A professional racer!! WOW!! Can I get an autograph :roll:
And I'd happily take that dare. Hell, I'd LOVE to take that dare, becuase I really want to see the difference between 1 hand and 2, and the proof is in the pudding as they say.
A professional racer!! WOW!! Can I get an autograph :roll:
And I'd happily take that dare. Hell, I'd LOVE to take that dare, becuase I really want to see the difference between 1 hand and 2, and the proof is in the pudding as they say.
This is the kinda crap I get all the time... it's kinda of indicator that you're more than a little overconfident about your driving... especially since the SCCA ProSolos run in Topeka. The best drivers in the nation gather there every year.
I'm not a professional racer by no stretch of the imagination, just your typical amateur club racer with the basics of car control under the belt. Proof is in the pudding? I have a feeling you've never experienced snap oversteer on a car before... actually the G-forces on the car and steering from autocrossing you'll NEED to grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands to prevent you from sliding out of your seat (if you don't have a harness) or have the wheel go wherever it wants. The situation gets worse and worse as grip levels increase.
I took one of my friends to a non-competition autoX for kicks a little while ago... he actually attempted to drive a 40 second course with one hand because he didn't know better. It took him 47 seconds+ to complete the course... Next run I grabbed an instructor (who also happens to weigh a good 270lbs) for him who immediately reminded him to use BOTH hands... instantly 2 seconds faster despite weight. I was driving the course in 38 seconds while faster cars with race tires were screaming through at 35-36 seconds. Just as a benchmark, his instructor drove his car through at 39 seconds.
Don't get me wrong, 1 hand is fine for cruising and parking... but for flat-out driving... you need 2 hands for real control.
Triumph
Lifer
- Oct 9, 1999
- 15,031
- 14
- 81
Let me try to explain why two hands provide more control than one, which no one has done. The reason is basically feedback - your left hand provides steering input that will counteract overzealous right hand movements (and vice versa). If you are modulating your steering input through a fast turn with one hand, your one hand has to do all of the work. If you have two hands, you can use the opposite hand to "pull back" on the other hand. You are basically providing an extra level of correction over your own movements. When done properly, two hands absolutely does not result in less steering control.
Gravity also plays a role. Say you are turning right, with your right hand. Gravity is pulling downward on your arm. If you have to correct your steering, you also have to fight the force of gravity on your arm when you lift it. If you had had two hands on the wheel, you can use the force of gravity on your left arm to basically counteract the force of gravity from your right arm. You have much more control over your steering.
Shockwave, have you ever played a musical instrument? Played sports? Took lessons of any kind for anything? In all of these activities you invariably come across a person who has become quite good at it while doing it wrong. And for a given skill level this may be perfectly OK. You don't need blazing fast fingers to play blues guitar. You don't need a perfect golf swing to play a round on Sunday. It's only when these people actually take lessons that they discover what they are doing is not the best way of doing it, even if it works. They could be better. So while your driving technique is perfectly adequate for every day driving, you will never reach your full driving potential while using it. Because you controlled your car in a 75 mph skid while using one hand, is really immaterial to the argument. It only means that the conditions were not extreme enough to require more skill.
Gravity also plays a role. Say you are turning right, with your right hand. Gravity is pulling downward on your arm. If you have to correct your steering, you also have to fight the force of gravity on your arm when you lift it. If you had had two hands on the wheel, you can use the force of gravity on your left arm to basically counteract the force of gravity from your right arm. You have much more control over your steering.
Shockwave, have you ever played a musical instrument? Played sports? Took lessons of any kind for anything? In all of these activities you invariably come across a person who has become quite good at it while doing it wrong. And for a given skill level this may be perfectly OK. You don't need blazing fast fingers to play blues guitar. You don't need a perfect golf swing to play a round on Sunday. It's only when these people actually take lessons that they discover what they are doing is not the best way of doing it, even if it works. They could be better. So while your driving technique is perfectly adequate for every day driving, you will never reach your full driving potential while using it. Because you controlled your car in a 75 mph skid while using one hand, is really immaterial to the argument. It only means that the conditions were not extreme enough to require more skill.
I dont know if you've read all my posts, but I've said I'm very much open to trying it 2 handed. The thing is, one doesnt just hop in the car, grab the wheel with 2 hands and suddenly say WHOA! I'm a better driver. You need to be placed in an emergency or extreme situation, and the local PD seems to frown on me driving like a maniac on public roads. Hence me being open to going to a course and trying a 1 vs 2 hand situation. As I've said in all my posts, for every situation I've encountered, 1 hand has been good enough. So, blanket statements just dont cover it, its always situation dependent. And in every situation I've been in, 1 hand has pulled it out (If it was possible to save it and not wreck anyways) so all my past experience says 1 hand is as good as 2 hand.
Someday I'll hit a road course and really get to test the whole 1 hand vs 2 hand scenario though, and when that time comes I may very well change my mind.
As I've said in many of my posts, I'd like to do a comparison. But for now, I have to figure out Coppermine.
I think we all agree that:
If you are racing: 2 hands.
Not racing or driving extremely fast: 1 hand is fine, unless you are a woman, or wan't to feel "safer".
