[Healeys] Johnk's video and driving techniques

[Editorgary at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/26/07 10:10:42 AM, healeys-request at autox.team.net 
writes:


> Jeff's hand positions seemed a bit unorthdoxed in the right hand corners.
> 
I must agree. Johnk's got a very fast car but based on the video, it looks 
ato me s if he could go faster with a little instruction from a pro. According 
to the folks whom I've learned from (Skip Barber and Russell Racing, plus every 
racing book on my shelf), the goal is to ALWAYS keep both hands separated 
from one another by 180 degrees. For a normal race car with a tight turning 
ratio, that means put them at nine and three when the car is going straight, and 
never move them from the rim the wheel except to shift. For a Healey with stock 
steering, one might have to resort to rally-style shuffle steering (e.g. to 
turn right, right hand pulls wheel down and then moves up to top of wheel next 
to left hand, which then is moved down to bottom of wheel, 180 degrees off from 
right hand, and both hands are held in that position to apex of corner). 
However, even using that technique, the goal is to have the hands separated by 180 
degrees in the tightest section of the turn, providing good control and rapid 
response should the car start to slide in the corner. 
Incidentally, he could use some improvement in his choice of line as well. 
Lots more speed in that car than he's currently using, judging from the cars 
that were passing him.
Cheers
Gary




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