SkipBarberFormula2000

IntroductionTo
SetupAndTuning

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Welcome!

Thismanualisintendedtogiveyouawaytobecomefamiliarandcomfortablewiththesetupandtuningoptions
fortheSkipBarberFormula2000.

AttheRookieleveliniRacing,therearefewsetupoptions.Asaresult,theSkipBarberFormula2000(Skippy)
maybeyourfirstexperienceatcarsetupandtuning.Thiscanbefrustratingforsomepeopleiftheyarenot
familiarwiththedifferentsetuportuningoptionsorthelikelyresultsofmakingcertainchangesorifthesetup
optionsarenotapproachedinamethodicalway.

ThefactthatnewdriverstendtoaskthesamequestionsontheiRacingforumwasakeyindicationthatamanual
suchasthiscouldfillarealneed.

SincetheSkippyhasjustsixbasicvehicletuningvariables,itisanexcellentwaytobeginlearningabouthowsetup
changeswillaffectthedrivabilityofaroadracingcar.Onceyouunderstandhowtoapproachthesesixvariables,
youwillbebetterpreparedtofocusonyourdrivingandbetterpreparedtodealwithsetupoptionsonothercars
aswell.ThisknowledgeandexperiencewillserveyouwellasyoucontinueuptheDivisionladderintheSkip
BarberRaceSeries(SBRS)orasyoudriveothercars.

ManyofthebestdriversiniRacinghaveracedintheSBRSandmanyofthemcontinuetoraceintheseriesdueits
levelofcompetitionandsenseofcamaraderie.IfyoueverwanttolearnmoreabouttheSkippy,justaskonthe
iRacingForumandmanywellinformedpeoplewillbeabletohelpyou.

ThisManualismaintainedbySBRSdriversforthebenefitofall
iRacers.

Graphicsfromhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Welcome_differentlangs.png

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Background

Carsetupandtuninghasalanguageallitsown.

Whileyoumayalreadybefamiliarwiththeterminology,akeyconcepttounderstandishowtodescribecar
behaviorwhencornering.Understandingandbeingabletocommunicatethiswillallowyoutomoreeasily
diagnoseandsolveissueswhichmayarise.

Understeer

Acarissaidtoundersteerwhenthe
frontendofthecardoesnotreactas
muchasthedriverinputwouldindicateit
should.Thisisalsocalledpushor
tight.Thiscanbecausedbyhowthe
vehiclewassetuporcanbecausedby
driverinputs.

Neutral

Aneutralcarisonethatdoesnotexhibit
understeeroroversteer.

Oversteer

Acarissaidtooversteerwhentherear
ofthecarreactsmorethanthedriver
inputwouldseemtoindicateitshould.
Thisisalsocalledloose.Thiscanbe
causedbyhowthevehiclewassetupor
canbecausedbydriverinputs.

Graphicsfromhttp://automotive.8flo.com/2010/06/17/oversteer-and-understeer/

ImportantThings

Thereareacoupleofthingsyoushouldthinkabout.

First,ifyouareseriousaboutSkippyracing(includingtimetrials),thereisnomoreimportantthingforyouto
rememberthanpractice,practice,practice,andpracticesomemore.Itisnotclearthatpracticemakesperfect
butpracticecertainlywillmakeyoubetter.Whetheryouareoffonatrackbyyourself,inanofficialpractice
session(withothercarsonthetrack)orparticipatingasaghostracerinaSpectatorsession,beingoutonthe
trackwillhelpyouloweryourlaptimesandbemorecomfortablewithsetupchoicesyouhavemade.

Second,youshouldthinkaboutgettinganotebookorfilefolderorcomputerfolderorsomeotherwaytokeep
trackofthesetupchoicesandotherthingsyouwilllearnalongtheway.YoucansavesetupchoicesintheiRacing
garagebutitcanalsobejustaseasytowritedownthesixsettingssoyoucanseehowtheycanchangefor
differenttracksandchangeovertimeasyourdrivingstyleprogresses.

Third,dontoverlookthevalueoftheCentripetalCircuitforgettingahandleoncarbehaviorinresponsetosetup
changes.Knowinghowstableasetupisandwhathappenswhenitreachesitslimitswillserveyouwellonthe
racecourse.

Last,havefun!Racescanbeintenseandtheemotionscanrunhigh.Rememberthatthisisrecreationandan
opportunitytohavesomefunwithotherlikemindedpeople.

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

SetupAndTuningPhilosophy

Aspartofsetupandtuning,itisimportanttorealizethereareonlyafewwaysthatyourcarcancommunicate
withyou.

Somewaysareimmediatelyapparent(suchassquealingtires,sliding,orspinning).Othersrequiretheuseof
measuringinstruments(suchastirethermometersortimingdevices).Othersaremuchmoresubjectiveand
involveyourlevelofcomfortasadriverandhowthecarfeelsinrelationtoyourskilllevelanddrivinginputs.

ThekeyelementsoftuningaSkippyareallbasedonunderstandingthefeedbackyougetaschangesaremade.
Somefeedback(tiresandlaptimes)arescientificinnatureandcanbemeasuredandrecorded.Often,these
provideaframeworkofinformationtoworkfromandlearningtounderstandthedatafeedbackisanimportant
partoftuning.Others(suchasfeel)aremoreartisticinnaturebutarenolessimportantintheircontributionsto
lowerlaptimesandhigherfinishingpositions.

Theoverallphilosophyofthismanualistohelpyouapproachthebasicsetupinarationalandlogicalmannerso
thatyoucangetthebestfeedbackandfindcomfortandspeedquickly.Eachdrivercanfocusinonissuesthatare
importanttothemandthenadvanceattheirownpace.

