Robo86
5th May 2009, 12:07 PM
Ok guys, there is a thread on NS about this so i thought why not start the discussion here, please don't turn this into a shit fight thread. What are your thoughts on tracing the wheel and do you do it? (example video's of your technique) heres a quote from Laurence (on Nissan-Silvia) that wrapped it all up pretty well in one post. Ken (ae86hachiroku) has some good points too that im sure he will add!
If you are holding the steering wheel, you have input, that is the whole point and our hands should never be flailing about.
As far as following the motion of the steering wheel goes it is a lot like pushing the brake pedal smoothly. You don't just jam it on 100% you smoothly and quickly apply it because that gives the shocks and springs time to load up.
Think of the action of a steering wheel, if it is spinning and you suddenly stop it, it is like slamming on a "steering rack brake" and loads up the front tyres with a nice big transient.
When you are following the wheel you almost always grab it following the motion of the wheel, not against it. Then you firmly load up the countersteer or initiation or whatever you are doing.
If we had WRC steering racks, reflexes like Schumacher and arms like gorillas we could hold the steering wheel at "10 to 2" or "quarter to 3" while drifting but we have shitbox old Nissans so we have to compensate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avN4H-vpveU
This video is basically my benchmark for how I would like to learn to steer. There are times when he releases the steering wheel but he always starts and stops the steering wheel movement and I would be very surprised if there is not at least some input in 99% of his movements. You can also she him make corrections that would have taken much longer grabbing the wheel with stationary hands.
Anyway, my theory on the whole deal, take it or leave it. Most of my ideas are stolen from the combination of a book called Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code and my own experience so are as only as valid as any other opinion really.
- Tracing the steering wheel helps me correct my mistakes
- Steering with your palms or spaghetti arms is not quite the same thing
- There should be some steering input
- Other people have good balance and timing and don't need it (like Orido)
- The reason it works is not clear
- It is not that easy to do
- Not many people do it and they win
Here is another quote this time from Alexi.
Watch this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj64Mrnp7sE
RUN FREE Koichi Yamashita demonstrating the right and wrong way to trace.
This month's Drift Tengoku has a complete guide on steering wheel technique as well, and it's pretty easy to understand, even if you can't read Japanese.
http://vimeo.com/4193648
Here is a video of mine to get the ball rolling, my technique is not that great (i hardly ever do it) but i think its to do with how i have learnt and how much castor i run, ill be trying it as much as i can this friday (at QR) and will hopefully return with some new footage.
cheers guys, let the discussion begin!
p.s GRRR at this forum not allowing bedding of the movies
If you are holding the steering wheel, you have input, that is the whole point and our hands should never be flailing about.
As far as following the motion of the steering wheel goes it is a lot like pushing the brake pedal smoothly. You don't just jam it on 100% you smoothly and quickly apply it because that gives the shocks and springs time to load up.
Think of the action of a steering wheel, if it is spinning and you suddenly stop it, it is like slamming on a "steering rack brake" and loads up the front tyres with a nice big transient.
When you are following the wheel you almost always grab it following the motion of the wheel, not against it. Then you firmly load up the countersteer or initiation or whatever you are doing.
If we had WRC steering racks, reflexes like Schumacher and arms like gorillas we could hold the steering wheel at "10 to 2" or "quarter to 3" while drifting but we have shitbox old Nissans so we have to compensate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avN4H-vpveU
This video is basically my benchmark for how I would like to learn to steer. There are times when he releases the steering wheel but he always starts and stops the steering wheel movement and I would be very surprised if there is not at least some input in 99% of his movements. You can also she him make corrections that would have taken much longer grabbing the wheel with stationary hands.
Anyway, my theory on the whole deal, take it or leave it. Most of my ideas are stolen from the combination of a book called Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code and my own experience so are as only as valid as any other opinion really.
- Tracing the steering wheel helps me correct my mistakes
- Steering with your palms or spaghetti arms is not quite the same thing
- There should be some steering input
- Other people have good balance and timing and don't need it (like Orido)
- The reason it works is not clear
- It is not that easy to do
- Not many people do it and they win
Here is another quote this time from Alexi.
Watch this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj64Mrnp7sE
RUN FREE Koichi Yamashita demonstrating the right and wrong way to trace.
This month's Drift Tengoku has a complete guide on steering wheel technique as well, and it's pretty easy to understand, even if you can't read Japanese.
http://vimeo.com/4193648
Here is a video of mine to get the ball rolling, my technique is not that great (i hardly ever do it) but i think its to do with how i have learnt and how much castor i run, ill be trying it as much as i can this friday (at QR) and will hopefully return with some new footage.
cheers guys, let the discussion begin!
p.s GRRR at this forum not allowing bedding of the movies