Trackside setup apps vs chassis simulation (Performance Trends & SusProg3D)

Last reviewed: November 13, 2026 · By the RaceYear team · Prices checked November 13, 2026

Short answer: Desktop kinematics programs like Performance Trends Circle Track Analyzer ($219.95 to $319.95 on Windows) and SusProg3D ($300 on Windows) solve winter shop engineering problems: pickup-point coordinates, roll center migration, bump steer curves and camber gain. Mobile setup apps like RaceNight ($3.99 to $12.99/month on iOS and Android) solve Saturday night execution: logging what is actually bolted on the car, tracking tire temps and track changes with zero cell signal, and asking an AI Crew Chief what to adjust before the feature.

Key takeaways

• Performance Trends Circle Track Analyzer and SusProg3D run exclusively on Windows PCs and require measuring dozens of 3D chassis XYZ pickup points with a plumb bob, tape and digital level.
• Most grassroots racers run proven factory chassis (Rocket, Longhorn, Bicknell, Port City, Fury, Maxim, Triple X) where frame pickup points are fixed and weekly speed comes from springs, bars, shocks, scales and stagger.
• Teams that do use SusProg3D or Performance Trends in January still need an offline trackside setup binder like RaceNight from April through October to record real-world changes and results.

Desktop kinematics simulators vs mobile trackside setup apps

Category	Performance Trends Circle Track Analyzer	SusProg3D	RaceNight Mobile Setup App
Primary job	Simulate oval lap times, weight transfer and roll centers from full vehicle geometry	3D suspension kinematics: instant centers, camber gain, anti-dive/squat and bump steer	Record shop baselines, trackside adjustments, scales, tire temps and AI tuning notes
Platforms	Windows PC (XP through Windows 11)	64-bit Windows PC (Windows 10/11)	iPhone, iPad and Android (works 100% offline in the pits)
Published price (USD)	~$219.95 Standard; ~$319.95 Plus (one-time license)	$300 base license ($120 additional seats)	$3.99/mo ($39.99/yr) AI; $12.99/mo ($99.99/yr) Pro; 14-day free trial
Setup time to get value	Hours of measuring spindle, A-arm and chassis pickup coordinates	Hours of 3D coordinate measurement and CAD-style input	Under 3 minutes using pre-built Late Model, Modified, Sprint, Stock or Kart templates
Usable between heat and feature	Rarely (requires laptop and geometry re-entry)	Shop engineering tool	Built specifically for 10-minute pit thrash windows

When do you actually need desktop suspension software?

If you fabricate your own front clip, relocate upper control arm mounts on a street stock, or compare two different spindle kingpin angles over three inches of suspension dive, a kinematics calculator earns its price tag in a single winter. SusProg3D plots exact instant center paths, anti-squat percentages and steering linkage curves through bump and roll, while Performance Trends links suspension changes to simulated corner speed.

If you race a crate late model, IMCA modified, sportsman or sprint car from a major chassis builder, the builder has already engineered the pickup points and hands you a baseline book. Your job every Saturday night is hitting ride heights, dialing cross-weight, picking rear gear ratio and adapting to the dirt or asphalt in front of you.

How to combine winter geometry math with weekly RaceNight logs

1. Run quick pit math directly in your phone browser: For gearing, scales and tire tape math that do not require 3D CAD coordinates, use RaceYear’s free quick change gear ratio calculator, corner weight calculator and tire stagger calculator.
2. Save your chassis builder or simulator baseline in RaceNight: Enter your approved ride heights, upper A-arm slugs, 4-link holes, panhard bar height and spring rates as a named Baseline in RaceNight.
3. Track real-world tire temps and lap times against the model: Simulation assumes a theoretical tire curve; pyrometer readings tell you what the tire actually did. Log inside, middle and outside tire temps after hot laps in RaceNight and let the AI Crew Chief compare tonight’s balance against every prior race at that track.

Frequently asked questions

Do Performance Trends or SusProg3D run on iPhone, iPad or Mac?

No. Both Performance Trends Circle Track Analyzer and SusProg3D are Windows desktop applications. RaceNight runs natively on iOS and Android.

Can RaceNight store 4-link holes, J-bar heights and shock valving?

Yes. RaceNight includes dedicated class templates for 4-link dirt cars, swing-arm and Z-link setups, torsion-bar sprint cars, leaf-spring stocks and asphalt coilover/big-bar soft-spring cars.

What if I also want to track engine and suspension part laps?

RaceNight Pro includes RacePrep, which syncs your completed laps from each race night so you know exact lap counts on valve springs, rod bolts, hubs and shocks.

Sources

• Performance Trends Circle Track Analyzer, checked November 13, 2026: Windows system requirements, Standard and Plus pricing and simulation capabilities.
• SusProg3D Suspension Design Software, checked November 13, 2026: Windows 64-bit platform requirements, US $300 base license pricing and kinematics features.
• RaceYear RaceNight product page, checked November 13, 2026: mobile platforms, offline setup sheets and pricing.