Creative Car Control Handbook
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The Fundamentals »
When humans interact with cars, optimising the relationship between their body parts (physiology) and the control systems of the car is crucial for maximum performance.
The way in which we sit in the car plays a vital role in being in control. The seat must be secure with a rigid fixture to floor and it must have a rigid frame and backrest. (If the control system moves relative to the system it's endeavouring to control the result is always less than optimal.)
How you sit in relation to the car's controls has a significant effect on the efficiency and accuracy with which you operate those controls. The optimum driving position provides maximum support while allowing full and free movement of your limbs, and allows your muscles to work against load with minimum effort and absence of strain. Section 3.4 of the driving development manual describes the optimisation process in full.
The way in which we operate controls is particularly important if we are to retain smooth control over the vehicle. In particular the steering generally requires an extremely light, delicate touch. (There are exceptions when the steering system is badly or primitively designed - 964RS to name but one).
It's really important to look at the gaps we want to slip into. Looking ahead on circuit is crucial to getting there. I have often seen three seconds a lap gained simply by looking in the right place. There is nothing you can do about the place you're at - it was caused when you set the car up during the previous manoeuvre, so there is little point in looking around other than the place you're planning on going to.