01 Jun 07
Campbell: 'Twice the sensitivity'
9. Posture perfect
Your posture at the wheel is vitally important. Not only does good posture stop you developing back problems in later life, it also gives you better control of your car.
When you get into a car for the first time, get your legs sorted first. Your seat should be positioned so that you don't need to stretch to reach the full extent of the clutch travel. Next, keeping your back against the seat, extend your right arm and place it on the top of the steering wheel. Ideally you want your wrist to rest on the wheel, so you should adjust the seatback angle and wheel height and reach so that you're comfortable. You should try to keep the seatback as upright as possible, as this reduces stress on your back.
You should also try to have two hands on the wheel at all times. Fergus Campbell, one of Team 4Car's drivers in the British GT Championship, has this advice: 'The simple act of making yourself keep two hands on the wheel always helps to keep your senses a tiny bit sharper, it also gives you twice as much feel. If the steering goes light you're close to understeer, if it goes heavy, you're close to an oversteer - two hands equals twice the sensitivity.'
Let them get on with it
10. Give it a break
One last piece of advice from the gentlemanly Bernard Aubry: 'If someone's following you too close, itching to get past, then just pull over, let them get on with it. You want to be able to concentrate on your own driving without forever worrying about the idiot behind you.'
As you've stopped anyway, why not take a break? It's recommended that you take a break from driving every two hours, and when you do stop, make sure you stretch your legs and arch you back to reduce stress on joints and bones.
