Hand Position
Yeah, we both mentioned 9 and 3. I didn't say anything about how I drive on the highway at 2 AM, but I use the same technique I autocross with because it's good practice and because it's a good technique for maintaining control of the car. And I qualified what makes for good technique (keeping your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock, even while turning, you don't do hand-over-hand, and your arms aren't too straight, you're probably in good shape). It's entirely possible to keep your hands near 9 and 3 most of the time and still have poor hand positioning technique.
The technique known as "shifty hands" is one way to achieve the above goals. As it's already been explained in this thread, shifty hands consists of adjusting the hands independently in preparation for a turn of the wheel. E.g., you see a right curve/turn coming up, you drop your left hand to, say, 7 o'clock, then raise your right hand to 1 o'clock, then you turn the wheel till your hands are back at 9 and 3. Upon exiting the turn, you reverse the procedure.
The technique known as "shifty hands" is one way to achieve the above goals. As it's already been explained in this thread, shifty hands consists of adjusting the hands independently in preparation for a turn of the wheel. E.g., you see a right curve/turn coming up, you drop your left hand to, say, 7 o'clock, then raise your right hand to 1 o'clock, then you turn the wheel till your hands are back at 9 and 3. Upon exiting the turn, you reverse the procedure.
Thanks. I was thinking thats what was meant, but I wasn't sure if there was more to it than that.
Also, I guess I should have made myself clear when I started this thread. I meant to ask what hand positioning techniques you use when you are making a turn that cannot be make simply leaving your hands at 9 and 3 and turning the wheel.
Also, another thing that I got in the habbit of doing is keeing my thumbs out of the inside of the wheel. It's normally an old racers technique so that if you hit something the wheel doesn't break your thumbs off when it spins quickly. I also find it works in auto-x for those quick save-it type corrections when you get out of shape, if you get a thumb stuck in the wheel it hurts like a bit**
Corey #89 STU
It's probably a good idea not to cross your arms when you're on a road course push, pull, slide the hands but in autocross I gota say any thing goes with the tight turns and general hectic pace.
Autocross just happens too fast for improvised hand positioning to be effective.
OK, they're probably overstating it to make a point. I'm sure there places where they aren't displaying perfect form. Chicago boxes (AKA tight 3-cone slaloms) and longer slaloms are easily fudged.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Menasha, WI
But yeah, since we're in the competition --> driving techniques, I like slightly above 9 and 3 because that's where the thicker/ grippier part of the wheel is. It's weird when I drive my mom's or girlfriend's car cuz I"m like ... damn, they don't have a MOMO wheel
(and my left foot gets bored with their auto transmissions)
I use the shifty-hands technique too. I have tried to cross over but it is too uncomfortable for me.
I had an autox yesterday that had a 3 chicago boxes in a row but with a little twist in them ...come out of one and have to make a right turn and then enter the box...leave that one and make a left turn...so the hands were constantly moving...all while left foot braking. Crazy fun!
I had an autox yesterday that had a 3 chicago boxes in a row but with a little twist in them ...come out of one and have to make a right turn and then enter the box...leave that one and make a left turn...so the hands were constantly moving...all while left foot braking. Crazy fun!
Yeah, we both mentioned 9 and 3. I didn't say anything about how I drive on the highway at 2 AM, but I use the same technique I autocross with because it's good practice and because it's a good technique for maintaining control of the car. And I qualified what makes for good technique (keeping your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock, even while turning, you don't do hand-over-hand, and your arms aren't too straight, you're probably in good shape). It's entirely possible to keep your hands near 9 and 3 most of the time and still have poor hand positioning technique.
The technique known as "shifty hands" is one way to achieve the above goals. As it's already been explained in this thread, shifty hands consists of adjusting the hands independently in preparation for a turn of the wheel. E.g., you see a right curve/turn coming up, you drop your left hand to, say, 7 o'clock, then raise your right hand to 1 o'clock, then you turn the wheel till your hands are back at 9 and 3. Upon exiting the turn, you reverse the procedure.
The technique known as "shifty hands" is one way to achieve the above goals. As it's already been explained in this thread, shifty hands consists of adjusting the hands independently in preparation for a turn of the wheel. E.g., you see a right curve/turn coming up, you drop your left hand to, say, 7 o'clock, then raise your right hand to 1 o'clock, then you turn the wheel till your hands are back at 9 and 3. Upon exiting the turn, you reverse the procedure.
how about.. right turn comming up, and you use your left hand (at 9 oclock) to push /turn the wheel right, while you right hand moves quickly right before the turn to the 12oclock position and as the wheel turns it terminates at the 3 oclock possiton.... does that makes sense?