Every time I drive a new (to me) car, it's always interesting how different the layout of the interior is. Especially the layout of the controls.
What is even more interesting, is that I find the greatest distinctions depend not on the make of the car, but more on where it comes from. i.e. not between Honda, Toyota, and Ford, but more between Japanese, European, and American.
A good example of this is pedal layouts
Japanese cars always seem to have the pedals close together stuff
ed into a corner. I've heard that Asian people have thin feet, maybe that is somehow related? If you have a bigger than size 12 shoe, or like to wear boots, dress shoes, running shoes, or anything besides a driving shoe, or something made by Puma... don't buy a stick shift Japanese car. However, besides that, the pedal layouts are usually indicative of motorsports. The gas pedal is long, with the bottom tilted in to make heel-toe downshifts easier. This is generally true from an Evo to a Toyota Corolla, although more apparent on the former.
Europeans are fans of the floor mounted gas pedal. I have to admit that I'm a fan of that as
well, having your foot flat against the pedal without sliding as you are pushing down does give you more control... at least once you get used to it. Heel toe down shifting is a dream in BMWs, and many other cars from across the Atlantic, the pedals are close to level and the bottom of the accelerator is almost right under the brake. They definitely put some thought into it!
American Cars are hit or miss. Generally the pedals
are fairly far apart, and the brake pedal is large enough to land a small jet onto. Some cars have very nice setups (Firebirds/Camaros for example) that remind me of the higher end Japanese ones. Some, like Mustangs and Focii - not so nice. In fact, in those two, you need to be double jointed to heel toe... I don't think the engineers tho built those cars went to open track days very often, which is a shame. Drag racing on Woodward anyone?
I think this may go deep into the cultural fabric of society... somebody really needs to do their Masters Thesis on this.
I don't get scared easily. When I went to walk the course at Bob's Family Raceway in Clarsville, MI, on this beautiful February morning - I was scared! The course consistent of a very icey surface with mud-holes, and scary looking chunks of solid ice extracted from said holes. I was glad to have my skid plate on. Despite my initial reaction, the day went smoothly, nobody broke anything, and it was a lot of fun - definitely the most sliding I have ever done at a rallyX. The slippery surface did not keep me from taking the PA lead during the first half of the day. When the surface thawed a bit in the afternoon, however, the Blizzaks started showing their hatred of mud, while the Nokians (I want some!) on Jen's and John's cars kept going strong. Destroying 4 cones after the finish on my last run placed me solidly in 2nd. This just goes to show once again how consistency is the #1 requirement in rally racing.
To everyone who has ever driven around looking for a parking lot to do donuts in after a big snow-storm (which I think is about 90% of Subaru owners out there) - find an ice run even near you - NOW. Imagine a huge parking lot - no poles, no curbs, no cops. I don't know why I have never tried this before, it is brilliant, absolutely brilliant!
ed into a corner. I've heard that Asian people have thin feet, maybe that is somehow related? If you have a bigger than size 12 shoe, or like to wear boots, dress shoes, running shoes, or anything besides a driving shoe, or something made by Puma... don't buy a stick shift Japanese car. However, besides that, the pedal layouts are usually indicative of motorsports. The gas pedal is long, with the bottom tilted in to make heel-toe downshifts easier. This is generally true from an Evo to a Toyota Corolla, although more apparent on the former.
well, having your foot flat against the pedal without sliding as you are pushing down does give you more control... at least once you get used to it. Heel toe down shifting is a dream in BMWs, and many other cars from across the Atlantic, the pedals are close to level and the bottom of the accelerator is almost right under the brake. They definitely put some thought into it!
are fairly far apart, and the brake pedal is large enough to land a small jet onto. Some cars have very nice setups (Firebirds/Camaros for example) that remind me of the higher end Japanese ones. Some, like Mustangs and Focii - not so nice. In fact, in those two, you need to be double jointed to heel toe... I don't think the engineers tho built those cars went to open track days very often, which is a shame. Drag racing on Woodward anyone?
Last weekend my brother and I ran in the Son of Sno*Drift TSD rally. Since a good chunk of it happens after dark, I bought a headlight to make reading the route instructions easier. Just a cheap LED Energizer one at Wal-Mart. I will spare you the detailed review, but I decided to give it a try and use it to do some work on the RS and Accord these past few days. Let me just say that this thing is amazing! It runs forever (specs say something like 50 hours) off of 3 AAA batteries, it is brighter than any smaller flashlight, it shines EXACTLY where you want it to, and obviously never in your eyes. It is so incredibly convenient that I am kicking myself for not buying one sooner. For under $10, it is definitely a MUST HAVE tool!
