Nissan GT-R, left side steering wheel?

[Paulie]

Its quite a common thing for most tracks around the world, and its quite ironic as well, because it means a lot of racing cars are actually left hand drive. The only tracks in Formula 1, for example, are Interlagos, San Marino and Singapore.

I don't think it's common. Nearly all US tracks are probably anti-clockwise, because of NASCAR. Japan and Australia both have an even mix I think, like Suzuka is anti-clockwise (kinda sorta not really, damn figure of eights ) but Fuji is clockwise.

 

[Ardius]

I don't think it's common. Nearly all US tracks are probably anti-clockwise, because of NASCAR. Japan and Australia both have an even mix I think, like Suzuka is anti-clockwise (kinda sorta not really, damn figure of eights ) but Fuji is clockwise.

You know what? I think this is an interesting statistic that I will have to look into.
I'll try and go through the Master Tracklist and find out how many are clockwise vs. anti-clockwise.

Edit: Screw that, taking me ages. I got up to Canada and the majority was leaning towards Clockwise.

To sum up:
Japan? Hmm...
Twin Ring Motegi - Clockwise for the road course, Anti for the Oval
Suzuka - Clockwise
Fuji - Clockwise
Tsukuba - Clockwise
Okayama - Clockwise
Sportsland SUGO - Clockwise
Autopolis - Clockwise

I see that Japan is in fact Clockwise.

Lets see about America:
Laguna Seca - Anti Clockwise
Infineon - Clockwise
Watkins Glen - Clockwise
Indianapolis GP Road course - Clockwise
Daytona Road Course - Anti-Clockwise
Detroit Street Circuit - Anti-Clockwise
Detroit Indy Grand Prix - Clockwise
..and so on, here it seems there is a balanced amount of Clockwise vs. Anti courses, but thats not counting Ovals...which there are several hundred and they nearly all seem to be Anti-Clockwise (but one of the many Americans can correct me on that).

Australia, heh, lets see then:
Melbourne GP - Clockwise
Adelaide Street Circuit - Clockwise
Mount Panorama - Anti Clockwise
Queensland Raceway - Clockwise
Lakeside Park - Clockwise
Amaroo Park - Clockwise
Eastern Creek Raceway - Anti-Clockwise
Hidden Valley Raceway - Anti-Clockwise
Lowood circuit - Clockwise
Morgan Park Raceway - Clockwise
Surfers Paradise Street - Anti-Clockwise
Phillip Island Grand Prix - Anti-Clockwise
Sandown Raceway - Anti-Clockwise
Symmons Plains Raceway - Anti-Clockwise

Aussie: Clockwise: 7, Anti: 7. So once again, equal amounts, though I'm guessing that 20 or so I couldn't check are Anti-Clockwise, so Australia seems to be predominately Anti-Clockwise like America.

These were all of the circuits I could find with maps on wikipedia that told me which direction they are generally raced, so its only a rough guide. But its enough for me to be able to say that in my opinion, worldwide the majority of circuits seem to be run clockwise.

 

[Paulie]

Crazy, all I can say. I wonder why they build them clockwise in most countries. Is it true that Americans consider it bad luck to race clockwise (hence the anti-clockwise ovals)?

 

[McLaren]

Crazy, all I can say. I wonder why they build them clockwise in most countries. Is it true that Americans consider it bad luck to race clockwise (hence the anti-clockwise ovals)?

What? I'm not laughing at you, I've just never heard that Americans consider it bad luck.

 

[ASH32]

Crazy, all I can say. I wonder why they build them clockwise in most countries. Is it true that Americans consider it bad luck to race clockwise (hence the anti-clockwise ovals)?

I think there is a techinical reason as to why you can't really run long distances on a clockwise oval, I seem to remember them explaining it one time when I was watching Indycar, can't remember what it was though, I am sure someone will know.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> I would think that the base GT-R will be RHD, while the GT-R SpecV might be in LHD.

-> I used to recall back in GT4 that the AP2 base S2000 is a JDM/Euro model (AP2 body & F20C engine w/ 250hp) but the car is LHD; but the AP2 Type-V is RHD. In LHD countries like Americaland, this combination never existed (except in Euroland):

'03 Global: AP1 body = F20C
'04 JDM-EDM: AP2 body = F20C
'04 USDM: AP2 body = F22C -> My daily driver.
'06 JDM: AP2 body = F22C
'06 EDM: AP2 body = F20C

 

[Paulie]

What? I'm not laughing at you, I've just never heard that Americans consider it bad luck.

Someone at work mentioned it today, I don't know if it's true or the reasoning which is why I'd like to find out if possible.

I think there is a techinical reason as to why you can't really run long distances on a clockwise oval, I seem to remember them explaining it one time when I was watching Indycar, can't remember what it was though, I am sure someone will know.

I'd love to hear that one.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I think there is a techinical reason as to why you can't really run long distances on a clockwise oval, I seem to remember them explaining it one time when I was watching Indycar, can't remember what it was though, I am sure someone will know.

It could possibly be because the Indy Car drivers are so used to running anti-clockwise, that running a clockwise oval would be a serious strain on the body, especially with the constant high G forces they have to race with. F1 drivers experience the same problem.

