NHRA Technical Reminder: Battery Location

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Travis Miller

Although it has been a while since I read his suspension book, as best I remember Dave Morgan wrote that an ideal place to put ballast was from the centerline of the rear axle to just ahead of it. The heavier the car is at that point, the harder it will plant the tires when the rear suspension tries to spread on a launch. If the car goes into a wheelstand the weight is still right where it is needed. His theory is putting ballast closer to the rear bumper on a car with a long overhang is a waste and causes the car to pivot on the rear tires.

Travis

(Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.)

You are correct...that is the reason why many cars do a porpoise movement while going down the track: they have put ballast close or behind the rear bumper.