Track Camber

Track camber is the angle or slope created when one side of a racetrack sits higher than the other side, similar to how a normal road might tilt slightly to help water drain off.

When you drive on regular streets, you might notice the road surface isn't perfectly flat—it often slopes gently from the center toward the edges. Race tracks use this same principle, but the camber can be much more dramatic and serves important purposes beyond just drainage. Understanding track camber helps explain why some corners feel easier to navigate than others and why drivers can take certain turns at surprisingly high speeds.

There are two main types of camber that drivers encounter. Positive camber occurs when the outside edge of a corner sits higher than the inside edge, creating a banking effect that slopes downward toward the apex. This type of camber works with the car, helping it turn and allowing drivers to maintain higher speeds through corners. Negative camber is the opposite situation, where the outside of a turn is lower than the inside, creating a slope that works against the natural cornering forces.

Positive camber provides significant advantages during cornering. When the track banks toward the inside of a turn, gravity helps pull the car in the direction it needs to go, counteracting the centrifugal force that would otherwise push the vehicle outward. This means the tires experience less sideways stress, allowing for better grip and higher cornering speeds. Famous examples include steeply banked oval tracks and speedway bowls, where the extreme banking allows cars to maintain incredible speeds through turns.

Negative camber presents a challenge that requires skill and careful throttle control. When the track slopes away from the direction of the turn, it effectively works against the driver, increasing the likelihood of understeer or oversteer. Drivers must be more cautious with their speed and steering inputs to maintain control. Some track designers intentionally include sections with negative camber to test driver skill and create passing opportunities.

Beyond its effect on cornering dynamics, camber plays a crucial role in track safety by managing water drainage. Rain can make racing extremely dangerous, and proper camber ensures water flows off the track surface rather than pooling in corners where cars need maximum grip. Even on dry days, this drainage design helps tracks dry faster after rain delays.

The amount of camber varies dramatically between different tracks and even between different corners on the same circuit. Some corners might be nearly flat, while others feature pronounced banking. Road courses typically have more subtle camber changes compared to purpose-built oval tracks, where banking can exceed 30 degrees in some cases. These variations mean drivers must constantly adjust their approach as they navigate different sections of a track.