INPUTS

FEEDBACK

MechanicalInputs

GasLoad
SpringPerchOffset
AntiRollBar
FrontTirePressure(L/R)
RearTirePressure(L/R)
BrakeBias

DrivingInputs

Smoothness
Anticipation
ReactionTimes
Experience

SystemInputs

BrakeSensitivity
BrakeForceCurveFactor
ForceFeedbackStrength
FieldofView

TireTemperatures
TirePressure
TireWear

TimingFeedback(Science)

GarageFeedback(Science)

LapTimes
SectorSplits

DrivingFeedback(Art)

OverallFeel
SenseofBalance
SenseofComfort
SenseofControl

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

SetUpOptions

ThebasicsetupscreenoftheSkippyisshownbelow.Thelocationofeachsettingishighlighted.Thearrow
buttonsareusedtoadjustthesettings.

FrontBrakeBias

ColdTirePressure(Front)

SpringPerchOffset

ColdTirePressure(Rear)

FuelFill

RearAntiRollBar

Youcaneither:
UsethedefaultiRacingsetup(maybefoundiniRacingSetups),
Asetupwhichwassharedbysomeoneelse(ifyousaveditinSharedSetups),or
Asetupdevelopedbyyoubasedonyourdrivingstyle(ifyousaveditinMySetups).

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

An11StepProgram

Thefollowingflowchartandtheformonthefacingpageillustrateaprogramwhichmayhelpyousetupthe
Skippytoreflectthetrackandyourdrivingstyleandgoracing!

1. SelectGasLoad(race/qualifying/other)

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. TuneAsDesired

11. FinalRoadTest(s)

MakeInitialChassisSetUp Selections
SpringPerchOffset
AntiRollBar
BrakeBias
TirePressures(F/R)

RoadTest(TireShape)
EvaluateTireShape

AdjustTirePressures(F/R)AsNeeded

RoadTest(SPO)
EvaluateCamber/RideHeight

AdjustSpringPerchOffset(SPO)AsNeeded

RoadTest(ARB)
EvaluateOversteer/Understeer

AdjustAntiRollBar(ARB)AsDesired

RoadTestForTuning
EvaluateGrip/BalanceWhileCorneringandBraking
TirePressure/BrakeBias

GORACING!

Thesetupformonthefacingpageisawayforyoutostartthinkingabouthowsetupchangesaffectsomeofthe
garagefeedback(science),timingfeedback(science),anddrivingfeedback(art).

Forthosewhowanttokeepadigitalrecord,ablankspreadsheetisavailableasaGoogledocumentat:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Ar59ydFVUf9cdHBaX1R6QXVFd1A0QWRDQ3Y1cGcwZ2c&hl=en&authkey=CIWN7_IO#gid=0

Asampleofonedriversexperiencesandsettingchangescanbeviewedhere:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Ar59ydFVUf9cdE1kWGw3LTk3SEt1QWhBX1RSUHFBZkE&hl=en&authkey=COCm7a4M#gid=0

Track

17.1 40.4 psi

Rear

17.1 40.4 psi

+10 = (low /stiff)

1 = (soft)

0 = neutral rake

8 (stiff)

Rear Stiffness
(Anti-Roll Bar)

-9 = (high / soft)

+10 = (low /stiff)

RR

LR

Feedback

RF

LF

RR

LR

RF

Fastest
Lap

LF

Pressures

Temperatures

Number
of Laps

Data

45% - 65%

Pedal
Sensitivity

0.00 5.00

LR

LF

Feedback

LR

LF

Pressures

Temperatures

Number
of Laps

Data

45% - 65%

Fastest
Lap

RR

RF

RR

RF

Pedal
Sensitivity

0.00 5.00

Brake
Bias

Ride Height / Front Stiffness / Camber

(Spring Perch Offset)

Brake
Bias

8 (stiff)

0 = neutral rake

17.1 40.4 psi

Step 1.3 Revised Brake Settings

17.1 40.4 psi

Rear

Step 1.2 Revised Chassis Set-up

Front

Step 1.1 Revised Tire Pressure

Step 1.3 Initial Brake Settings

1 = (soft)

Rear Stiffness
(Anti-Roll Bar)

-9 = (high / soft)

Ride Height / Front Stiffness / Camber

(Spring Perch Offset)

Step 1.2 Initial Chassis Set-up

Front

Step 1.1 Initial Tire Pressure

For good data, need 3-5 laps, 5-8 miles, 30-40 corners, 4-6 minutes

Skippy Set-up Worksheet

17.1 40.4 psi

Rear
17.1 40.4 psi

0 = neutral rake

8 (stiff)

+10 = (low /stiff)

LR

LF

Feedback

LR

LF

Pressures

Temperatures

45% - 65%

Number
of Laps

Data

Brake
Bias

Fastest
Lap

RR

RF

RR

RF

Pedal
Sensitivity

0.00 5.00

Step 1.3 Refined Brake Settings

1 = (soft)

Rear Stiffness
(Anti-Roll Bar)

-9 = (high / soft)

Ride Height / Front Stiffness / Camber

(Spring Perch Offset)

Step 1.2 Refined Chassis Set-up

Front

Step 1.1 Refined Tire Pressure

Fuel Load

Date

17.1 40.4 psi

Rear
17.1 40.4 psi

0 = neutral rake

8 (stiff)

LR

LF

Feedback

LR

LF

Pressures

Temperatures

45% - 65%

Number
of Laps

Data

Brake
Bias

Fastest
Lap

RR

RF

RR

RF

Pedal
Sensitivity

0.00 5.00

+10 = (low /stiff)

Step 1.3 Final Brake Settings

1 = (soft)

Rear Stiffness
(Anti-Roll Bar)

-9 = (high / soft)

Ride Height / Front Stiffness / Camber

(Spring Perch Offset)

Step 1.2 Final Chassis Set-up

Front

Step 1.1 Final Tire Pressure

1.7 5.2 Gallons

Verify with
F4 Button

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Step1=SelectGasLoad

Theeasiestsetupchoicetomakeisgasload.Thesetupoptionsallowyoutopickoneofsixsettings.Thedefault
settingisafulltankof5.2gallonsor19.7liters.

Qualifying/TimeTrial

Ifyouarequalifyingordoingatimetrial,youcouldpickthelowestsetting(1.7gallonsor6.4liters)andgo.
However,itisadvisabletotake2.4gallons(9.1liters)ifyouplanonafullqualifyingsessionand3.1gallons(11.7
liters)forafulltimetrialsession.

