I've always wondered why the major track circuits have the apex's of the turns in semi raised cement ( part where its painted red/white). I understand that the best lines lead you to hit the apex on that part of the corner, but how does the offset of balance because of the suspension hopping help at all? Why aren't they just flat?

I ask because isn't the smoothest and least bouncy line better for keeping the cars weight in check?

i.e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuTtLYhFJT4
watch around 3:07

i just wanna know why cause obviously pro's do it, i just dont understand

 

Doesn't have much effect, since all the weight is on the outside tires. If I hit the curbing on the cool-down lap, I feel the bumping far more than at full speed during a race. It's far better to be up on the curbing, even on high speed turns, than to be missing the apex.

 

yeah i dont know much of the technical reasons why it doesnt upset the car but its usually more beneficial to go up on curb and hit apex then not, and sometimes, like in up hill turns it actually helps rotate/grip to get thru a turn better. anyways just my personal opservation.

 

The curbing is there because people try to minimize the distance of the straight. If the curb wasn't there and the track ended abruptly, people would still put the inside wheels in the dirt (since typically they're not loaded, or very little) and eventually you would have a ditch there, which would be dangerous (like the esses @ streets).

 

This is exactly the case. The curbing is to prevent the edge of the track being dug up and carried out onto the track.

 

that makes sense

thanks people!