Handling & Suspension

Ride Height Rake

Q: Why is positive rake used in track cars?

Positive rake lowers the front of the car relative to the rear, which creates a nose-down attitude. This improves front aerodynamic downforce and can help the car turn in more sharply during corner entry.

Compute rake from front and rear ride heights.

How to Calculate Rake Angle

R% = (Rh - Fh) ÷ Wb × 100

Ride height and rake angle are fundamental suspension geometry settings that affect aerodynamics, handling balance, and weight transfer characteristics. Positive rake means the rear of the vehicle is higher than the front.

Front Ride Height (mm):

Rear Ride Height (mm):

Wheelbase (mm):

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About this tool

The BuildLockr ride height rake calculator helps tuners perfect their chassis stance. Use this tool to calculate your vehicle's exact rake percentage using front height, rear height, and wheelbase. Whether you are dialing in a track car for better aerodynamic downforce or setting up a drag car for weight transfer, this suspension geometry calculator handles the math. This helps builders achieve their target handling characteristics and visual stance with precision.

Typical Rake Settings

Street Cars: 0.5% - 1.5% positive rake.
Track/Road Course: 1.0% - 2.5% positive rake (helps with turn-in and aerodynamic nose-down stability).
Drag Racing: 2.0% - 4.0% positive rake (to pre-load weight transfer to the rear tires).
Drift Setups: Often run lower (0.0% - 1.0%) to maximize overall contact patch and predictability.

Common Ride Height Questions

What is chassis rake?

Chassis rake is the difference in ride height between the front and rear of a vehicle. Positive rake means the rear is higher than the front, which heavily impacts aerodynamics and handling balance.

How do you calculate rake percentage?

To calculate rake percentage, subtract the front ride height from the rear ride height, divide that difference by the vehicle's wheelbase, and then multiply by 100.

Why is positive rake used in track cars?

Positive rake creates a nose-down attitude that improves front aerodynamic downforce and helps reduce underbody drag. It also physically shifts the center of gravity slightly forward, which can sharpen turn-in response.