GPL: why is gear shift on right?

dear all, i've had an rs shifter next to my wheel for a few weeks now, on the right hand side, like most of the gpl cars. my question is, why was the shifter put on the right? my own version of logic says: most circuits clockwise => most turns go right most people (and drivers), are right handed so i'd think having your dominant hand on the wheel would be best. i.e. the shifter -should- be on the left. but maybe you just learn equally well whatever you're given. anyone any insight into this? i'll try shifting (ho ho!) it to the left this weekend, see how strange or easy it feels. merry chrimbo, dr martin.

I think it's because of the right turns, like you said. When you turn to the right, your left arm and hand are outstretched, and therefore much more sensitive. Your right arm and hand buckle and fold up towards you, meaning they are much less effective and feeling vibrations through the steering wheel. That's why you should always push the wheel around (ie use your left hand and arm to turn right), not pull it. This leaves the right hand free to change gear (and as you say, most people are right handed, although in my UK RHD car the gearshift is on the left anyway). <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> > dear all, > > i've had an rs shifter next to my wheel for a few weeks now, on the > right hand side, like most of the gpl cars. > > my question is, why was the shifter put on the right? > > my own version of logic says: > most circuits clockwise => most turns go right > most people (and drivers), are right handed > > so i'd think having your dominant hand on the wheel > would be best. i.e. the shifter -should- be on the left. > > but maybe you just learn equally well whatever you're given. > > anyone any insight into this? > > i'll try shifting (ho ho!) it to the left this weekend, see how > strange or easy it feels. > > merry chrimbo, > dr martin.

It's simply beacuse most in countries you drive on right and because the transmission tunnel goes down the middle of the car the gear change is on the right. Since this is what most racing drivers are used to this is the norm. Aslo it does seem more natural to change gear with your right hand if you're right handed. Although I live in the UK and am used to changing gear with my left hand when I travel abroad I find it easier and more natural than back home. Some Call Me Tim

"Nick" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:atcdvd$12n681$[email hidden]... > ........ That's why you should always push the wheel around (ie use yourleft > hand and arm to turn right), not pull it. This leaves the right hand freeto > change gear (and as you say, most people are right handed, although in myUK > RHD car the gearshift is on the left anyway). > That's exactly counter to any book I read or advice I heard on racing. Your arms are much more effective, and in control, when you are pulling the wheel than pushing. Nafi Coker

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

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> > >dear all, > >i've had an rs shifter next to my wheel for a few weeks now, on the >right hand side, like most of the gpl cars. > >my question is, why was the shifter put on the right? > >my own version of logic says:

And thats where your argument falls to the ground. ;) Much of what we use is derived from older 'standards', (the use of AM mode in aircraft communications comes readily to mind) so the cars were probably made that way because thats the way its always been done. P.S. Lots of really old cars have a set of levers outside the cockpit on the right hand side. Are they the gearchange, or something else? From a childrens picturebook: - Panhard in 1902 Paris-Vienna race - Renault in the last Gordon Bennett race, 1905 - Fiat in 1912 French GP - Peugeot, Indianapolis, 1913

"N. Coker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > > "Nick" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:atcdvd$12n681$[email hidden]... > > ........ That's why you should always push the wheel around (ie use your > left > > hand and arm to turn right), not pull it. This leaves the right handfree > to > > change gear (and as you say, most people are right handed, although inmy > UK > > RHD car the gearshift is on the left anyway). > > > > That's exactly counter to any book I read or advice I heard on racing.Your > arms are much more effective, and in control, when you are pulling thewheel > than pushing. > > Nafi Coker > > You use both, but it is a lot easier to be accurate when pushing with your outstretched arm, and your arm acts as a direct link from the subtle vibrations in the wheel to your body. When the lower arm collapses, it dampens these feelings through the effective lever system. My right elbow tucks into my body, and my hand is palm upwards (quite an uncomfortable position to apply any pressure), whereas my left arm is almost straight, palm downwards (hands on top/bottom of the wheel mid turn). What I tried was taking my left hand completely off the wheel, and just steering left and right with my right hand. When doing this, turning left (ie hand pushing the wheel), I was much more confident, accurate and fast than when turning left (when my hand was pulling the wheel). That is despite the fact that I am naturally more confident and quicker through left hand turns. Nick.

