Rally driving is an exhilarating and challenging sport that demands a lot from both driver and vehicle. The conditions encountered in a rally can range from dry tarmac to slippery gravel, and everything in between.
To cope with the varied demands of a rally, the suspension and braking systems of a rally car are highly specialized and modified from those of a standard production vehicle. In this article, we will discuss the changes made to the suspension and braking systems of rally cars.
Suspension System Changes
The suspension system of a rally car is modified to cope with the challenging terrain and conditions of rally stages. The changes made to the suspension system of a rally car include:
- Increased Ride Height: To cope with the rough terrain and obstacles encountered on rally stages, the ride height of a rally car is increased. This ensures that the car’s undercarriage does not scrape on the ground, which can cause damage to the vehicle and lead to a loss of control.
- Stiffer Springs: Stiffer springs are used in the suspension system of a rally car to provide better handling and stability. Stiffer springs also reduce body roll, which can help improve the car’s cornering abilities.
- Dampers: Dampers are used to absorb shocks and vibrations from the road. In a rally car, high-performance dampers are used to provide better handling and stability, especially over uneven surfaces.
- Reinforced Chassis: The chassis of a rally car is reinforced to make it stronger and more rigid. This ensures that the suspension components work more effectively and reduces the risk of failure.
- Adjustable Camber and Toe Angles: Camber and toe angles are adjusted to suit the different surfaces encountered on a rally stage. These adjustments help to ensure that the car’s wheels maintain maximum contact with the ground, providing better grip and handling.
Braking System Changes
The braking system of a rally car is also modified to cope with the extreme demands of rallying. The changes made to the braking system of a rally car include:
- Larger Brake Discs and Calipers: Larger brake discs and calipers are used to cope with the increased demands of rally driving. The larger discs and calipers provide greater stopping power and heat dissipation, which reduces the risk of brake fade.
- Brake Cooling: Brake cooling is essential in a rally car to prevent brake fade. Rally cars are equipped with high-performance cooling systems to ensure that the brakes do not overheat during a rally stage.
- Brake Bias: Brake bias is adjusted to suit the different surfaces encountered on a rally stage. This ensures that the brakes provide maximum stopping power on all surfaces, including gravel, tarmac, and snow.
Advantages of Rally Suspension and Braking System Modifications
- Improved Handling and Stability: The modifications made to the suspension and braking systems of a rally car improve its handling and stability, making it easier to control on difficult terrain.
- Better Grip and Traction: The modifications made to the suspension system of a rally car provide better grip and traction, especially over uneven surfaces. The modifications made to the braking system provide better stopping power, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Increased Durability: The modifications made to the suspension and braking systems of a rally car make it more durable and able to withstand the rigors of rally driving.
Disadvantages of Rally Suspension and Braking System Modifications
- Increased Cost: The modifications made to the suspension and braking systems of a rally car can be expensive, making it challenging for amateur rally drivers to afford.
- Reduced Comfort: The modifications made to the suspension system of a rally car can make the ride less comfortable, especially on smooth roads.
