STATIC WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION

Static weight distribution is best described as the weight resting on each of the four tyres with the car loaded as it is usually driven. Full race mode must be in effect when setting up static weight, which means the driver should be seated in the car, with a full fuel tank, and correct tyre pressures (yes, this will affect it). Static weight distribution covers two key weight percentages, left to right and front to back.

In a perfect world you want a left to right balance of 50% each side with the driver included. To find the left-weight percentage, add the front left wheel weight to the rear left weight and divide the sum by the total weight. Similarly, to find the rear-weight percentage, add the left rear wheel to the right rear weight and divide the sum by the total weight. A 50/50 balance is usually the ideal goal for a rear-wheel drive circuit car, although front-wheel drives — like the Honda we weighted — want closer to 60/40.

Adjusting static weight distribution can only be done by moving weight around the car, so for instance you could move the battery closer to the left side to increase its percentage or further away to decrease it. Adding ballast is another option — but comes at the cost of added weight.

WITH THE CIVIC ON THE SCALES, AND THE DRIVER IN THE SEAT, THIS IS THE FIRST READING THE SCALES GAVE US. WITH A FWD HONDA, THE IDEAL REAR WEIGHT PERCENTAGE WE WERE SEARCHING FOR WAS 40% — A 50/ 50 BALANCE ( USED ON RWDS) WOULD MAKE THE CAR TEND TO WANT...