If you are racing: 2 hands.
Not racing or driving extremely fast: 1 hand is fine, unless you are a woman, or wan't to feel "safer".
It depends on the driving for me.
Driving agressively, I use 1 hand.
Crusing I use 1 hand.
The only time I use two hand is if i'm stuck in traffic and I want to choke someone.
I'm ambidextrous but I prefer to drive with the left hand hand at either 9 o'clock or 6 o'clock with the right hand on the shifter.
Driving agressively, I use 1 hand.
Crusing I use 1 hand.
The only time I use two hand is if i'm stuck in traffic and I want to choke someone.
I'm ambidextrous but I prefer to drive with the left hand hand at either 9 o'clock or 6 o'clock with the right hand on the shifter.
I drive with one hand. I deliver pizzas and I encounter more situations that could turn into potential accidents than the average person who just oommutes to and from work does, and I've never had a problem driving with one hand. If I'm doing a spirited run through some twistys late at night I usually drive with 2 hands on the wheel just because it gives me a better sense of control, but for day to day driving around the city, I've never encountered a situation where 2 hands on the wheel would have made a bit of difference, and I highly doubt I ever will.
I know I came into this thread way too late, and no one will actually read this, but anyone with coordination as bad as yours should be locked up in a bpadded room for thier own protection.
I found my ass is the best for driving. I slap my ass on the wheel and away we go. In a panic situation, my ass cheeks tighten up and just clamp down on the steering wheel. I have perfect grip in panic situations. No worry about slipping off the wheel thanks to my Buns of Steel workouts. And best part is, when people yell YOUR AN ASSHOLE DRIVER at me, well, there pretty much correct!!
I can't believe how much stupidity is in this thread. I'd like to see anyone claiming they strictly use this one handed nonsense in any number of situations that come to mind. Unless you have one of those little knobs on the edge of your wheel, palming it is very very dangerous and rarley, if ever provides what I would consider an adequate amount of control over the vehicle... I use both, depending on the situation... but when I'm above 35 mph, or around people, other vehicles, back roads or urban areas, I'm 99% two hand....
The point I get after reading all 100+ posts is that the OP is the best driver in the world and is showing off his one hand skill. I find it takes much more careful control using one handed steering than it does with two handed steering.
I don't palm my steering wheel at all with one hand. (Only parallel parking)
I usually grip the Steering wheel.
Normal driving my hand would be on the 9 position. If I see a sharp turn coming, I'd reposition my hand to the 6 position or the 12 position (gripped) depending on whether i take a left or a right.
I usually grip the Steering wheel.
Normal driving my hand would be on the 9 position. If I see a sharp turn coming, I'd reposition my hand to the 6 position or the 12 position (gripped) depending on whether i take a left or a right.
"Duct Tape Death Match"!!!
Seriously, is whatever you're doing with your other hand that important that you want to cut your vehicle control redundancy in half?
Seriously, is whatever you're doing with your other hand that important that you want to cut your vehicle control redundancy in half?
Ladies and gentlemen I have a solution to this problem.
Buy yourselves all the Big Pimpin Cabby Knob so you can drive holding onto a metal ball eroding from your steering wheel!
Buy yourselves all the Big Pimpin Cabby Knob so you can drive holding onto a metal ball eroding from your steering wheel!
I can't drive with one hand at 12:00. I drive a manual, but my hand in that position feels awkward and unsafe. I put my hands at about 10/2 instead.
Yea, it's much more difficult for me to make a 90 degree turn using the crank method because I'm busy shifting than it is for me to shift and then use both hands.
I think you're just uncoordinated. Our brains are designed to use both hands simultaneously.
Yea, it's much more difficult for me to make a 90 degree turn using the crank method because I'm busy shifting than it is for me to shift and then use both hands.
I think you're just uncoordinated. Our brains are designed to use both hands simultaneously.
in driving school, one of the points they stress is to drive with your hands in the 10 and 2 o clock positions. in fact, this is how i failed my drive test. i wasn't using both hands on the wheel at all times and when i was, it wasnt in the 2 and 10 oclock positions.
im pretty sure they wont make this point if it wasn't right.
im pretty sure they wont make this point if it wasn't right.
Because in Romania you will fail your driving test (for driving licence) if you don't keep both hands on the wheel.
Calin
Calin
I just wanted to point out that lifting off the gas when you lose rear traction in a RWD car is the absolute last thing you want to do. The ABSOLUTE LAST. You will spin out immediately. Otherwise, please go practice driving with two hands. It will make you a better driver, guaranteed.
Situations where you would hydroplane and you are in a GM (Pontiac) car is the perfect example of where 2 hands are needed.
The reason is because GMs all have exposed wiring underneath which will short when you go through more than an inch or 2 of water at speed. When this happens, the first result (if it's not bad enough to stall you which it usually isn't) is that you will temporarily lose power steering. 1-handed non-power steering sucks.
The reason is because GMs all have exposed wiring underneath which will short when you go through more than an inch or 2 of water at speed. When this happens, the first result (if it's not bad enough to stall you which it usually isn't) is that you will temporarily lose power steering. 1-handed non-power steering sucks.
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