Finding the perfect driving position

Karl believes that petrol is in the blood, and a love for mechanical things often genetic. But there’s no reason why progeny and parent can’t disagree...

Petrol, it seems, is in the blood. A love of mechanical things is often passed from one generation to the next. While it’s true that peers may awaken a desire to enjoy cars to their fullest, more often than not, a father inculcates this enthusiasm in his kids.

I remember fondly many hours spent with my father in the garage at home fixing up my car after I had crashed it or blown up some crucial part. While I’m not so sure he enjoyed sorting out my mistakes, he was always there to give direction and guidance wherever it was needed.

But there was one area in which we didn’t see eye-to-eye: Driving position.

By some miracle of genetics, I ended up over six inches taller than him. Our driving positions, as a result, have ended up quite different. But not in the way you’d expect.

I tend to drive close to the wheel, with my arms bent, steering wheel high up and heels firmly wedged into the carpet. Him? Steering wheel far away and sits is in his lap, the seat is miles back, his arms are straight and the pedal action is done by flexing his toes. Quite how he does it, I have no idea.  His philosophy on the straight-armed approached is that he can reach all points of the steering wheel at any time.

So, how do you drive? Some take the Le Mans approach: close to the dash, steering wheel almost in their face. Others are quite laid back… literally. The angle of the backrest combined with the seat height as low as it can go gives them a “cool” look, apparently. Some even go so far as to unbolt the seat rails so the seat can be even lower. Apart from a guy I knew who was 6’ 8” and owned a Suzuki Mighty Boy, it’s not really a good idea.

The best way to find a good driving position isn’t to watch how they do it on Fast and Furious, it’s to go to your local track day. There, you’ll find instructors willing to teach you how to do it properly. But be prepared for a shock – they’ll put you far closer to the wheel than you may feel comfortable with.

I remember setting myself up behind the wheel for a session at the Jaguar F-Type launch, and the instructor pressed the seat button and pushed it forward. And continued forward. And didn’t let go. Sorry, but now, this feels all wrong. “Perfect,” he stated with a smile on his face. I was about to shift it back when he tapped my hand with his pen and told me to leave it. Despite my protests, he asked me just to try it. My lap times improved by a few seconds. Can’t argue with that.

Father-dear remains unconvinced. Every car he takes out for a spin I have to readjust the driving position afterward. Despite my recommendations on the 90-degree arms and higher steering wheel, he wants to reach out as far as he can. The worst part? He’s still a good steerer.