Well....., there is a LOT of ground to cover in that quistion; I won't cover it all but here's a quick resume:-
1) If you can't feel/time the difference when going from FULL camber one way all the way to the 'opposite end', then either you are not yet practiced enough to feel the subtle differences or there is something seriously misaligned/badly-adjusted on your chassis. Try the kart at BOTH extremes, one after the other, on the same practice day measuring your times and considering the 'feed-back' of the chassis.
2) You have part of the idea correct. Sitting in the chassis with positive camber MAY make it go 'Zero' angle; it just depends on your weight and the chassis. However, you need to think a bit more about that.
Yes, 'Zero' stationary will present the tyres 'flat' on the straight.... but what happens when you have loaded the chassis in a corner? Firstly, the chassis will 'roll' (lift on the inside and dive on the outside) and that will move the angle from Zero back to POSITIVE camber..... except the tyre will lean over as well, further compromising the angle..... and then the chassis will flex.... as will the stub, and the tyre will compress, ..... and the inside rear of the kart will lift.... etc. etc.. Thus your theoretical 'Zero' angle can become damned nigh ANY angle once you are IN the corner..... and that's the ONLY time that it matters... not down the straight!
So.... what's the 'right' angle....? God alone knows! It depends on the temperature, the chassis, your tyres, your weight, the circuit and about 15 other variables and all of those affect the angle whichg the tyre presents to the track.
Ok.... so how do I know what angle to select? Easy.... ask your chassis manufacturer! They are more likely to be correct than anyone else. Once you are a bit more confident, you can then try changing the angle and 'feeling' the effect. If the new angle makes you quicker or makes it easier to DRIVE quicker, choose THAT angle. If it makes it worse, try changing it the 'other way'. If BOTH directions make it worse.... then the manufacturer was right in the first place!
I know it's frustrating not being able to be told 'the RIGHT answer' but you can be delighted that NO-ONE ELSE KNOWS EITHER! That measn there is every chance YOU can get it BETTER than the others. Just use common sense and the old rule:-
....test, test and test AGAIN!
Ian
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Camber on a kart by 'RWR' (14 Dec 2009 @ 11:48)
