Keith Code: A Twist of the Wrist

Keith Code is the founder and director of California Superbike Cornering Schools and has published a number of books on the subject of racing motorcycles on speed tracks. This book deals with advanced riding techniques for the track as well as the road.

The information contained in "A Twist of the Wrist" is intended to be used by a rider to investigate and master the basic riding skills covered in each chapter. The information contained in it has been developed by Keith during more than six years of training more than 2 ,5OO riders and getting either improved lap times or increased rider confidence. For example, he shows how you can judge the surface you're on, its cambers, slopes, channels, etc. and how to adapt to it. He also tells you when to use counter-steer and when to steer conventionally and how to use braking and weight transfer to your advantage in addition to many other topics as mentioned below.

Keith's philosophy is: "No matter how many other riders are on the track, you must still rely on your own ability. The track is the ever-present challenge-not the other riders. This idea has been strengthened over the years through my observation that the most successful racers can go nearly as fast in practice as they do in the race." Keith says that there is a certain magic in using information that is understood, and the best way to do it is one step at a time. In this book, he teaches you to go over the information and really understand it, then go out and apply it, bit by bit, mastering each point to establish a certainty that you can do it.

The two main points that the book revolves around are:

• Simplifying the actions of riding by defining the basics, and by investigating the decisions one must make to ride well. By covering the basics and giving you an understanding of everything, you can free up your attention for other stuff like riding style.
• Attention has its limits: The things that you do not understand are the things that will take up most of your attention. Therefore, knowing more means you can make other observations and understand what you're doing. Keith says,'If you know what you have done, you know what can be changed.'

Publisher: California Superbike School

Contents:

1. Foreword
2. Author's Note
3. Introduction
4. CHAPTER ONE
   The Road You Ride
   The Mysteries of Asphalt Revealed
5. CHAPTER TWO
   What You Do
   You Become A Scientist
6. CHAPTER THREE
   The Product
   Developing Precision With Understanding
7. CHAPTER FOUR
   What You See
   Programming Your Computer Through the Eyes
8. CHAPTER FIVE
   Timing
   Putting Things in Order
9. CHAPTER SIX
   Decisions
   Decision Making: Recipe for Ski l l
10. CHAPTER SEVEN
    Barriers
    Keys to Improvement
11. CHAPTER EIGHT
    Braking
    The Art of Regulating Speed
12. CHAPTER NINE
    Steering
    It Happens Backwards
13. CHAPTER TEN
    Slipping and Sliding
    Traction: How to Lose it and Use it
14. CHAPTER ELEVEN
    Hanging Off
    It Looks Good and it Works
15. CHAPTER TWELVE
    Passing
    Who Was That lJust Passed?
16. CHAPTER THIRTEEN
    Supervise Yourself
    Yes, Homework is Necessary
17. CHAPTER FOURTEEN
    Advice
    Ask Your Best Friend-You!
18. CHAPTER FIFTEEN
    How to Fall
    Relax-You're Just Road-Testing Your Leathers
19. CHAPTER SIXTEEN
    Sponsorship
    There ls No Free Lunch
20. A Parting Word
21. Appendix

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Keith J. Wakeham: Introduction To Chassis Design

The book 'Introduction to Chassis Design' by Keith J. Wakeham is intended to give a better understanding of the fundamental requirements of a chassis along with information on how to start and optimize a design. It is intended for undergraduate and graduate engineering students who are interested in automotive vehicle engineering. While the book makes usage of FEA software, the principles of how things work and the recognition of problem areas will not need software. However it will need a good understanding of statics, dynamics, stress, strain, mechanics of solids, axial forces, shear forces, bending, torsion, angular and normal deflections, and mass moment of inertia.

The technical nature of the book makes it extremely detail oriented in every aspect. It covers a lot of areas including Impact protection, Suspension, Carbon Tubs, Monocoques, Spaceframe chassis, etc.

The book is available for download at Keith's website (keithwakeham.com). Click here to download it.