Race

Ifyouaregoingtorace(ordosomepracticelapsinracetrim),youneedtoknowhowmuchgastotake.Youwant
tohaveenoughtofinishtheracebutnotcarryaroundmorethanyouneedto.Sinceeachadditionalincrementof
gasaddsaboutfourpounds(1.8kilograms)ofweighttothevehicle,itmaynotseemlikealotofweightbutitcan
makeadifference.

Theamountofgasyouneedisafunctionoftheracedistance,thetypeoftrackandyourdrivingstyle.Sincethe
fuelloadisresetatthestartofarace,thenumberofwarmuplapsisnotafactorinthegasloaddecision.

Whileyouneedtobecomefamiliarwithhowyourdrivingstyleaffectsgasusageateachtrack,youcanusethe
followingasageneralguide.NotethattheF4buttonwillgiveyouanestimatednumberoflapsatthetrackbased
ontheselectedfuelload.Besuretochecktheseforyourself!

GasLoad

GeneralGuide

Races

1.7Gallons

6.4liters

NeverEnough

None

2.4Gallons

9.1liters

MayBeEnough

LagunaSeca(16laps)
ZandvoortNational(18laps)
SummitPointRaceway(20laps)
MidOhioFull(20laps)
RoadAtlantaShort(23laps)
SilverstoneInternational(18laps)
WatkinsGlenClassicBoot(14laps)
LimeRockParkFull(25laps)
RoadAtlantaFull(18laps)

3.1Gallons

11.7liters

UsuallyEnough

3.8Gallons

14.4liters

AlwaysEnough

SpaFrancorchamps(13laps)
ZandvoortGP(15laps)
RoadAmerica(12laps)

4.5Gallons

17.1liters

TooMuch

None

5.2Gallons

19.7liters

TooMuch

None

Setinitialgasloadto3.1gallons(11.7
liters).Adjustlaterasneeded.

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Step2=MakeInitialChassisSetUpSelections

ChassissetupisthenextpartoftuningtheSkippy.Bychassissetup,wearereferringto:
Springperchoffset(SPO),and
Antirollbar(ARB).

SpringPerchOffset(SPO)

Springperchoffsetisthebasicchassissettingforthefrontendofthe
Skippy.Aspringperchisacollarontheshock/springassemblywhichseats
thebottomofthespring.Thespringperchoffsetisthedistancefromthe
springperchtoaknownreferencepoint.OntheSkippy,whentheSPOisset
tozero,therideheightsatthefrontandreararethesameandthecarhas
norake.
AnegativeSPOvaluemeansthatthespring/shockassemblyisextendedand
thishastheeffectofraisingtherideheightatthefrontofthecar.Apositive
SPOvaluemeansthatthespring/shockassemblyiscompressedandthis
lowerstherideheightatthefrontofthecar.

AtthedefaultSPOsettingof9,theshock/springassemblyisextendedtoits
limitandthefrontrideheightofthecarisashighasitcanbe.

Inadditiontofrontrideheightandrake,theSPOactsasacamberadjustmentforthefrontwheels.Camberisan
importantsetupconceptbecauseitisusedtohelpmaximizethecontactpatchofthetireduringcornering.

Camberreferstotheinwardoroutwardtiltofthetopofthewheel
relativetotheground.Positivecambermeansthatthetopofthe
wheelsaretiltedoutwardrelativetovertical.Negativecamber
meansthetopofthewheelsaretiltedinwardrelativetovertical.

Forroadcourses,somenegativecamberistypicallyused.Thiscauses
theoutsidetirewalltostraightenupwhencorneringandthiskeeps
thecontactpatchofthetireontheground.Inotherwords,lateral
loadswhencorneringactuallypushthecontactpatchontothe
pavementsurface.Ifanoutsidetirehadzerocamberorpositive
camber,youcanimaginehowcorneringloadsmightactuallypullthe
contactpatchofftheground.

YoumayhavenotedthattherearoftheSkippyhasbuiltincamberof2.7degrees.Thefrontcamberandrear
camberoftheSkippyarethesame(2.7degrees)whentheSPOissetto+2.Howmuchcamberisdesirable
dependsonthetrack,thetypesofcorners,thesurfacegrippiness,corneringspeeds,andyourdrivingstyle.

TheSPOsettingalsoaffectscaster(thebackwardtiltofthesteeringpivotpoints).IncreasingtheSPOwilldropthe
noseofthecarandthiswillhavetheeffectofmakingthesteeringpivotpointsmoreupright(reducingtheamount
ofcaster).Ingeneral,lesscastermeanslesssteeringfeelandlesswillingnesstoturnandthismayresultinaslight
understeercondition.

Overallthen,increasingtheSPOwillresultinalowerfrontrideheight,alowerfrontcenterofgravity,more
positiverake,morenegativecamber,andbetteraerodynamics.Whileithasnotbeenshowntohaveasignificant
effectontopspeedoraccelerationiniRacing,ahigherSPOthanthedefaultsettingof9mayhavesomebenefits.

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Havingsaidthat,alowerrideheightwhichistoolowwillresultinthecarbottomingoutundercertain
conditionsthissoundslikestaticonyourheadsetorspeakersandthiscanhavenegativehandlingeffects,
especiallyifitoccursinabrakingzoneoroncornerentry.

Alsokeepinmindthatmorecamberwillreducethecontactpatchofthetiresinastraightlineandthismayresult
intheneedtobrakedifferentlyorchangebrakesettings.Moreaboutthislater.

AntiRollBar(ARB)

Anantirollbarisadeviceusedtostiffenachassislaterallysothata
cardoesnotlean(orroll)asmuchwhencornering.TherearARBis
adjustableontheSkippy.

AhighervaluemeansthattherearARBisstifferandismoreresistant
tobodyroll.Italsomeansthatbothrearwheelswillrespond
similarly(whethergoodorbad)toinputsorforces.Withotherthings
beingequal,astifferrearARBwilladdoversteertendencytothe
backendofthecarorremoveundersteertendencyfromthefront
endofthecar.Whilesomedriverspreferthis,othersfindthis
behaviortobeedgyandlessforgiving.

