips the road and how it handles.
The tyre contact patch is the area of the tyre that is in direct contact with the road surface. It plays a critical role in vehicle performance, affecting traction, handling, and braking.
suspension kinematics
"We get deep into the weeds in this conversation with some of the less obvious or less well known terms around suspension design and suspension kinematics..."
Suspension kinematics is about how the parts of a car's suspension move and work together. It helps determine how well the car handles and performs on the road.
Suspension kinematics refers to the study of the motion of the suspension system in a vehicle. It involves understanding how different components of the suspension interact and affect the vehicle's handling and performance.
roll centre
"We get deep into the weeds in this conversation with some of the less obvious or less well known terms around suspension design and suspension kinematics, such as roll centre..."
The roll centre is a point in a car's suspension that helps decide how much the car will lean when going around a corner. It's important for keeping the car stable.
The roll centre is an imaginary point in a vehicle's suspension system that helps determine how the car will roll during cornering. It plays a crucial role in vehicle handling and stability.
Ackerman steering
"We also dive into Ackerman steering and what that term means and how this can be used as well to help improve the performance of the car."
Ackerman steering is a design that helps the wheels of a car turn better when going around corners. It makes sure the inside wheels turn more than the outside wheels, which helps with handling.
Ackerman steering is a geometric arrangement of the steering linkage that allows the inside wheels to turn at a sharper angle than the outside wheels during a turn. This improves handling and reduces tire wear.
anti-dive
"We also cover subjects such as anti-dive and anti-squat."
Anti-dive is a feature in a car's suspension that helps prevent the front of the car from leaning forward too much when braking hard. This keeps the car stable and easier to control.
Anti-dive is a suspension design feature that minimizes the forward pitch of a vehicle during hard braking. It helps maintain stability and control under braking conditions.
anti-squat
"We also cover subjects such as anti-dive and anti-squat."
Anti-squat is a feature in a car's suspension that helps prevent the back of the car from leaning back too much when accelerating. This helps the car stay stable and have better traction.
Anti-squat is a suspension design feature that reduces the rearward pitch of a vehicle during acceleration. It helps improve traction and stability when the vehicle is under power.
Formula Student
"...at University of São Paulo and there we have the Formula Student or Formula SE project. Are you aware of the project?"
Formula Student is a competition for university students where they create and race small race cars. It helps students learn about engineering and teamwork by working on real car projects.
Formula Student is an international engineering competition where students design, build, and race small formula-style cars. It provides hands-on experience in engineering and project management, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.
vehicle dynamics
"...once you understand those concepts they can be applied to a specific field like vehicle dynamics. Absolutely so whenever I'm studying vehicle dynamics I'm applying the physics and mechanical engineering concepts that I learned in school."
Vehicle dynamics looks at how cars move and respond when driving. It helps engineers understand how to make cars safer and more comfortable to drive.
Vehicle dynamics is the study of how vehicles behave while in motion, including the forces acting on them and their response to various driving conditions. It encompasses aspects like handling, stability, and ride comfort, which are critical for designing safe and efficient vehicles.
Optimum G
"...let's talk a little bit about Optimum G and what it is so give us a high level overview of what Optimum G actually encompasses."
Optimum G is a company that makes software to help car engineers understand how vehicles behave on the road or track. They focus on improving car performance and handling.
Optimum G is a company that specializes in vehicle dynamics and simulation software, often used in motorsports and automotive engineering to optimize vehicle performance and handling.
Formula SAE
"...am I right in assuming this is sort of born out of your formula SAE work? Yes 100% so I was the head and lead of suspension..."
Formula SAE is a competition for university students where they create and race small race cars. It helps students learn about car design and engineering while working in teams.
Formula SAE is a student engineering competition where teams design, build, and race small formula-style cars. It emphasizes engineering principles and teamwork, providing students with hands-on experience in automotive design and racing.
performance engineering
"...we also teach seminars all around the world two main ones vehicle dynamics and also performance engineering..."
Performance engineering is about making cars faster and better at handling. It includes improving things like the engine, shape, and weight of the car to make it perform well.
