Autosport web is reporting Toshihiro Ichinose (#18 chief engineer) interview on NSX GT3 Evo set-up know-how.
https://www.as-web.jp/supergt/647160?all
*Ichinose (SERVUS Japan, #18 chief engineer) says that he doesn't know NSX GT3 original spec.
*He was ARTA #55 engineer, and now UpGarage #18 chief engineer.
*Ichinose has the impression that the NSX GT3 Evo is a cornering machine with straight line speed.
*He says that NSX GT3 Evo has more downforce than BMW M6 GT3, especially in rear.
However, everyone worried about lack of front downforce of NSX GT3 Evo.
*In 2019, Ichinose and ARTA #55 won the championship by NSX GT3 Evo.
That year, he set up with two things in mind: improving the ground contact of the four wheels to improve tire grip and making the aerodynamics as effective as possible.
It was a setup that sets the front vehicle height to the minimum ground clearance, adds a rake angle to the rear, and increases the front downforce as much as possible.
And it's a suspension setup that allows you to move the downforce balance closer to the front.
*Unlike open-wheel cars, GT3 vehicles that cannot increase the amount of DF with the front wing and flaps have to rely on the rake angle.
*The NSX GT3 Evo is sensitive to rake angles and the amount of downforce changed even at 1mm.
*Due to the rake angle, the amount of downforce not only on the front but also on the entire vehicle has increased.
*However, if there is a rake angle, the front will sink due to braking, and the brake balance will be lost.
*The NSX GT3 Evo regularly uses suspension packers and bump rubber because it wants to suppress changes in the front vehicle height aerodynamically, as in the theory of GT machines.
*Ichinose found a good suspension set-up at #55 engineer era. That's because he knew all about the character of BS tires.
*In 2020, Ichinose transfers to Team UpGarage, and tire brand switched to Yokohama.
*Ichinose says he didn't have an image of how to use Yokohama tires in the Okayama test.
*Starting with how to load the tires, it has now evolved into a more grip-oriented set-up.
*Until last year he was always aware of loading the four wheels, but this year he changed to a set-up that loads the outer side tires.
That's because the tires of the character increase the grip when Yokohama puts a high load on it.
In short, he came up with a completely different set-up than last year.
*Yokohama tires will be different from last year, and they are finding a direction to handle long runs while improving the qualifying time while using a soft compound.
*Yokohama has also improved the structure of its tires, and even with the same compound, it is becoming more grip.
*The NSX GT3 Evo is equipped with a new Bosch ABS, but the team hasn't mastered it well yet.
*The front does not move, the vehicle height is low and there is no static load. It is natural that full braking will be severe.
*Therefore, the set-up is to increase the bottom speed without using much brakes.
*Of course, there are complaints from the driver, but the aerodynamics are effective, so the driver has to put up with it.