In motorsport, precision isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re drifting sideways at full lock or pushing for tenths on a time attack lap, small changes in alignment can mean the difference between a podium finish and a frustrating DNF. One of the most overlooked yet incredibly powerful tools in a driver’s setup arsenal is the toe plate.
At SLRspeed, we know this truth firsthand. Our journey began in 2006, drifting BMWs and realizing that no one was making the parts we needed. So, we made them ourselves—starting with custom knuckles and evolving into a full range of bolt-on solutions for steering geometry. Today, our mission remains the same: give drivers the tools to go faster, drive harder, and have more fun—without overcomplicating things. Toe plates fit perfectly into that mission.
What is a Toe Plate?
If you’ve ever tried to check or adjust your car’s wheel alignment without an expensive alignment rack, you’ll appreciate the beauty of a toe plate.
A toe plate is a flat, usually aluminum, panel that you place against each of your front wheels to measure the difference between the front and rear edges of the tires. With the help of two simple tape measures, you can quickly determine your toe-in or toe-out without fancy equipment.
It’s an old-school trick used by race teams, drifters, and weekend warriors alike—because it’s fast, accurate enough for track work, and can be done anywhere, from your garage to the paddock.
Why Toe Matters in Motorsport
Toe is the angle at which your wheels point inward (toe-in) or outward (toe-out) when viewed from above. It directly affects how your car handles:
- Toe-in gives stability in a straight line, making the car feel planted at high speeds.
- Toe-out makes steering more responsive, helping the car turn in sharply—ideal for drifting and autocross.
Even a small adjustment—sometimes as little as 1/16 of an inch—can completely transform how the car feels on track. That’s why having an easy, repeatable way to measure it is so valuable.
The Problem with Traditional Alignment
Most alignment shops are set up for street cars. They aim for manufacturer specs, not the aggressive, specialized settings that performance driving demands. If you’re running custom knuckles, modified control arms, or non-standard ride heights (which we know many of you are), a regular alignment shop often won’t have the right baseline—or the patience—to get things perfect.
Plus, when you’re testing at the track, you don’t have the luxury of booking a shop mid-day. That’s where toe plates shine: you can make quick adjustments between sessions, adapting to changing grip levels or handling quirks.
Toe Plates vs. Other Tools
There are plenty of ways to measure toe, from laser alignment rigs to string alignment kits. But toe plates hit a sweet spot between accuracy, portability, and speed:
Tool
Accuracy
Cost
Setup Time
Portability
Laser alignment
High
$$$
Moderate
Low
String alignment
High
$
High
Low
Toe plates
Moderate-High
$$
Low
High
Toe plates aren’t perfect—you won’t use them for a daily driver’s long-term alignment—but for a track car, they’re hard to beat.
SLRspeed’s Philosophy on Alignment Tools
At SLRspeed, our history is rooted in solving problems for ourselves and our fellow drivers. Back in 2007, we were experimenting with E46 control arms on E30 and E36 BMWs. By 2009, we had basic angle kits for sale. Eventually, we created a bolt-on roll-center, bump-steer, and quick-steer solution so that no one had to weld knuckles or ship heavy cores.
We’ve always believed that tools should be:
- Easy to use – so anyone can get accurate results.
- Durable – because race cars eat weak gear alive.
- Portable – because the track is your workshop.
Toe plates fit all three perfectly.
How to Use Toe Plates: Step-by-Step
Using toe plates is straightforward—no degree in mechanical engineering required. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Park on a Flat Surface – The more level, the better for accuracy.
- Place the Toe Plates – One against each front wheel, making sure they sit flush with the tire sidewalls.
- Insert Tape Measures – Thread one tape through the slots at the front of the plates and another through the rear slots.
- Take Measurements – Record the distance at the front and rear of the tires.
- Calculate Toe – Subtract the front measurement from the rear measurement.
- Positive result = toe-in.
- Negative result = toe-out.
- Adjust as Needed – Loosen tie rod ends and rotate them in or out to get your target toe setting.
Why Drifters Love Toe Plates
For drifting, toe settings can make or break a run. A slight toe-out in the front can give lightning-fast steering response, while rear toe settings influence stability mid-drift. The ability to change settings on the fly—without heading to a shop—means you can fine-tune your car for different track layouts or weather conditions.
Toe plates also help ensure that after a big off-track excursion or a suspension knock, you can get the car pointing straight again in minutes.
Real-World Example: Trackside Adjustments
Imagine you’ve just finished your first practice session at a drift event. The car feels twitchy mid-transition, and you suspect the toe is off. Instead of guessing, you grab your toe plates, measure, and find you’re running more toe-out than intended. Ten minutes later, you’ve dialed it back, and your next run feels dialed in.
That’s the kind of confidence toe plates give you—data instead of guesswork.
Final Thoughts: The Small Tool with a Big Impact
In the world of performance driving, the smallest tools can make the biggest difference. Toe plates are proof that you don’t need a shop full of expensive gear to get serious, repeatable results. They put control back in your hands—whether you’re dialing in for a national competition or just chasing personal bests on your local circuit.
At SLRspeed, our entire brand was built on solving problems for drivers like you. We’ve been there—frustrated with setups that weren’t quite right, wasting track time waiting for adjustments. Tools like the toe plate are part of the reason we can drive harder, test faster, and win more often.
So next time you think about your setup, remember this: precision doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s just a flat plate, two tape measures, and the will to get it right.