Performance engineering involves the design and optimization of vehicles to achieve higher levels of performance, including speed, handling, and efficiency. It often includes aspects like aerodynamics, powertrain tuning, and weight reduction.
GT World Challenge Europe
"...we are currently doing GT World Challenge Europe we are doing DTM so we are leading the championship in GT World Challenge..."
GT World Challenge Europe is a racing series where teams race high-performance sports cars. It's known for exciting races and features popular brands like Ferrari and Porsche.
The GT World Challenge Europe is a prominent sports car racing series featuring GT3 cars, where teams compete in various endurance races across Europe. It showcases high-performance vehicles from manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche.
DTM
"...we are doing DTM so we are leading the championship in GT World Challenge..."
DTM stands for Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, a racing series in Germany where modified cars race against each other. It's popular and includes well-known brands like Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
DTM, or Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, is a touring car racing series based in Germany. It features modified production cars and is known for its competitive racing and high-profile manufacturers like Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
Formula E
"...we worked in Formula E even though the season ended now so these are the three championships that we are most working actively..."
Formula E is a racing series where all the cars are electric. The races take place in city streets, and it focuses on promoting electric vehicles and sustainability.
Formula E is a class of motorsport that uses only electric-powered cars. It features races on temporary street circuits in major cities around the world, promoting sustainability and electric vehicle technology.
tire testing
"we have racing teams hiring us to test their tires in the flat track so in the laboratory you have a huge machine that you can mount a tire and test that..."
Tire testing is when engineers check how well tires work in different situations, like on a race track. They want to make sure the tires are safe and perform well.
Tire testing involves evaluating the performance and durability of tires under various conditions, often using specialized equipment to simulate real-world scenarios. This is crucial for developing tires that perform well in racing and other high-performance applications.
OEM
"...we also work with OEM so not only racing but we also do OEMs so we are working in projects connecting..."
OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer. It's the company that makes the original parts for a car, like the tires or engines, which are used when the car is first built.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, referring to companies that produce parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer. In the automotive context, OEMs are the manufacturers of the vehicles and their components.
Volkswagen Rabbit
"...l concepts and we're going to go deeper down this rabbit hole but before we sort of scare off half of the..."
The Volkswagen Rabbit is a small car that is easy to drive and great for everyday use. It has been around for a long time and is known for being reliable and fun to drive, which is why people often talk about it.
The Volkswagen Rabbit, known as the Golf in many markets, is a compact car that has been popular since its introduction in the mid-1970s. It is significant for its blend of practicality, performance, and efficiency, making it a staple in the hatchback segment. The Rabbit is often discussed for its iconic status and influence on the small car market.
suspension stiffness
"...for example helping them fine tune suspension stiffness them being driving analysis, data analysis and so on. However a lot of our products are also..."
Suspension stiffness is how hard or soft the car's suspension system is. A stiffer suspension can make the car handle better on the road, but it might also make the ride feel rougher.
Suspension stiffness refers to the rigidity of the suspension system in a vehicle, which affects how the car handles bumps and corners. A stiffer suspension can improve handling but may reduce ride comfort.
Optimum Kinematics
"...very useful for this type of racing such as Optimum Kinematics which helps you build and design a better suspension"
Optimum Kinematics is about setting up a car's suspension in the best way to make it handle better. It helps the tires stay in contact with the road for better control while driving.
Optimum Kinematics is a concept in vehicle dynamics that focuses on the geometry of the suspension system to improve handling and performance. It involves adjusting the angles and positions of suspension components for better tire contact and stability.
tire models
"...you can get tire data and you can fit models or understand the tire models that are more and more commonly used in vehicle dynamic simulations..."
Tire models are ways to predict how tires will act when a car is driving. They help engineers figure out how to make cars safer and better to drive.
Tire models are mathematical representations used in vehicle dynamics simulations to predict how tires will behave under various conditions. These models help engineers understand tire performance, grip, and wear, which are essential for optimizing vehicle handling.
downforce
"...you have mass, you have downforce, you have engine power and engine curves or torque curves..."