AlowervaluemeansthattheARBissofterandislessresistantto
bodyroll.WithasoftARB,eachrearwheelactsmoreindependently
fromtheotherintermsofresponsetoinputsorforces.Asofterrear
ARBcanbemoreforgivingofsuddeninputsorchanges.

Bychangingthedynamicsoftherearofthecarrelativetothefront,theARBcanbeusedtoadjustthebehaviorof
thecarwhencornering.

SPO/ARBSynthesis

TheSkippycomeswithsomedefaultsettings(SPO=9andARB=1).

Thegraphiconthefacingpageshowsthatthereare160possiblecombinationsofspringperchoffset(20possible
settings)andantirollbar(8possiblesettings).Thedefaultsettingintheupperleftcorner(SPO=9/ARB=1)is
themostforgivingsetting(goodfornewSkippydrivers).Thelowerrightcorner(SPO=+10/ARB=8)istheleast
forgivingsetting(moredifficultfornewdrivers).Itisuptoeachdrivertofindthesettingthatworksbestforthem.

Theannotationsonthetableareintendedtohelpyouunderstandthegeneraleffectofsomechangesyoumay
wanttoconsiderasyougainexperiencewiththeSkippyateachtrack.

OneofthefirstthingsnewSkippyracerswillneedtocometotermswithisthatthereisnomagicchassissetup.
Eachdriverhasdifferentpreferences,differentexperienceanddifferentlevelsofcomfort.Experienceand
experimentationwillleadyoutoasolutionwhichworksbestforyou.

Todrivethispointhome,youmayfinditinterestingtoknowthatsomeofthebestSkippyracershaveshown
theycangetclosetotherecordtimesattrackswiththedefaultsetup.Theydonotracewiththosesettingsbut
theycould.Youneedtofindasetupthatworksforyouintermsofcomfort,stability,andspeed.

10

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

SkippyChassisSetupMatrix

LowerSPO:

Higherfrontrideheight/morenegativerake

Lessnegativecamberonfrontwheels

Mayfeelfloaty

Moreweighttransfer/bodyrollunderbraking/acceleration/cornering

Mayhavelessfrontgripandmorepotentialforundersteer

LowerFrontRideHeight

LowerARB:

Morebodyrollat
rearincorners

Moreforgivingof
suddeninputsor
changes

Easiertokeepon
theedge

Lesstendencyto
oversteer

Moretolerantof
ridingcurbs

HigherFrontRideHeight
(Soft)

Soft

9
8
7
6

+10

Default

More Forgiving

Precise

Less

5
4
3
2
1
0
+1
+2
+3
+4
+5
+6
+7
+8
+9

AntiRollBar

Stiff

Stiffer

Rear

START
HERE

Stiffer

Front

More Precise

Less Forgiving

HigherSPOmay:

Lowerfrontrideheight/morepositiverake

Morenegativecamberonfrontwheels

Steeringmayfeelmoreprecise

Lessweighttransfer/bodyrollunderbraking/acceleration/cornering

Mayhavemorefrontgripandmorepotentialforoversteer

11

HigherARB:

Lessbodyrollat
rearincorners

Lessforgivingof
suddeninputsor
changes

Mayrequire
quickerresponses

Moretendencyto
oversteer

Lesstolerantof
ridingcurbs

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

BrakeBias(BB)

Brakebiasissetupoptionwhichdetermineshowmuchofthebrakingeffortwillbedirectedtothefrontorrear
wheels.Asettingof50%meansthatthefrontandrearwheelsarebeinggiventhesameamountofbrakinginput.
Asettingof60%wouldmeanthatthefrontwheelsarebeinggiven60%ofthebrakinginput.Thedefaultsettingin
iRacingis59%.

Straightlinebrakingefficiencycanbemaximizedbydistributingthebrakingforcessothatallfourtiresare
generatingtheirmaximumdecelerationsimultaneously.Sinceacarsweightisthrowntothefronttiresunder
braking,itiscommontohavesomefrontbrakebias.

Itistypicallypreferabletoavoidarearbrakebiassincethismayresultinlockinguptherearbrakes(withlessload
onthereartiresunderbraking)itisalmostcertaintoresultinaspin.Ontheotherhand,ifthefrontbrakeslock
upfirst,youtendtoslideforwardinastraightline(whichcanoftenbesaved)butnotspin.

Howmuchbrakebiasisusedisspecifictoyourdrivingstyle.Thegoalistofindasettingthatsharesthebraking
loadamongthefourwheelsasefficientlyandeffectivelyaspossible,suitsyourdrivingstyleandfeelscomfortable.

TirePressure(F/R)

TheSkippysetupmenuallowsyoutoselectcoldtirepressuresforeachofthefourtiresonthevehicle.Forinitial
setuppurposes,itistypicaltohavethesamesettingwithineachpairoftiresatthefrontandrearofthecar.
SincetirepressuresareoneofthekeytuningelementsoftheSkippy,youshouldselectabasiccoldpressure
settingandthenadjustitasyouapplyyourdrivingstyletothespecificconditionsateachtrack.

InitialSettings

OK,letsselectsomesettingstotryout.

Setinitialspringperchoffsetto+2. Thiswillgiveyouthesamecambersettingsatboth
endsofthecar.

Thisisamidpointsettingforevaluationandshould
Setinitialrearantirollbarto4.
beafairlyneutralsettingforinitialevaluation.

Thisshouldresultinastablebrakingexperienceto
Setinitialbrakebiasto56%.
helpevaluatethecar.

Thisshouldhelpyougenerateafeelingforthe
Setinitialtirepressuresto24psi
handlingofthecarandevaluatetireperformance.

(165kPa).

Allofthesewillbechangedlateronceyouhavehadachancetotrythecaronthetrack.Theonlywaytoevaluate
settingsistotakethemonthetrackandtrythemout.

12

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Step3=InitialRoadTestForTireShape

Sincethegoalinthisfirstsessionistoevaluateoveralltireshape,donottrytosetfastestlaprightoutofthebox!
Themainobjectiveshouldbetocollectasmuchusefuldataaspossiblesothatyouaremakingmeasuredchanges
andmakingprogressinyoursetupandtuningprogram.

