Brake Bias

Brake bias is the distribution of braking force between the front and rear wheels of a race car, typically expressed as a percentage that shows how much braking power goes to each end of the vehicle.

In most racing situations, drivers use more front brake bias because when you hit the brakes, the car's weight shifts forward. This puts more load on the front tires, giving them better grip to handle the extra braking force. A typical setup might be 60% front and 40% rear, meaning the front brakes do most of the work.

However, brake balance isn't a "set it and forget it" adjustment. Race car drivers can change their brake bias during a race using controls inside the cockpit. They might adjust it based on track conditions, how their car is handling, or even as the fuel tank gets lighter throughout the race.

When brake bias is set too far forward, the front wheels might lock up under heavy braking, causing the car to slide straight ahead instead of turning into corners. This is called understeer, and it's like trying to steer a shopping cart with locked front wheels.

On the flip side, too much rear brake bias can cause the back wheels to lock up first. This makes the rear of the car want to swing around, creating oversteer that could lead to a spin. It's a delicate balance that requires constant fine-tuning.

Different track conditions call for different brake balance settings. In wet weather, drivers often shift the bias toward the rear to prevent the front wheels from locking on the slippery surface. On tracks with lots of heavy braking zones, they might prefer more front bias for stability.

Professional race cars use sophisticated systems like proportioning valves or electronic controls to adjust brake bias. Some drivers make these adjustments multiple times per lap, optimizing their braking performance for each corner based on speed, track conditions, and how their car is behaving.