Downforce helps keep a car on the ground by pushing it down, which helps the tires grip the road better, especially when going fast.
Downforce is the aerodynamic force that pushes a car down onto the track, increasing tire grip and stability at high speeds. It is crucial for performance in racing and high-speed driving.
torque curves
"...you have mass, you have downforce, you have engine power and engine curves or torque curves..."
Torque curves show how strong the engine is at different speeds, which helps in knowing when the car will feel the most powerful.
Torque curves represent how much twisting force an engine produces at different RPMs (revolutions per minute). Understanding torque curves helps in optimizing performance for various driving conditions.
engine power
"...you have mass, you have downforce, you have engine power and engine curves or torque curves..."
Engine power is how strong the engine is, which helps the car go faster and accelerate better.
Engine power refers to the amount of work an engine can perform in a given time, typically measured in horsepower or kilowatts. It directly affects a vehicle's acceleration and top speed.
tire grip
"...you have gear ratios and you have tire grip and with that you can also model the track..."
Tire grip is how well the tires stick to the road; better grip means the car can go faster around corners without sliding.
Tire grip refers to the friction between the tires and the road surface, which affects how well a car can accelerate, brake, and corner. Higher grip allows for better performance and handling.
gear ratios
"...you have gear ratios and you have tire grip and with that you can also model the track..."
Gear ratios are like the settings on a bike that help you go faster or climb hills easier; they affect how quickly the car can speed up or how fast it can go.
Gear ratios determine how power from the engine is transmitted to the wheels, affecting acceleration and top speed. Different gear ratios can optimize performance for various driving conditions.
lap time
"and I add 100 kilos how much lap time am I going to lose or if I increase the power by 10% how much lap time am I going to gain"
Lap time is how long it takes a car to go around a racetrack once. Shorter lap times mean better performance.
Lap time refers to the total time it takes for a vehicle to complete a single lap on a racetrack. It's a critical metric in motorsport, as it directly reflects a car's performance and the driver's skill.
Hollinger gearbox
"we've used that software in the past to help choose gear ratios in the Hollinger gearbox"
A Hollinger gearbox is a special kind of transmission used in race cars. It helps the car change gears quickly and can handle a lot of power without breaking.
The Hollinger gearbox is a type of high-performance transmission used in motorsport applications. Known for its durability and quick shifting capabilities, it is favored by racing teams for its ability to handle high power outputs and provide precise gear changes.
K20 engine
"...powered by a naturally aspirated K20 2L engine and what we wanted to do was move the..."
The K20 engine is a type of engine made by Honda that is known for being powerful and able to spin fast. It’s often used in sporty cars and is popular for upgrades and modifications.
The K20 engine is a 2.0-liter inline-four engine produced by Honda, known for its high-revving capabilities and performance. It is commonly used in various Honda models and is popular among tuners for its potential to produce significant power.
naturally aspirated
"...powered by a naturally aspirated K20 2L engine and what we wanted to do was move the..."
Naturally aspirated means that the engine gets air from the atmosphere without any help from a turbo or supercharger. This can make the engine feel more responsive and easier to control.
Naturally aspirated refers to an engine that relies on atmospheric pressure alone to draw air into the combustion chamber, rather than using a turbocharger or supercharger. This typically results in a more linear power delivery and can enhance engine responsiveness.
chromoly subframe
"...we needed a chromoly subframe to mount the engine and the lower control arms but that was fine. The problem we struck was that by..."
A chromoly subframe is a strong metal frame used to hold parts of a car, like the engine and suspension. It's lighter and tougher than regular steel, making it great for performance cars.
A chromoly subframe is a structural component made from chromium-molybdenum steel, known for its strength and lightweight properties. It is often used in performance vehicles to provide a sturdy mounting point for the engine and suspension components.
tire performance
"...everything is about tire performance it's the only thing really generating force to move the car..."
Tire performance is how well a tire can stick to the road and help the car turn, stop, and go. Good tire performance means better control and safety while driving.
Tire performance refers to how well tires grip the road, handle turns, and respond to acceleration and braking. It's crucial for vehicle safety and handling characteristics.
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