Experiencehasshownittakesawhiletogetthetiresuptooperatingtemperaturesoyoushouldusethefollowing
asaguide:
610miles
610minutes
35laps
3040corners

Thekeyisdonotspinifyoucanhelpit.Bepatient.Thecarmayfeeltentativecomparedtoothercarsyouhave
drivenbuthanginthere.Onceyouknowhowitisbehaving,youcanstarttomakechoicestogetthecarmatched
withyourdrivingstyle.Youshouldbepushingthecartowardsitslimitsbutshouldnotbeontheedge.

Afteryouhavegottentheselapsunderyourbelt,cometoagradualstop(donotskidtoastopsincethiswill
adverselyaffectthereadingofyourtiretemperatures)andreturntothegarage.

Graphicsfromhttp://members.iracing.com/membersite/member/CarDetail.do?carid=1

13

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Step4=AdjustTirePressures(F/R)AsNeeded

Tiretemperaturesandpressuresarethemainwaythatthecarcommunicateswithyouasthedriver.

Youwillgetmaximumgripandperformancebyhavingtireswhichare:
notoverinflated(reducingthesizeofthecontactpatchandrunningcolderthandesired),or
notunderinflated(changingthetirehandlingandrunninghotterthanmaybedesired).

Yougetthisinformationbylookingatthetiretemperaturedistributiononeachtire.Thediagramsbeloware
examplesofpossibletemperaturereadingsfortheleftfronttire(Outer/Middle/Inner).

140/145/140(F)
140/135/140(F)

135/140/145(F)
60/57/60(C)

57/60/63(C)
60/63/60(C)
UnderInflatedTire

CorrectlyInflatedTire
OverInflatedTire
(edgeshotterthanmiddle)
(middlereadingbetweenedges)
(middlehotterthanedges)

Increaseby1psi(7kPa)
per5F(3C)

GoodForNow

Reduceby1psi(7kPa)
per5F(3C)

Step5=SecondRoadTest(s)forSPO

Nowthatthetireshapeiswithinanappropriaterangeforthetrackandyourdrivingstyle,thenextsettingto
evaluateisrideheightandcamberatthefrontendofthecar.Again,thewaytoevaluatesettingsistotakethem
onthetrackandtrythemout.

Try5ormorelapswiththeSPOsettingandthenreturntothegarageforanevaluation.Duringtheroadtest,pay
particularattentiontothebehaviorandfeelingofthefrontendofthecarwhencornering.

14

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Step6=AdjustSPO(asneeded)

Therearetwopartstoevaluatingrideheightandcamberadjustmentswiththespringperchoffset:
Tiretemperaturedistribution,and
Feel.

Yourfronttiressteeryouaroundthecourseandyouwantthemtobeoperatingaseffectivelyaspossible.The
peaktemperaturerangeforactualBFGoodrichradialtireslikesthoseontheSkippyis160230F(70110C).
ItcanbehardtogettothesetemperaturesintheSkippy.Mostpeoplecannotdrivethecarthathard.

Whatispossiblethoughistogetasmuchofthetiresurfaceworkingforyouaspossible.Lookingatthetire
temperaturedistributiononeachtire,youshouldshootforatemperaturedistributionwithalltemperatures
withinabout10F(6C)ofeachotherandwiththemiddlereadingclosertotheinsidereading.Ifthemiddle
temperaturereadingisclosertotheoutsidetemperature,youmayhavetoomuchcamber(and/ortirepressure)
becausetheinsidepartofthetireisdoingmostoftheworkandthetirecontactpatchmaynotbeflexingontothe
tracksurfacewithlateralloads.

Balancethisinformationwithhowthecarfeelstoyou.Forsomepeople,ahigherSPOsetting(lowerrideheight
andmorecamber)ispreferredbecauseitseemsmoreprecisetothemandlessfloaty.However,evenforthese
people,therideheightshouldgenerallynotbesetsolowthatthecarbottomsunderbrakingorwithelevation
changesonthetrack.OtherpeoplefeelthatalowerSPOsetting(higherrideheightandlesscamber)is
advantageoussinceitfeelsmoreforgivingwhencorneringorbraking.

Whatisimportantishowthecarfeelstoyou.

Onthetestdrive,howdidthefrontendofthecarfeel?Ifthecarseemstoundersteeroncornerentry(itdidnot
wanttoturnintothecornerthewayyouwanteditto),tryincreasingtheSPO.Ifyoudidnothaveenoughcamber
inyourtires,thiswillincreasethenegativecamberwhichshouldhavetheeffectofincreasingthecontactpatchof
thetirewhensubjecttoturningloads.Thisshouldresultinmorefrontgripandlessundersteer.

Ontheotherhand,ifyouhadtoomuchcambertobeginwith,thismayincreasetheundersteereffectandyouwill
wanttoreducetheSPOtomaximizethecontactpatch.Anothercluethatyoumayhavehadtoomuchcamberto
beginwithisthatthecarfeelstwitchyunderbrakingorlocksupeasilyduetothereducedcontactpatch.Watch
yourtiretemperaturesandrelyonthefeelofthecartofigureoutwhatworksbestforyou.

TrychangingtheSPOsettingby4clicksormoresothatitmakesenoughofadifferencethatyoucanfeelit.Ifyou
feelyoumayhavegonetoofar,backoffafewclicksandseehowthatfeels.

Remember,thegoalistofindsettingsthatmakeyoucomfortabledrivingthecargivenyourdrivingstyleand
experience.Onceyouarecomfortable,speedwillfollow.

Step7=ThirdRoadTest(s)forARB

Astableandbalancedracecarmightalsoneedtohavesomeadjustmentstotherearantirollbar.Headouton
thetrackagainandpayparticularattentiontothebehavioroftherearofthecar.

Try5ormorelapswiththeARBsettingandthenreturntothegarageforanevaluation.Again,payparticular
attentiontothebehaviorandfeelingoftherearendofthecarwhencornering.