Contents:

1. Introduction
1. Theory
1. Understanding
1. Introduction
1. Key Points
2. Time Constraints
3. Suspension
1. Key Points
4. Protection
5. Aerodynamic influence
6. Tube Theory in practice
2. Suspension
1. Introduction to Suspension
2. Short Long Arm
3. Computer String Calculator
3. Impact protection
1. Introduction
2. Sancationed Rules
3. Impact Simulations
4. Formula One Testing
5. Lemans Testing
6. Recommended Tests
7. Static Tests
8. Formula One Testing
9. Lemans Testing
10. Recommended Tests
2. Design Reference
1. Project Description
1. Describe your project
2. Specifications
2. Ladder Frame
1. Introduction to Ladder Frame Design
2. Ladder Frame torsional ridgitity
3. X bracing
4. Evolution
3. Space Frame
1. Introduction to Space Frame Design
2. Audi Aluminum Space Frame
3. Skinned Space Frame
4. “Backbone”
1. Introduction to Backbone
2. Hybird Backbone Spaceframe
5. “Tub”
1. Introduction to “Tub” Design
6. Monocoque
1. Introduction to General Monocoque Design
2. Wall buckling
3. Angular Monocoque
4. Carbon Fiber Monocoque
1. Orthotropic Elasticity
3. Design Walkthrough
1. Design Process overview
1. Design Steps
2. Two Seat Sports car “Tub” Frame
1. “Tub” Introduction: K1
2. Ideas
3. Mark I
4. Mark II and Mark III
5. Mark IV and Mark V
6. Mark VI and Mark VII
7. Mark VIII
8. Mark IX
9. Mark X
10. Mark XI - Final
11. K1
12. Final Words
3. Lemans Style Angular Monocoque
1. Angular Monocoque Introduction: FM2
2. Project Description
3. Testing Setup
4. Mark I
5. Mark II
6. Mark III
7. Mark IV
8. Mark V
9. Mark VI - Final
10. Mark VI - Convergence
2. Afterword

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Michael Costin, David Phipps: Racing and Sports Car Chassis Design

The aim of Michael Costin and David Phipps' Racing and Sports Car Chassis Design is to provide information on the more advanced type of chassis and suspension in a form which will be understood by the large majority of motoring enthusiasts. Technical terms and formulae have been kept to a minimum, but those which are considered essential for the more serious student of design are contained in appendices at the end of the text.

The book is published with the hope of doing something to promote better understanding of the finer points of design and help would be chassis builders to avoid some of the more obvious pitfalls which await them. It cannot be too strongly emphasized that the basic requirements for success in this sphere, as in many others, are awareness of all the difficulties involved and ability to integrate innumerable conflicting elements into a balanced design.

Publisher: Bentley Pub.

Contents:

1. Preface
2. Acknowledgement
3. List of Illustrations
4. Chapter:
1. The Purpose of the Chassis:
   Chassis History – Suspension History
   
2. The Main Types of Chassis
   Twin Tube or Ladder Frame Chassis – Multi-tubular Chassis – Space Frames – Unitary Construction
   
3. Materials
   Welding – Brazing
   
4. The Principles of a True Space Frame
   
5. Analysis – Space Frames and Unitary Construction Chassis
   The Lotus Mark 8 – The Space Frame Lister Jaguar – Mercedes Benz 300SL – Lola Sports – 1960 Formula One Lotus – 1961 Formula Junior Lotus – Lotus Nineteen – 1960 Formula Junior Lola – 1959 Formula Junior Elva – The C-type Jaguar – The D-type Jaguar – The Lotus Elite – The Lotus 25
   
6. Analysis – Multi-Tubular and Other Chassis
   The Formula One Cooper – Cooper Monaco – The rear-engined Formula One Ferrari – The 1958 Lister-Jaguar – The Maserati Type 60/61
   
7. Suspension Principles
   What is Roadholding? – Weight – Weight Distribution – Centre of Gravity – Weight Transfer – Sprung and Unsprung Weight – Roll Centres – Suspension Frequency – Tyres – Wheel Stiffness – Rim Width – Anti-Roll bars – Springs – Wheelbase and Track – Handling – Adjustable Suspension – Braking
   
8.  Suspension Practice and Types
   Trailing Link – Wishbones – Strut-Type Suspension – Swing Axle – Sliding Pillar – Live Axle – De Dion – Tyre Pressures
   
9. Designing a Motor Car
   Front Suspension – Rear Suspension – Mounting rackets – General – Methods of Mounting Suspension – Engine Mountings – Steering Gear Mountings – Body Mountings – Exhaust Pipe Mountings – Engines and Transmissions – Brakes – Radiators – Oil Coolers – Electrical Wiring – Seats – Controls – Luggage
5. Appendices
1. Chassis Stress Calculations
2. Materials
3. Suspension Calculations
6. Glossary
7. Index

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Brian Beckman: The Physics of Racing

The Physics of Racing is a collection of free articles by Brian Beckman, PhD.

