Tire Contact Patch-- the contact patch of the tire is that small footprint of the tire that is in contact with the road. Virtually everything you do to improve a car's handling is to maximize the size and performance of this small area of rubber in touch with the road. Understanding what is happening to the tire contact patch during racing, and what happens as a result of suspension modifications is key to making improvements to car's handling performance.
Below is a list of automotive and road racing terms. Click on any of the letters to go to the start of that section, click on the term to open a window with the definition.
aerodynamic
anti-roll bar
apex
aspect ratio
backmarker
balaclava
balance, handling
bedding pads
blip, throttle
blocking
blow-off valve
brake bias
braking point
brake-turning
breathing the throttle
bump steer
camber
camber, negative
camber, positive
castor
chicane
chief steward
contact patch, tire
corner apex
corner entry
corner exit
corner station
corner turn-in
corner worker
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tactile feedback
tight (handling)
trail braking
toe
turn-in point
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