Oh...... John.....
We have just gone in a circle......
We agree that chassis 'bend' (flex) under lateral G. However, if we ignore ALL that 'change of shape' from G loading from the discussions.... then my contention is that a well-setup and well-DRIVEN kart is NOT on three wheels once it has made the transition from 'turn in' to 'mid corner'. It only WENT onto three wheels when the lock was applied..... however, the transition point is when the driver UNLOADS the lock and is now in the 'mid-corner-4or2-wheel-slide' state.
So.... the 'three wheel stance' that is induced by turning the steering has GONE once the lock is unloaded.
All we have to do is to WATCH the quick guys and we all KNOW they have the steering 'dead-ahead' (or damned close to) for the majority of the corner. I would also argue that: the faster the driver, the earlier he makes that transition and the longer he maintains the (almost) 'fixed' 'dead-ahead' steering position.
I first noticed this effect years ago watching a Euro Champs round at Rye where I was priveledged to take the photos from the inside of the track. Terry (who else?) would pass through the same corner on EXACTLY the same line on EVERY lap with the SAME totally neutral steering position.... and he could do it all day long.... I don't think I have EVER seen LESS steering input. I got the impression that, even his 'turn-in' was done with SUCH a small steering input that it looked more like he was steering by weight-shift alone!
Mickey was doing exactly the same, as was Harm Schuurman and anybody who was QUICK!
It's not changed today; the quick guys 'steer' less than the slow guys!
Ian
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