The physics engine is designed to provide one thing above all else: Realistic driving. This means that it can be very difficult to drive the cars when they are set up to minimize lap times, although they can be set up in ways that allow the cars to be easy to control.
The model uses the front view suspension geometry for a double wishbone system at all four wheels. The arm lengths, mounting locations, shock position and angle, along with a few offsets to allow washer/bolt adjustments are used to resolve the forces as they're acted through the chassis. This method is great because the wheel rate can change with travel as the shock/spring angles change, the camber changes correctly with wheel travel, the caster angle and kingpin axis effect steer camber, etc.. Instant centers will be used to react forces through the roll centers that actually move with wheel travel and are defined directly by the suspension settings. This will give rise to jacking forces, so altering the roll center height at one end of the car may cause it to lift slightly when cornering, which will change transient under/oversteer characteristics, change the camber curve, etc..
In short, with this system, you don't just set the camber angle. You can adjust it about 16 different ways at each wheel, all giving slightly different handling effects.
This physics engine is available in DLL form and can be used for a variety of uses beyond video games. Interested parties may contact the author at jtwasson@performancesimulations.com
Deuce Coupe with 750 hp and street tires sliding through this corner at only .66g. With some fat slicks on the rear, it runs the 1/4 mile in 9 seconds flat. On street tires, it's tough to drive hard, to say the least!
Ferrari 333 Sp. Beautiful car, and very fast!
More pages: