Originally Posted by andrewdoherty

Since were discussong the mental mindsets we develop to build and tune cars I'll bring up a point I haven't sen addressed. Most if not all of the settings we change on model cars can be envisioned as a linear number line laid over a roof top. Lets say side spring stiffness from softest like an AE black or CRC .45 on the left side of the roof to an AE red or CRC .60 on the right side. The direction you want to adjust the stiffness of the side spring depends on which side of the roof peak you're on. The roof peak is our optimal setting. In addition the roof peak is not always in the center of the scale and also moves as other changes to the car are made. For example (this is hypothetical for the sake of explaining my thought) in modified 12th in high traction the peak of the roof is generally skewed to the far left which leads to the use of soft springs to avoid lifting inside rear tires. The peak can move dependent on several factors such as grip level, vehicle speed, and track configuration. This helps to explain how two drivers can make opposite changes in different conditions and both feel that they added grip. Their racing environment placed their original settings on opposite sides of the roof peak and while one went with stiffer springs, or lube or whatever and the other person went softer, they were both moving towards the peak of the roof for their specific set of circumstances. Food for thought...