TWM vs B&M shifter review

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Jul 29, 2010 | 10:25 PM

#26

SuperChargedMA

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From: Plymouth, MA

^ This

Jul 30, 2010 | 05:20 PM

#27

xray_racer

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From: Utah

Quote:

Originally Posted by buellfooll

Did my 1st HPDE at Homestead/Miami Speedway2 weeks ago. My heart rate is just now starting to return to normal.

I'm a retired over the road truck driver with I don't know how many million miles behind a windshield. I, and I'm sure countless other drivers, would just naturally rest the right hand on the stick for lack of a better place to put it. Just got to be a habit. After a couple of sessions on track and having my instructor smack my right hand a hundred times telling me it belonged on the 2:00 o'clock on the wheel he told me next session he would make his point. When I picked him up for the next session and we started out onto the track he showed me his hammer. He just sat there and said "make my day".

This whole story is meant to say your hands belong on the STEERING wheel except for, and only when, CHANGING GEARS. If the knob is too hot or too cold your hand is there WAY TOO LONG.

You're exactly right. I've also learned this at the track. I don't know why, but before that I just naturally wanted to keep my right hand on the shifter even when I didn't need it. Now I'm learning to change that habit. Especially in a front wheel drive car with a lot of torque, you need both hands on the wheel.

But seriously the shift knob gets damn hot and it's uncomfortable even shifting quickly. It doesn't really "burn" my hand per say, it just hurts. I may eventually get a steel shift knob (I have the aluminum one now). Steel has a lower heat transfer coefficient so it won't feel as hot to the touch.