Autocross driving style
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Autocross driving style I have been watching more and more in-car autocross videos and have noticed a major difference in driving styles when it comes to steering wheel inputs/motions. Seeing myself drive compared to Boss002 or Mountainbiker2 (that post a lot of videos) I tend to let the wheel free spin and catch it again coming out of tight turns. Where other people will leave their hands at "10 and 2" but completely cross their arms over for tight turns. You can see when I come up to a tight turn, I shift my hands around in order to NOT cross over.
Is there a benefit to the cross over/fixed hand position style vs mine?
This is last Sunday's race (only one in ESP) and put me 24th of 94 cars in raw times. Not the best, but I was happy as it seems I am slowly working my way up in raw times as time goes on.
Is there a benefit to the cross over/fixed hand position style vs mine?
This is last Sunday's race (only one in ESP) and put me 24th of 94 cars in raw times. Not the best, but I was happy as it seems I am slowly working my way up in raw times as time goes on.
Whatever works for you. I use the 10 & 2 style because that's what I used when playing racing sims. But trying to 'catch' the wheel could lead to bad habits. Depending on the surface you're racing on the steering wheel could jerk around more. If you are going to to any sort of racing, I would suggest keeping a death grip on the steering wheel at all times.
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Well I have always been told "light hands" and NOT to try and strangle the wheel to tense up. The more I look into suspension setups it seems there is a baseline but then a lot of it is how the driver likes the car to feel based on their driving habits. I didn't know if there was a "best practice" for steering wheel hand positions etc.
Key points I learned from one of the top drivers in my area (04 Z06 owner) is that she told me 1) to have "light hands" since she noticed me gripping the wheel too tight 2)when I brake I better plan to "put the passenger through the windshield" and 3) to "look up" for the next gate/cone. Since trying to focus on those things I feel I have better awareness and have driven better i.e.. faster.
Key points I learned from one of the top drivers in my area (04 Z06 owner) is that she told me 1) to have "light hands" since she noticed me gripping the wheel too tight 2)when I brake I better plan to "put the passenger through the windshield" and 3) to "look up" for the next gate/cone. Since trying to focus on those things I feel I have better awareness and have driven better i.e.. faster.
For me, street or autocross, I tend to keep my hands at 9 & 3 and try not to cross my arms, something that was drilled into me by Evolution autox schools years ago but I don't recall the reasons they gave. For tight corners I'm hopefully looking far enough ahead where I can safely shift my hands on the wheel to prevent crossing them.
Letting the wheel spin freely is basically a temporary loss of control which is undesirable. Oh! One of the Evo instructors did say that if my airbag goes off while my arms are crossed then I'll risk breaking my arms.
Letting the wheel spin freely is basically a temporary loss of control which is undesirable. Oh! One of the Evo instructors did say that if my airbag goes off while my arms are crossed then I'll risk breaking my arms.
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Yea I see your point about freewheeling but I do it because I can't turn the wheel fast enough and far enough to keep the car IN control. Now yes, I shouldn't be putting myself in the position in the FIRST place, but worn out tires and throttle = spinning rear end sometimes lol. Maybe that's my problem...I shouldn't be driving in a manner that forces me to freewheel.
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Check out Mark Daddio's white knuckle drive. His style is much different from anyone I have seem but he's super fast.
Myself I'm a 9 and 3 kinda guy and will go full cross. Run Starts at 1:08, Please dont hate on this run it was my first time out in the C5Z (With bad Alignment).
Myself I'm a 9 and 3 kinda guy and will go full cross. Run Starts at 1:08, Please dont hate on this run it was my first time out in the C5Z (With bad Alignment).
Last edited by camarokid91; Jul 30, 2015 at 10:24 AM.
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From: Saline, MI
Their's no right way or wrong way when it comes to steering wheel hand positions. I just try to keep myself at 10 - 2 because i feel most in control and comfortable, also typically if I need more steering input than what that requires, something usually is going wrong.
On the other side one of the fastest autocrosser's i know (Alex Jones) locally loves to "shuffle" steer and is really busy with his hands.
It all comes down to comfort and what gives you confidence.
On the other side one of the fastest autocrosser's i know (Alex Jones) locally loves to "shuffle" steer and is really busy with his hands.
It all comes down to comfort and what gives you confidence.
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Thanks Boss, haven't really paid attention to this and it got me thinking. You have come across a lot more people than I have.
Camarokid91, looking at Mark's video and then mine, it seems like I'm a mix between his method and a 9/3 method. I don't see me ever having both hands at 11/1 like I saw him do lol
Camarokid91, looking at Mark's video and then mine, it seems like I'm a mix between his method and a 9/3 method. I don't see me ever having both hands at 11/1 like I saw him do lol
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Which ever way is more comfortable for you is the right way, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Death grip on the wheel does nothing for you except fatigue your hands and tense your muscles up, which may prevent you from being smooth.
Sometimes you have to let the steering wheel go free during a big slide. These aren't race cars with a 3/4 turn lock to lock steering rack. Do whatever you have to do to feed in opposite lock.
Death grip on the wheel does nothing for you except fatigue your hands and tense your muscles up, which may prevent you from being smooth.
Sometimes you have to let the steering wheel go free during a big slide. These aren't race cars with a 3/4 turn lock to lock steering rack. Do whatever you have to do to feed in opposite lock.
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I use to shuffle steer like crazy. I was pretty fast doing that, but a few National Champions telling me I was not steering correctly. I would have more control not letting go of the steering wheel. You have constant contact with the wheel and can be quicker in response time. After many days and months of practice, they were right. I felt it was a big step up in my driving skills. That's the reason I have a second camera in my car. For those who have seen my videos. You can be fast doing it other ways, but is it the best? Just like left foot braking. Many guys that are National Champions don't LFB, but if they did, I bet they would be even better. My next step for me is looking ahead. I know its better, but I have gotten away with it for so long I don't want to change. Hope this helps some.
Steve
Steve