Formula Vee - Classic

TYRES

• Bias-ply spec tyre, Front: 15.0 PSI, Rear: 16.0 PSI, optimal operating temp: 70–85°C

ELECTRONICS

• TC: N/A (none fitted) | ABS: N/A (none fitted) | Brake magic/engine braking: N/A | Brake Bias: F 58% / R 42%

SUSPENSION

• // FRONT
• Spring Perch Offset: 4.5 turns (raised slightly from min to reduce scrub on kerbs while keeping front end responsive)
• ARB Diameter: 19.05mm (3/4 in, stiffest — maximise front roll resistance for quick direction changes through Tsukuba's tight infield)
• // REAR
• Spring Perch Offset: 3.0 turns
• Pushrod Offset: 2.5 turns (lower rear stance to reduce swing-axle jacking effect under load, stabilising throttle-on rotation out of Hairpin and Turn 9)

KEY SETUP NOTE

• Tsukuba's tight, low-speed nature (Hairpin, final chicane) punishes swing-axle jacking under power — running a slightly lower rear via Pushrod Offset combined with the stiffest front ARB keeps the rear planted on throttle while still allowing the front to rotate aggressively into the many second-gear corners; sacrifice a little front bite on initial turn-in for stability at max lean and mid-corner throttle application, since a snapped rear in a 69hp car with no TC will cost far more than a fraction of understeer.

TRACK GUIDE

• Turn 1 (right-hander after start/finish): late-brake in a straight line, trail off gently — carrying too much brake into rotation unsettles the swing axle immediately.
• Hairpin (Turn 3): this is the biggest time-gain corner — brake earlier than instinct dictates, rotate the car with a small lift, then get back to full throttle progressively; a Formula Vee wants patience here, not late apex heroics.
• Esses (Turns 5-7): minimum steering input, use the kerbs lightly with wheels only (not chassis) to keep momentum — scrubbing speed here is the #1 amateur mistake.
• Final chicane into the front straight: exit speed is everything — sacrifice a tenth on entry to maximise throttle application onto the straight, since the Vee's low power means every km/h carried onto the straight compounds for 15+ seconds.
• Overall: this is a momentum car on a momentum track — smoothness and minimum scrub beat late-braking bravado; the fastest laps are won by carrying corner speed, not outbraking others into corners.