Why not real paddles?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 493
If you're shuffle steering (as you should be and which is taught by most PCA regions) having the paddles attached to the steering column is most advantageous. If either hand is moving over the 12 o'clock position you should reconsider how you're driving.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 15,362
Likes: 199
From: Tampa
I do not exactly shuffle steer or cross my arms in turns. For turn 7 hair pin at Sebring I will take my left hand and put it a 12 o'clock and pull the steering wheel down to make that turn and my hand end up at the 3 and 9 positions and I let the wheel unwind at track out. I was tought by my PCA instructors and at the Barber PDE and Master class not to shuffle steer. The movements of shuffleing the steering wheel around are more eratic.
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: monaco
i have notices that locally 3 out 5 997's sold have tiptronic (auto boxes) and it seems that there are more and more cars in general being sold with automatic boxes - 20 yrs ago (in europe)only lux cars and those over a certain size had auto boxes - now nissan micras and mini's etc... all hve auto options - i appreciate that for town driving there is real logic in auto boxes - but for sports cars all the same give me a gear stick anyday. will we shortly be seeing sports bikes with thumb shifts??
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 493
mdrums- ironic because we teach it at Potomac and I was under the impression that we were going to go national with guidance that mandated teaching it for all regions. One of the big problems with DE is the variances between what is taught- everything to shuffle steering to hooking your thumbs to when to teach heel and toe etc.
When I took the PDA many years ago (maybe ten now) we were taught to shuffle. But we were also taught (and I teach my students) to take a "set" prior to a turn- which you are obviously doing.
I personally prefer shuffle steering and try to teach it not just because I've been doing it for so long but because I think it's safer- and smoother.
Having said all this I'll add that one of the fastest students I had didn't shuffle steer- and he was rougher than a rocky road- but he could certainly make the car move.
When I took the PDA many years ago (maybe ten now) we were taught to shuffle. But we were also taught (and I teach my students) to take a "set" prior to a turn- which you are obviously doing.
I personally prefer shuffle steering and try to teach it not just because I've been doing it for so long but because I think it's safer- and smoother.
Having said all this I'll add that one of the fastest students I had didn't shuffle steer- and he was rougher than a rocky road- but he could certainly make the car move.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 15,362
Likes: 199
From: Tampa
George, yes I was not taught to shuffle both with my PCA instructors and at PDE 2 years ago. I was taught the 3&9 hook your thumbs technique.
Also each instructor I had with PCA had a different idea about the proper line, brake zone and so forth. The PDE instructors I had were all teaching from the same book of ideas. I put it all together myself and tried different lines and brake zones and found what works for my car. I am now solo with PCA and instruct for Chin. I still get seasoned instructors and racers in my car every event. I get all sorts of ideas at each event.
Thanks!
Also each instructor I had with PCA had a different idea about the proper line, brake zone and so forth. The PDE instructors I had were all teaching from the same book of ideas. I put it all together myself and tried different lines and brake zones and found what works for my car. I am now solo with PCA and instruct for Chin. I still get seasoned instructors and racers in my car every event. I get all sorts of ideas at each event.
Thanks!
