Speed Secrets: The Dreaded Understeer/Oversteer Problem

Features, Racing I By Ross Bentley I April 03, 2019

"The car understeers early in the corner, then snaps to oversteer at the exit."

That's a common complaint from track day and race drivers. Most often, the priority becomes fixing the exit oversteer because it's "scarier." But the only car problem is the understeer. See, when the driver experiences understeer, the natural instinct is to turn the wheel more – it's human nature. When steering input increases, the car scrubs off speed until the front tires hook up and gain traction, sending the car immediately towards the inside of the turn…and the car oversteers. So, the understeer is a car problem, and the oversteer was caused by the driver. Fix the understeer and the oversteer goes away. That's why it's important for the driver to be aware of what they’re doing with the controls when the handling problem occurs.

The next time you experience the understeer-oversteer problem (and you will if you drive on a track enough), stop and ask yourself what you're doing with the steering wheel when the understeer begins. If you're like most drivers, at first you won't believe that you're turning the steering wheel too much. But if you really think about it, you may realize you are what's causing the oversteer.

Of course, the best thing you can possibly do is spend time on a skid pad, training yourself not to add more steering when your car understeers. It’s easy to say, and even easier for me to write, “When you experience understeer, reduce your steering angle.” But I know from experience, that it’s not easy to actually straighten the steering when you sense you’re on an ever-increasing radius, no matter how good a driver you are. And that’s why practice time on a skid pad is so valuable (not to mention that it’s an absolute blast!).

Be aware of what you're doing with the controls any time the car is doing something you don't want it to do; you may learn that it's not completely the car's fault.

 

Ross Bentley

For more information about Ross’s tips, coaching, eCourses, newsletter, Virtual Track Walk videos, and other resources to help you drive at your best, go to www.SpeedSecrets.com

The Guide to Road Racing: Winding Road Magazine's ultimate guide to getting your start in racing.

Table of Contents

Related Articles

Planes, Yachts, the World’s Greatest Cars, and a Nearly $100 Million Auction: All Things Luxury Flock to ModaMiami’s Highly Anticipated Second Year

ModaMiami returns on March 1-2, 2025, set to display nearly 400 of the world’s greatest cars, premium luxury brands from every facet of collecting, and…

January 29, 2025
Lamborghini SC63 To Make Daytona 24 Hours Debut As Factory Entry

Quartet of Bortolotti, Grosjean, Kvyat and Mortara to tackle first GTP entry as an official factory team Sant’Agata Bolognese/Daytona Beach, 21 January 2025 – Lamborghini Squadra…

January 21, 2025
Three of Ferrari’s “Big Six” to Headline RM Sotheby’s Miami Sale This March

BLENHEIM, Canada, 15 January 2025 – RM Sotheby’s has announced the first official highlights of its Miami 2025 auction lineup. During the highly anticipated ModaMiami…

January 15, 2025
History-makers and Record-breakers

Uniting Bugatti’s Quartet of World Record Cars for the First Time Molsheim, December 10, 2024 – 453.91 km/h is the new top-speed world record for…

December 10, 2024
“Porsche Outlaws” – Chronicles the Porsche hot-rodding subculture

PORSCHE OUTLAWS: STUTTGART HOT RODS, by Michael Alan Ross • Available October 1, 2024 •PREVIEW HERE: https://bit.ly/PorscheOutlaws  Get an inside look at the irreverent, rule-breaking…

August 09, 2024

EMAIL SIGN UP

Get the latest driving and racing news straight to your inbox.

no thanks

Begin typing your search above and press return to search.