Circle Track Analyzer
The Circle Track Analyzer is a complete vehicle and lap-time simulation program. It includes the roll center calculator as the front suspension screen, and also includes engine power curve, vehicle, rear suspension, and track screens. From this information, it predicts lap times; on-track roll; dive; dynamic corner weights; lateral/longitudinal and vertical g's; engine rpm range; optimum gear ratio; and much more. It has several built-in utility screens to calculate spring rate, weight percentages, and even "virtual scales" to let you know how much to jack a spring to get the desired crossweight.
Suspension Analyzer
This program deals with the suspension only. However, it is a complete three-dimensional program for both front and rear suspensions. It lets you do steering inputs such as bumpsteer and Ackermann, antidive, caster change, rear roll steer, pinion angle change, antisquat, front-to-rear roll couple, and more. Other "adjust" and "optimize" options show the effects of shimming the upper arms or changing ride heights, or find settings for minimum bump steer, roll center height change, and much more.
DataMite Data Logger
This product is an electronics and sensor package that records what is happening on the track. It can record various engine parameters, accelerations, shock travel, steering travel, wheel rpm, etc. From this information, it can calculate A/F ratio, tire slip, lap times, friction circle analysis, general dive and roll of the vehicle, brake/throttle/steering wheel position, and track location. When linked with Suspension Analyzer, it can also show exact dive, roll, steer, roll center location, camber, caster, Ackermann, squat, and rear roll steer at any location on the track.
Steve Smith AutoSports offers several computer programs that are quite useful for all short-track racers. All programs come on CD and are compatible with all Windows operating systems. Complete operating instructions are included with the programs.
Computerized Chassis Setup
This program calculates a baseline chassis setup for optimum racing performance. It specifies a starting setup for a competitor's particular race car and track. Weights and measurements from a race car are entered into the program, along with information about the type and size of the racetrack, type of tire, track banking, and so on. The program then specifies spring rates and shock absorbers for each corner, sway bar rate (if the car uses one), corner weights, weight percentages, and crossweight.
Computerized Chassis Setup also contains additional resources to compute minimum tire stagger, proper final gear ratio, front roll center, roll couple distribution, and front antidive. It also contains a program to calculate the spring rate of a coil spring, leaf spring, torsion bar (solid or hollow), aftermarket sway bar, and stock sway bar.
This program is useful for any racing vehicle running on a dirt or paved oval track-Street Stock, Sportsman, Late Model, Modified, Sprint Car, etc.
Race Driving Simulator
Race Driving Simulator teaches competitors how to develop the optimum racing line for quick lap times. By defining certain parameters, a line around a corner is generated and split times are read off the screen to compare different approaches to the corner.
Users can learn when to apex early or late, and when to use a diamond line. They can evaluate the trade-off between mid-corner speed and getting on the throttle early. The program helps drivers know when to sacrifice speed in order to get on the throttle sooner. Conversely, they can learn when to maximize corner speed at the expense of early throttle application. The simulator can even demonstrate when exit speed is over-rated.
Race Driving Simulator provides a study of how the car's capabilities-power, cornering, and braking-relate to racing line choice. Not only is this useful for lowering lap times, but it can also teach users how to alter their lines to pass an equal car, or how to set up a re-pass maneuver.