15

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Step8=AdjustARB(asneeded)

Thekeypartofevaluatingtherearantirollbar(ARB)ishowthecarfeelstoyouandperformsbasedonyour
drivingstyle.SincechangingtheARBonlychangesoneendofthecar,thekeyeffectcanbehowtherearofthe
Skippyistunedrelativetothefront.

AsofterrearARBwillresultinmorebodyrollattherearwhencorneringand,formanypeople,mayfeeleasierto
driveattheedge.Itislesslikelytoresultinanoversteercondition.Itmaycontributetothefeelingofan
understeerconditionunderpower(whenexitingacorner)becausetherewillbemorerelativegripattherearof
thecar.

AstifferrearARBwillreducetheamountofbodyrollandismorelikelytoresultinanoversteercondition.This
canbeharderforsomepeopletodriveontheedgeand,iftoomuchpowerisappliedorinputsaresudden,this
canresultinasnapspinduetothelowerlevelofgripattherearofthecar.Somepeoplewantaslightoversteer
conditionbecausetheyfeeltheycancontrolitbetterwiththethrottle.

Onthetestdrive,howdidtherearendofthecarfeel?Ifthecarseemstooversteerandyoudonotfeelthatyou
cangetpowerdown,trysofteningtheARBtoincreasethegripattherearofthecar.

Thinkabouthowthecarbehavedatthekeycorner(orcorners)onthetrack.Ifthekeycorneristhefastestcorner
orthecornerleadingontothelongeststraight,areyouabletogetthepowerdownearlyorhaveahighexit
speed?Isthecarbehaviorinthatcornerallowingyoutomaximizeyourspeedonthestraight?

ThegeneralideafortherearARBshouldbetofindasettingthatreducesbodyrollandthatdoesnothurtthe
independenceofeachoftherearwheels.AgeneralstrategymightbetorunassoftanARBaspossiblewhile
maintainingcontrolofthecarandtheproperhandlingbalance.Thereisnomagicsetting.

TrychangingtheARBsettingby2clicksormoresothatitmakesenoughofadifferencethatyoucanfeelit.Ifyou
feelyoumayhavegonetoofar,backoffoneclickandseehowthatfeels.

Remember,thegoalistofindsettingsthatmakeyoucomfortabledrivingthecargivenyourdrivingstyleand
experience.Onceyouarecomfortable,speedwillfollow.

Step9=RoadTest(s)forTuning

Atthispoint,thechassissettingsareclosertosupportingyourdrivingstyleandthetrackconditions.Nowyou
shouldbethinkingaboutfinaltuning.Headoutonthetrack.

Try5ormorelapsandthenreturntothegarageforanevaluation.Again,payparticularattentiontothebehavior
andfeelingofthecarwhencornering.

16

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Step10=Tuning(asneeded)

SettingsontheSkippytendtoaffecteachotherinsomeway.Forexample,changingtherearARBchangeshow
youdrivecertaincornersandthismayleadtodesiredchangesinSPOand/orairpressures.Tiretemperaturesor
pressuresmayvaryatdifferentcornersofthecarandyoumaywanttoplaywiththesesettings..

Experiencehasshownthatmaximizingtheperformanceofthetiresforagiventrackandyourdrivingstylehasthe
greatestimpactonlaptimesandresults.

ChassisTuning

Ifyouarenotfullycomfortablewiththecarsbehavior(maybethecardoesnotfeelstabletoyou)orifyoujust
wanttotryoutsomeoptions,trysomedifferentchassissetups.Try5ormorelapswitheachofthefollowingset
upoptionsandseewhichfeelsbestorresultsinthefastestlaptimesforyou:

SoftFront(SPO)
StiffFront(SPO)
SoftRear(ARB)

5/2

+6/2

StiffRear(ARB)

5/7

+6/7

Rememberthatchassissettingsmightvaryfromtracktotrackvarydependingonthetypesofcorners,thesurface
grippiness,corneringspeeds,andyourdrivingstyle.

Onceyoufindageneralchassissettingrangewhichfeelsgoodtoyou,youcancontinuetofinetunethechassis
setupfromthere.ThismaybeasituationwhereavisittotheCentripetalCircuitmaybehelpful.

Whilemanypeopleseemtofindabasissetupthatworksforthemandsticktoit,donothesitatetogobackand
revisityourbasicchassistuningfordifferenttracksorifyoufeelyoumayhavehitaroadblock.Othershave
developedafavoritesetupforeachtracktheyvisitbasedonitsuniquecharacteristics.

TirePressures

TirepressuresareusedtoeffectivelytunetheSkippy(andeveryracecar)sincetireperformanceisakeypartof
howthecarwillperform.Whethertomakeadjustmentstotirepressureorthechassis(SPOorARB)isoftena
matterofpersonalpreferenceafteryouhavedevelopedexperiencewiththecar.

SincetheSkippyisalightweightvehicle,lowertirepressureswillgenerallyresultinmoregriptoapoint.Onthe
otherhand,thesoftersidewallofthetirewillmakethetirelessresponsivetodriverinputs.Highertirepressures
willstiffenthetireandimproveitsresponsivenesstoapoint.However,itmayalsoresultinlessgrip.

Somepeoplerunthesametirepressuresonthefrontandrear.Othersrunahigherpressureontherearsincethis
istheheavierpartofthecarorbecausetheywanttotunethebalanceofthecarthatway.Stillothersrunahigher
pressureonthefrontsincethedynamicweightoftheSkippy(theweighttransferunderbrakingandcornering)
reliesonthefronttires.Tryeachofthemoutandseewhatfeelsbesttoyou.

17

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Sometimes,balancingrelativegrip(alittlemoreinthefrontoralittlelessintherear)isthekeytofindingasetup
thatworksbestforyou.Ifyouarecomfortablewiththebasicchassissetupbutthecarseemstoundersteer,try
reducingthetirepressureatthefrontofthecar(orincreasingitattherear)toprovidemorerelativegripatthe
front.Similarly,ifthecarseemstooversteer,youcouldtryincreasingthetirepressureatthefrontofthecar(or
reducingitattherear)toprovidemorerelativegripattherear.Sometimes,theabsolutepressuresettingsarenot
asimportanttothebalanceofthecarastherelativepressuresettings.

