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Driving Position
Is yours optimized?


See how I optimized the driving position in my M3... Smokin' Joe at work in his BMW Super Touring Car

Is there a "correct" driving position? The answer to that question is yes, but it depends on the individual and the type of driving intended.

In general, when compared to professional race car drivers, I would say that most of us aspiring performance drivers have the steering wheel too low, and too far away.  Also, the shift knob is usually too low and too far away from the the 3 o'clock position on the steering wheel (which is where your right hand is correct?)  Lastly, the pedals are often not optimized for proper heel-toe and the clutch pedal is often too close to the driver.
 

1998 Alpha Romeo Super Touring Car

Here we see one of the 1998 Alfa 156 Super Touring cars.  As with the shot of Joe Winkelhock above, notice the position of the steering wheel relative to the driver.  With his hands at the 3 and 9 positions, the driver's elbows are still next to his body.  Also the center of the steering wheel is level with the driver's collar bone.  This set-up provides maximum leverage and therefore maximum control. Note also the vertical position of the steering wheel. Since the driver sits so low, the steering wheel has to be rotated towards him.

The shift knob is set high and close to the driver's right hand.  This minimizes the amount of time that the driver's hand is off the steering wheel.  You can't control a car very well with just one hand.

*  Note the attachment of the shoulder straps and the lack of a seat brace - the common FIA set-up.
 

Alain Menu in his Williams Renault Super Touring Car

Now I am not suggesting that we should all modify our M3's to achieve this "full-race" driving position.  But the driver's shown are paid millions to do one thing:  drive their cars as fast as possible.  And they can have any driving position they like.  And this is what they choose.  I just think that is a good thing to keep in mind.  Is a "shorty" shift lever really the way to go?  Maybe back in the 60's, but current race car drivers seem to prefer quite the opposite.  Luckily, our M3 shift levers are already relatively high due to the drive shaft tunnel.  But I would suggest getting the tallest shift knob possible.  Having the knob closer to your hand will do much more for your driving than having a shorter shift throw.  Having both would be ideal.

You might wonder if I followed my own advice...


Home
Back to Myths
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More Myths Part 1
Weight Transfer
Splitter Theory
Suspension Travel Theory
Stress Bar Theory
Driving Position