Glossary
What is Camber? Definition, Typical Angles & How to Adjust It
Camber is the angle of the wheel relative to vertical when viewed from the front of the car, measured in degrees. Negative camber (top of the tyre leaning in) keeps more tread on the road as the chassis rolls in a corner. Most circuit race cars run between -1.5° and -4.0° at the front and slightly less at the rear.
| Discipline | Front | Rear | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formula / open-wheel | -2.5° to -4.0° | -1.0° to -2.0° | High-downforce cars run less because aero load squares up the tyre |
| GT / sports car | -2.5° to -3.5° | -1.5° to -2.5° | Wide slicks tolerate more negative camber |
| Touring / production | -1.5° to -3.0° | -1.0° to -2.0° | Limited by strut geometry and road-based suspension |
| Speedway sedan (oval) | LF +1° to +3°, RF -3° to -5° | RR ~ -1°, LR ~ +1° | Asymmetric: car only turns left |
| Karting | 0° to -1° | n/a | Set via front stub-axle eccentrics; rear is a solid axle |
Why camber matters
When a car corners, body roll and tyre deflection tilt the outside wheel towards positive camber. Starting with negative static camber means the contact patch is flat and fully loaded at the moment it matters most. The price is a smaller contact patch when the car is upright, which costs braking and straight-line traction.
The right amount depends on tyre construction, roll stiffness, camber gain in the suspension geometry and how much downforce squashes the tyre. That is why a published number is only a starting point and tyre temperatures are the real judge.
How to set and check camber
Measure with a camber gauge against the wheel rim at ride height with the driver's weight in the car. Adjust using shims, eccentric bolts, upper control arm length or strut-top plates depending on the suspension type. Always re-check toe after a camber change because they interact.
After a session take tyre temperatures across inner, middle and outer tread within a minute of stopping. If the inner edge is more than about 15°C hotter than the outer edge you likely have too much negative camber; if the outer edge is hottest, add more.
Frequently asked questions
Is more negative camber always faster?
No. Past the point where the tyre is flat mid-corner, extra negative camber only reduces the contact patch in braking and acceleration and overheats the inner shoulder. Use tyre temperature spread to find the ceiling for your tyre and chassis.
Why do speedway cars run positive camber on the left front?
On an oval the car only turns left, so the left-front wheel is the inside wheel in every corner. Positive camber on that corner and strong negative camber on the right-front keep both contact patches flat while the chassis is rolled to the right.
How often should camber be checked?
Check it at every setup session and any time a wheel has hit a kerb or wall hard. Camber drifts as bushes and rod ends wear, and a 0.5° difference side to side is enough to feel.
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