Onceyouhavesettledonafront/rearpressurebalanceyoufeelcomfortablewith,tryincreasingordecreasingthe
pressuresettingsbythesameamountonallfourtirestoseehowthatchangesthebalanceofthecar.Try
changingthepressuresettingby2clicksormoresothatitmakesenoughofadifferencethatyoucanfeelit.Ifyou
feelyoumayhavegonetoofar,backoffoneclickandseehowthatfeels.

Dontforgetthatyoucangettointermediatepressureincrementsbygoingtothetop(orbottom)ofthebasictire
pressurescale(thebluebandsbelow)andthencomingbackintotheoperatingrange.Onceyouhavedonethis,
however,theonlywaytogetbacktoawholenumberistoresettothedefaultsetup.

Poundspersquareinch(psi)
Kilopascals(kPa)

124
131
138
145
152
158
165
172
179
186
193
200
207
214
220
227
234
241
248
255
262
269
276

17.4
18.4
19.4
20.4
21.4
22.4
23.4
24.4
25.4
26.4
27.4
28.4
29.4
30.4
31.4
32.4
33.4
34.4
35.4
36.4
37.4
38.4
39.4

18.0
19.0
20.0
21.0
22.0
23.0
24.0
25.0
26.0
27.0
28.0
29.0
30.0
31.0
32.0
33.0
34.0
35.0
36.0
37.0
38.0
39.0
40.0

18.1
19.1
20.1
21.1
22.1
23.1
24.1
25.1
26.1
27.1
28.1
29.1
30.1
31.1
32.1
33.1
34.1
35.1
36.1
37.1
38.1
39.1
40.1

120
127
134
141
148
154
161
168
175
182
189
196
203
210
216
223
230
237
244
251
258
265
272

18

124
131
138
145
152
159
166
173
180
186
193
200
207
214
221
228
235
242
248
255
262
269
276

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

BrakeBias

AsyougainmoreexperiencewiththeSkippy,youshouldexplorereducingthefrontbrakebiasinorderto
distributethebrakingforcesevenlygivenyourdrivingstyle.Thedefaultsettingof59%isverystableforpeople
becomingfamiliarwiththeSkippy.

Asettingof56%shouldalsobestableformostpeopleandsharemoreofthebrakingloadwiththerearwheels.If
youbrakewithyourrightfoot,youmayfindthatthesettingof56%iscomfortableforyou.

Ifyouarelearningtobealeftfootbrakerandwanttousesometrailbraking(brakingwhileturning)and/or
dynamicbraking(brakingwhilekeepingsomegason),youmaywanttotryalowerfrontbrakebias.

Thebasicruleofthumb(aswithotherchanges)istotrymovingitbacktwoormoreclicks.Iftheresultsare
unsatisfactoryforyourdrivingstyleorlaptimes,addsomemorefrontbrakebiasbackin.

Graphicsfromhttp://members.iracing.com/membersite/member/CarDetail.do?carid=1

19

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

CommonSkippySymptoms/Solutions

Braking

DrivingOptions

Lockupfrontwheelson
braking

Brakeearlier
Brakesofter

Lockuprearwheelson
braking

Brakeearlier
Brakesofter

Longbrakingzone

Spinonbraking

SetupOptions

Brakelater
Brakeharder
Keepsomegasonwhilebraking

Movebrakebiastowardsrear
LowerF/Rtirepressure(moregrip)
Calibratebrakepedals
Changebrakesensitivity
Movebrakebiastowardsfront
LowerF/Rtirepressure(moregrip)
Calibratebrakepedals
Changebrakesensitivity

Movebrakebiastowardsrear

Movebrakebiastowardsfront

LowerF/Rtirepressure(moregrip)

IncreaseF/Rtirepressure(more
stable,lesssnap)

Entry

DrivingOptions

Wontturnintocorner
(frontendundersteer)

Spinonturnin/
(rearendoversteer)

SetupOptions

Slowdownmore/slowdownsooner

Turnmoresmoothly/lessabruptly

Finishbrakingbeforeturning
Donotstabbrakeswhileturning
Donottossthecarintotheturn
Slowreleaseofthebrake,easeonto
throttleIfdynamicbraking,donotlift
offthrottleabruptlywhileturning

IncreaseSPO(morecamberandgrip)
StiffenrearARB
ReduceFtirepressure(moregrip)
IncreaseRtirepressure
ReduceSPO(lesscamberandgrip)
SoftenrearARB
IncreaseFtirepressure(morestable)
LowerRtirepressure(moregrip)

Steeringfeelsunsureor
carisslowtotakeaset
inthecorner

IncreaseSPO(morefrontgrip)
StiffenrearARB(lessreargrip)

Carfeelstooedgyor
respondstooquickly

ReduceSPO(lessfrontgrip)
SoftenrearARB(morereargrip)

20

Reducetirepressures(moregrip)

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Middle
TooMuchUndersteer

DrivingOptions

SetupOptions

AvoidSlowdown/Usepedals
smoothly
ManageEaseoffgas/Tapbrakes

TooMuchOversteer

AvoidSlowdown/Usepedals
smoothly
ManageEaseoffgasoraddgasto
catchtheoversteer

ReduceFtirepressure(morefront
grip)
StiffenrearARBrollbartoreduce
reargrip
IncreaseRtirepressure
ReduceRtirepressure(morerear
grip)
SoftenrearARBtoaddmoregrip
IncreaseFpressure

Exit
UndersteerUnder
Power

DrivingOptions

SetupOptions

Setupearlierforalaterapex
Dontgetonthethrottletoosoon

OversteerUnderPower

Easeontothethrottleratherthan
punchit

ReduceFtirepressure(morefront
grip)
StiffenrearARBtogetlessreargrip
IncreaseRpressure
ReduceRtirepressure(morerear
grip)
SoftenrearARBtogetmorereargrip
IncreaseFpressure