Here's what Dr Brian says:

My overall goal with the series is to present a fresh outlook on racing physics, understandable to the technically inclined non-specialist. The problems I consider come from a variety of sources. Often, they're motivated by computer simulation, and just as often they arise from competition experiences. Some of the later articles get very technical, but I always try to balance conceptual discussion, which everyone should be able to understand, with mathematical analysis, which might be of interest only to specialists, and with numerical results, which, again, should be universally accessible.

Its a great compilation taking apart each topic of discussion one at a time starting with weight transfer. Its basic objective is to promote a better understanding of everything that goes on while racing a car and how to make the best use of that understanding for a faster lap time.

Click here to download the PDF: Brian Beckman's Physics of Racing Series.

Carroll Smith: Tune to Win

Carroll Smith's Tune to Win (The art and science of race car development and tuning) is the successor to his earlier book, Prepare to Win. The 170 page book, according to the author, isn't intended to be a step by step instruction manual for decreasing the lap times of a racing car. Instead, he intends it to be a mind opening exercise to promote a better understanding of vehicle dynamics and a fuller appreciation of the problems of control and response at high force levels.

It covers some very interesting topics of discussion. Some of my favorites are: Suspension geometry and design, Aerodynamics, Tires and their contact patches. Also included are competitive driving tips for faster lap times. Recommended for people interested in competitive driving/racing and automobile enthusiasts in general looking to get the best out of their cars.

Publisher: Aero Publishers

Contents:

1. Vehicle Dynamics - What's it all about?
2. The Racing Tire
3. Weight, Mass Load and Load Transfer
4. Suspension Geometry
5. Steering Geometry and Self Steering Effects
6. Rates and Rate Control - Springs and Anti-Roll Bars
7. The Shock Absorber
8. External Aerodynamics
9. Cooling and Internal Aerodynamics
10. The Brakes
11. Understeer, Oversteer, Stability and Response
12. Tuning the Engine
13. The Drive Line
14. The Peculiar Case of the Large Sedan
15. Racing in the Rain
16. Putting It All Together
17. Everything Else
18. The End

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A. Graham Bell: Two Stroke Performance Tuning

The author viewed 2 stroke engines with contempt until he was persuaded by two of his friends to prepare a 250cc Bultaco motorcycle for National Motocross Championship which ended up finishing 3rd with a B grade rider on board. Here's what Graham Bell says:

"From then on the challenge has not abated as I have strived to unravel the mystery of what makes a two-stroke tick. Instead of looking on the two-stroke with contempt, I now view this little marvel with fascination. Four-stroke engine development has just about reached its peak, but there is much yet to be learned about the two-stroke power unit."

Two Stroke Performance Tuning is a very thorough book aimed at understanding and tuning two stroke engines for maximum power and reliability.

Publisher: Haynes Publishing

Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The cylinder head
3. Porting and cylinder scavenging
4. The exhaust
5. Carburation
6. Ignition
7. The bottom end
8. Lubrication and cooling
9. Power measurement and gearing
10. Appendix I:
    a. Introduction
    

    b. Motocross modifications

    c. Enduro modifications

    d. Road race modifications
11. Appendix II - Table of useful equivalents
12. Appendix III -Speciality suppliers

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A. Graham Bell: Four Stroke Performance Tuning

A very detailed book on engine tuning for greater performance. The author, A. Graham Bell, credited with writing some of the best engine tuning books, explains what each modification does and why, along with dynamometer readings for proof. This almost 400 page book should serve as the foundation for people looking to get the most out of their engines themselves. As of this date, this book is currently in its 4th edition.

Publisher: Haynes Publishing

Contents:

1. An Introduction to Four-Stroke Engine Tuning Principles.
2. The Air Inlet System
3. The Cylinder Head
4. Carburation
5. Electronic Fuel Injection
6. Fuel and Fuel Boosters
7. Combustion and the Ignition System
8. The Engine Management System
9. The Exhaust System
10. Camshaft and Valve Train
11. The Bottom End
12. Lubrication
13. Cooling
14. Power Measurement and Tuning

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