Is this an acceptable hand position?

[MartinNoHo]

When I'm driving sometimes I feel more comfortable shifting my hand position from 9-3 to either 10-4 for left turns or 8-2 for right turns. Is this dangerous? I'm new to this, and randomly found out it worked for me today!

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[MartinNoHo]

In general, called the shuffle method. It works.

Thanks Brian, you're always attentive on this forum. Your threads and responses are always helpful. Much appreciated from a novice like me.

 

[Hack]

Different instructors are going to tell you different things. I think you should find what works for you and stick with it.

 

[NightmareMoon]

shuffle in only the tightest of corners, try to keep your hands at 9/3 during most corners.

seating position (sitting close enough to the wheel) is critical. You should be looking for approximately a 90 degree bend at the elbow with hands at 9/3 and your shoulder should be well supported against the seat back when pushing against the wheel with your palm. Thats how you want to control the wheel, by pressing against it with, not grip and rip. Its the least effort and best controlled way to steer if you get the hang of it. Tilt the seat back more upright if you need the seat base back for comfortable leg extension. The goal isn’t a “natural” feeling position when stationary, its good control of the wheel when driving. Know that any new position is going to feel strange at first, so give it some time to get used to it.

When things get busy your reactions have a better shot at being correct if your hand placement is consistent and well rehearsed.

 

[Hack]

shuffle in only the tightest of corners, try to keep your hands at 9/3 during most corners.

seating position (sitting close enough to the wheel) is critical. You should be looking for approximately a 90 degree bend at the elbow with hands at 9/3 and your shoulder should be well supported against the seat back when pushing against the wheel with your palm. Thats how you want to control the wheel, by pressing against it with, not grip and rip. Its the least effort and best controlled way to steer if you get the hang of it. Tilt the seat back more upright if you need the seat base back for comfortable leg extension. The goal isn’t a “natural” feeling position when stationary, its good control of the wheel when driving. Know that any new position is going to feel strange at first, so give it some time to get used to it.

When things get busy your reactions have a better shot at being correct if your hand placement is consistent and well rehearsed.

Lots of good suggestions there. What you are saying about shuffling is the same thing I have heard at least from some instructors. It's better not to move your hands on the wheel if you can avoid it.

My local expert says you should always pull the wheel and never push it. If you are turning left, the left arm is pulling and the right is along as a guide only. Using this method gives you more sensitivity and control.

And your suggestion is to sit closer than he would recommend.

I've driven based on his recommendations and I think they are good recommendations. I think yours are good as well. The more different instructors I've worked with the more I've found that different people do it differently. There are some universal things, but many details are changed from one instructor to another.

As a novice I'm not going to say what is right or wrong, but what I have noticed in my limited amount of time on track is that having a harness is the most important thing for me. It helps me to focus on controlling the pedals and the wheel and being smooth rather than keeping myself in position. It also helps me to relax. I think I do better and learn more when I am relaxed on track.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Yeah IDK the guy who taught me the push technique is a professional racer, recently for Lotus and his dad drove for Ferrari for years 90 deg angle is common advice but 70-90 whatever. Pulling down sounds like your hanging on the wheel which I don’t think anybody recommends

I’ll leave it at that, do whatever works for you. I’ve even seen fast guys who drive one handed.

 

[Hack]

Yeah IDK the guy who taught me the push technique is a professional racer, recently for Lotus and his dad drove for Ferrari for years 90 deg angle is common advice but 70-90 whatever. Pulling down sounds like your hanging on the wheel which I don’t think anybody recommends

I’ll leave it at that, do whatever works for you. I’ve even seen fast guys who drive one handed.

Yeah my local guy was a pro for many years and won a lot of stuff, so he's not just another Joe Blow off the street either. But I do think that different techniques work for different people. You should try the pull thing and see what you think. Maybe you will like it.

 

[NightmareMoon]

interesting

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