GeneralDrivingTips

Overall

Focusonmanagingandminimizinginputstothecar
Simpleisfast

RPM

Shiftabove6000RPM/Noneedtowaitforrevlimiter(6400RPMorso)
Powerrangeisabove5000RPM

Accelerator

Beeasywithpedalsandpedaltransitions/Trynottostabatpedals
Keepingsomegasonatalltimescanhelpminimizenervousnessincorners

Brake

Beeasywithpedalsandpedaltransitions/Trynottostabatpedals

Steering

Concentrateoncornerexit,notoncornerentrance
Trytogetcarsetearlyandgetbackongasearlyatcornerexit
Tryusingthrottletoaidsteering(anabruptliftcanhelpinducerotation)
Followmarksonthepavementsincethereisareasontheyarethere

Practice

Thereisnobetterwaytogetfasterthanpractice,practice,practice
Figureoutthemostimportantcorner(s)onthetrackandtuneforthosefirst

21

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

Step11=FinalRoadTest(s)

Tryoutthesettingstoseehowcomfortabletheyare.

Goonanextendedrun(racelength)toseehowthecarfeelsoveranextendedperiod.

TryparticipatingasaghostracerinaSpectatorSessiontobeonthetrackwithotherracersbutnotbevisibleto
them.Waituntilsomeonedrivesthroughyourcarforthefirsttime!

DevelopcomfortthatyouarereadytogoracingwiththefamilyofSkippydrivers.

Graphicsfromhttp://members.iracing.com/membersite/member/CarDetail.do?carid=1

GORACING!

22

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

OtherSettings

PedalCalibration

Pedalcalibrationissomethingthatshouldbedoneonaregularbasistoensurethatyourbrakepedalsettings(and
degreeofpedalthrow)areaccuratelyrepresentedinthesimulation.Itwillbeeasiertodriveconsistentlyifyour
brakesettingsareaccurateandreflectyourstyle.

IntheSimulation,gotooptions/settings/

Youmaywanttocalibratepedalsregularly.

ForceFeedbackAdjustment

Oneofthekeystofasterlaptimesisunderstandingthefeedbackfromthecar.Sincewehavetorelyonsightand
hearingandfeeltogetasmuchinformationaspossible,itmakessensethatthesesensoryoptionsbeexpressiveas
possible.

OnewaytodothiscanbethroughtheforcefeedbackoptiononyourracingwheelorfromtheiRacingsystem.For
alessexperiencedracer,increasingtheforcefeedbackcanprovideinformationthat,whensynchronizedwiththe
visualandsoundinformation,willgiveyouabetterunderstandingofwhatthecarisdoing(orisabouttodo).

Onceyouhavedevelopedanunderstandingofthefeedbackthroughthewheel(andthecorrespondingvisualor
soundinformation),youcandecreasetheforcefeedbackifyouwish.However,inthemeantime,thismayprovide
themissinglinkforyoudevelopingabetterfeelfortheperformanceofthecarespeciallythetires.

Alternatively,youmaywanttotryturningtheforcefeedbackdownsoyoufocusinmoreonthevisualandother
feedbackmechanisms.

IntheSimulation,gotooptions/settings/

Youmaywanttotryincreasingordecreasingthe
forcefeedbackuntilyoudevelopafeelforthe
behaviorofthecar.

23

Introduction To Set-up And Tuning 2011 Season 1

BrakeCurveForceFactor

Everyonehastheirowndrivingstyleandanimportantadjustmentcouldbethebrakeforcecurvefactor.This
adjustmentchangesthebrakeresponseinthesimulationinrelationtothepedalthrowbythedriver.Thebasic
optionsareexplainedbelow:

Brake Force Curve Factor

100
Lower Value
Linear
Higher Value
75

Brake Response

Withahighervalue:

InitialPedalThrowbrakeresponsewillbelesssensitive
(iea20%changeinpedalthrowmayresultina10%
changeinbrakingeffort)andthismaymakeiteasierto
findsubtlebrakeeffortsandlesslikelytolockupifyou
stabatthepedals.

HigherPedalThrowbrakeresponsewillbemagnified
attheendofthepedalcurve(iea20%changeinpedal
throwmayresultina40%changeinbrakingeffort)and
thismaymakeithardertofindandholdahighlevelof
braking.

Withalowervalue:

InitialPedalThrowbrakeresponsewillbemagnified
(iea20%changeinpedalthrowmayresultina40%
changeinbrakingeffort)andthismaymakeitharderto
findsubtlebrakeeffortsandeasiertolockup.

HigherPedalThrowbrakeresponsewillbeless
sensitiveattheendofthepedalcurve(iea20%change
inpedalthrowmayresultina10%changeinbraking
effort)andthismaymakeiteasiertofindandholda
highlevelofbraking.

Withasettingof0.0,thebrakesettingwillbelinearcurve(ie
a20%changeinpedalthrowwillresultina20%changein
brakingeffortovertheentirepedalstroke)

50

25

0
0

25

50
Pedal Effort

IntheSimulation,gotooptions/settings/

Acceptdefaultbrakeforcecurvefactororselecta
personalsetting.

24

75

100

Acknowledgments

iRacingStaff

CountlessiRacerswhohavecontributedideasandinputontheiRacingForums

Thefollowingspecificreviewersandcontributors (listedalphabetically):
JayBlass,GlennChalder,DuncanCoppedge,RolandEhnstrom,Dave
Grey,MitchellHibbs,SimonHulbert,MarcoLinke,MichaelLorenson,
LubomirMoric,SeanSiff,RyanTerpstra,SamuliVahonen

SpecialthankstoMarkA.CarpenterforcreatingtheOvalCrewChief101
whichcreatedtheinspirationforthismanual.

Coverimagefoundat

http://media.photobucket.com/image/skippy%20iracing/Mokkiwokki/irac33.jpg

Ifyouhavethoughtsorideasabouthowtomakethismanualeven
better,pleaseletusknowatcontact@iracing.com.

Thesameholdstrueifyoufeelthatthemanualcontainsinformation
whichmaynotbecorrect.

Thanksforyourhelp!