> "Nick" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > ........ That's why you should always push the wheel around (ie use your >left hand and arm to turn right), not pull it. This leaves the right hand > free to change gear (and as you say, most people are right handed,although in

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> my UK RHD car the gearshift is on the left anyway). > > > > "N. Coker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > That's exactly counter to any book I read or advice I heard on racing. > Your arms are much more effective, and in control, when you are pulling

the > wheel than pushing. > > > > > >"Nick" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

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> You use both, but it is a lot easier to be accurate when pushing with your > outstretched arm, and your arm acts as a direct link from the subtle > vibrations in the wheel to your body. When the lower arm collapses, it > dampens these feelings through the effective lever system. My right elbow > tucks into my body, and my hand is palm upwards (quite an uncomfortable > position to apply any pressure), whereas my left arm is almost straight, > palm downwards (hands on top/bottom of the wheel mid turn). What I tried

was > taking my left hand completely off the wheel, and just steering left and > right with my right hand. When doing this, turning left (ie hand pushingthe > wheel), I was much more confident, accurate and fast than when turningleft > (when my hand was pulling the wheel). That is despite the fact that I am > naturally more confident and quicker through left hand turns. > > Nick. > >With all due respect, Nick, is your explanation have any scientific basis? It sounds like a personal subjective logic which may not necessarily be true. If you ask some people who sit half-mile away from the steering wheel and use a "death-wheel" to steer with one hand, would argue to death that that is the most natural way to do it. However, I have spent considerable time on actual tracks and both the advise I've gotten and verifed experience says the otherwise. In fact, Skip Barber race school instructors emphasize this point very strongly. Nafi Coker

One more thing. If you noticed, race car drivers sit much closer to the wheel. One of the race car driving position advise is that, when you push your shoulders back against the seat and put your palm on the top of the steering wheel there should be a bend in the elbow. That is because, you never want to hold the steering wheel with a streched arm and a locked elbow. That reduces flexibility and reaction time for making quick corrections. If you are relying on your upper arms and shoulders to assist your steering, than that is the wrong way to steer. Nafi Coker

I find it easier to read the feedback from the wheel when im sitting closer, light grip, felt odd at first, but in single seaters the steering is so sensitive its the only way to do it. driven formula firsts with the gear lever on the left, and formula fords with gear levers on the right. first time i got in a FF i instinctively reached to the left of the wheel to change down! doh. pez "N. Coker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> One more thing. If you noticed, race car drivers sit much closer to the > wheel. One of the race car driving position advise is that, when you push > your shoulders back against the seat and put your palm on the top of the > steering wheel there should be a bend in the elbow. That is because, you > never want to hold the steering wheel with a streched arm and a locked > elbow. That reduces flexibility and reaction time for making quick > corrections. > > If you are relying on your upper arms and shoulders to assist your

steering, > than that is the wrong way to steer. > > Nafi Coker > >

"N. Coker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> One more thing. If you noticed, race car drivers sit much closer to the > wheel. One of the race car driving position advise is that, when you push > your shoulders back against the seat and put your palm on the top of the > steering wheel there should be a bend in the elbow. That is because, you > never want to hold the steering wheel with a streched arm and a locked > elbow. That reduces flexibility and reaction time for making quick > corrections. > > If you are relying on your upper arms and shoulders to assist your

steering, > than that is the wrong way to steer. > > Nafi Coker > > I didn't say lock the elbow at all, just keep the arm like your left arm in a golf backswing. As straight as you can allow in a relaxed position, but not braced. No I don't use my upper arms and shoulders to steer, most wheels are small enough and the cars they are attached to are geared quickly enough to mean a mostly wrist action is enough for a quick correction or two at a time. And no, my explanation has no scientific basis whatsoever that I can prove, just things I have been told. As I said, I actually went out one day to try using just one hand on the wheel through turns, and while I was nowhere near as fast as using both hands together (or confident, for that matter), I did find it easier nearer the limit pushing the wheel rather than pulling it. My explanation for that would be that an elbow bent at around a 45deg angle will dampen vibrations more than an elbow bent at 10deg. That's just a guess. A far more scientific explanation for the reason the gearshift is on the right is because it has to go somewhere, wouldn't work between the drivers' legs ;-), and most people are right handed. The right turn thing is more of an accidental circumstance rather than an explicit design. I mean, what would have happened if somebody started making anti-clockwise tracks? The shifter is a Champcar is on the right I remember, and they race ovals half the time. I am impressed you went to the SBRS, mate. Kinda difficult from over here.... Nick.

"N. Coker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> One more thing. If you noticed, race car drivers sit much closer to the > wheel. One of the race car driving position advise is that, when you push > your shoulders back against the seat and put your palm on the top of the > steering wheel there should be a bend in the elbow. That is because, you > never want to hold the steering wheel with a streched arm and a locked > elbow. That reduces flexibility and reaction time for making quick > corrections. > > If you are relying on your upper arms and shoulders to assist your

steering, > than that is the wrong way to steer. > > Nafi Coker > > I didn't say lock the elbow at all, just keep the arm like your left arm in a golf backswing. As straight as you can allow in a relaxed position, but not braced. No I don't use my upper arms and shoulders to steer, most wheels are small enough and the cars they are attached to are geared quickly enough to mean a mostly wrist action is enough for a quick correction or two at a time. And no, my explanation has no scientific basis whatsoever that I can prove, just things I have been told. As I said, I actually went out one day to try using just one hand on the wheel through turns, and while I was nowhere near as fast as using both hands together (or confident, for that matter), I did find it easier nearer the limit pushing the wheel rather than pulling it. My explanation for that would be that an elbow bent at around a 45deg angle will dampen vibrations more than an elbow bent at 10deg. That's just a guess. A far more scientific explanation for the reason the gearshift is on the right is because it has to go somewhere, wouldn't work between the drivers' legs ;-), and most people are right handed. The right turn thing is more of an accidental circumstance rather than an explicit design. I mean, what would have happened if somebody started making anti-clockwise tracks? The shifter is a Champcar is on the right I remember, and they race ovals half the time. I am impressed you went to the SBRS, mate. Kinda difficult from over here.... Nick.

"N. Coker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> One more thing. If you noticed, race car drivers sit much closer to the > wheel. One of the race car driving position advise is that, when you push > your shoulders back against the seat and put your palm on the top of the > steering wheel there should be a bend in the elbow. That is because, you > never want to hold the steering wheel with a streched arm and a locked > elbow. That reduces flexibility and reaction time for making quick > corrections. > > If you are relying on your upper arms and shoulders to assist your

steering, > than that is the wrong way to steer. > > Nafi Coker > > I didn't say lock the elbow at all, just keep the arm like your left arm in a golf backswing. As straight as you can allow in a relaxed position, but not braced. No I don't use my upper arms and shoulders to steer, most wheels are small enough and the cars they are attached to are geared quickly enough to mean a mostly wrist action is enough for a quick correction or two at a time. And no, my explanation has no scientific basis whatsoever that I can prove, just things I have been told. As I said, I actually went out one day to try using just one hand on the wheel through turns, and while I was nowhere near as fast as using both hands together (or confident, for that matter), I did find it easier nearer the limit pushing the wheel rather than pulling it. My explanation for that would be that an elbow bent at around a 45deg angle will dampen vibrations more than an elbow bent at 10deg. That's just a guess. A far more scientific explanation for the reason the gearshift is on the right is because it has to go somewhere, wouldn't work between the drivers' legs ;-), and most people are right handed. The right turn thing is more of an accidental circumstance rather than an explicit design. I mean, what would have happened if somebody started making anti-clockwise tracks? The shifter is a Champcar is on the right I remember, and they race ovals half the time. I am impressed you went to the SBRS, mate. Kinda difficult from over here.... Nick.