 

[Mad94d]

It could possibly be because the Indy Car drivers are so used to running anti-clockwise, that running a clockwise oval would be a serious strain on the body, especially with the constant high G forces they have to race with. F1 drivers experience the same problem.

I think that is the reason. I remember them talking about that a couple of years ago at the Brazilian GP. All the drives were resting there heads on the side of the cockpit.

 

[doozle]

Kind of on topic, in prologue, the Ford Focus ST is RHD, I was under the impression that the Focus was a german/European design. However the RHD position gives the impression it's a British design. I know the upcoming Focus RS is aimed at a primarily British market, maybe the ST was as well.

If anyone can shed some light on this I would appreciate it.

 

[GTveteran]

In the beginning, all cars drove on the left (RHD). Then Europe got all self righteous and fanatical about driving on the left and switched over. I believe Sweden was the last country to switch but I'll have to check that.

As for the anti clockwise circuits, in F1 the predominant direction is of course clockwise. The drivers lean their heads on the side of the cockpits anyway. But the a-c circuits put strain in the other direction on their necks, and because they're not used to it they get sore and stiff. I would imagine it would be the same for an indycar or NASCAR driver when they go to a road circuit.

 

[Tomaz]

The history of people driving on the left side of the road is that people in carriages where driving in the left side because it was easier to shake hands when they meet other people.

 

[Watevaman]

The history of people driving on the left side of the road is that people in carriages where driving in the left side because it was easier to shake hands when they meet other people.

I saw something on TV that said it was so the wagon trains didn't rub together when they went past each other.

Then again, I don't remember anything else.

 

[Tired Tyres]

I think there is a techinical reason as to why you can't really run long distances on a clockwise oval, I seem to remember them explaining it one time when I was watching Indycar, can't remember what it was though, I am sure someone will know.

A couple of club bike racers I know say that it's easier for a right handed rider to take a left hand turn than it is a right hand turn due to the fact that when leaned over, their dominant hand it at the top of the bar and controlling it whereas the left hand is at the bottom of the bar acting as a support.

Don't know if this has relevance to oval racing in a car though. That and the fact that they may have been pulling my leg of course.

I suspect any car that's available in Japan will be RHD and the rest of the cars that will be RHD or LHD depending on who makes it.

 

[Tomaz]

Why is Ford Focus RHD? It is American company, so it should be LHD. I think. =)

 

[ASH32]

Why is Ford Focus RHD? It is American company, so it should be LHD. I think. =)

I am not sure but I think the Ford Focus Hatchback that's in the game was designed for the British market, hence the right hand drive. I can't see it on their web site, so it might not be available in America, it does not really fit as an American car either, so it could be that. Maybe PD only had the British version available to model also.

 

[Patrik]

I never played GT4, only GT3 at my friends home. I never had any PS, but this year I'll buy it just because of GT5.

I come from Europe, so it should be on left side like in US also.

LMFAO

BTW, if I remember things correctly, every generation of the GT-R have had right side steering only. I could be wrong though.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> ...

Why is Ford Focus RHD? It is American company, so it should be LHD. I think. =)

^ Yes it is an American company, but it was designed and engineered in Ford's European arm.

LMFAO

BTW, if I remember things correctly, every generation of the GT-R have had right side steering only. I could be wrong though.

^ Except today which its the R35 GT-R, every previous GT-R was originally designed as a RHD. But they're were very few GT-R's that was cleanly converted to LHD.

-> One of the VERY FEW R34 GT-R that is LHD:

👍

 

[Jay]

Why is Ford Focus RHD? It is American company, so it should be LHD. I think. =)

Ford doesnt even make or sell that model of Focus in the US.

-> ...

^ Yes it is an American company, but it was designed and engineered in Ford's European arm.


^ Except today which its the R35 GT-R, every previous GT-R was originally designed as a RHD. But they're were very few GT-R's that was cleanly converted to LHD.

-> One of the VERY FEW R34 GT-R that is LHD:

👍

Which they did a poor job of the pedals, I wonder if all electrics and climate control works as it should too. Australia does tons of conversions and it's common for many thing like that to not work properly anymore.

 

[TVC]

I don't really understand why some countries got into the RHD thing so much (Japan, England, and most late English colonies). I am pretty sure it has been proven that LHD is safer. I guess it would be to hard to switch now and not really worth it.

 

[Jay]

I am pretty sure it has been proven that LHD is safer.

Oh? got a source?

 

[Paulie]

Oh? got a source?

Yeah I'd like to see that one too.

 

[nk4e]

I don't really understand why some countries got into the RHD thing so much (Japan, England, and most late English colonies). I am pretty sure it has been proven that LHD is safer. I guess it would be to hard to switch now and not really worth it.

Proven? I can see the flames now.

 

[Tomaz]

Logical I think both sides are equal when it comes to safety.

It is a fact, that people who drive RHD cars will always say that RHD is the best, and people who drive LHD cars will always say that LHD is the best side to drive a car. Why, because we were thought through the life when we were a babies driving around in backseat. And of course we get used of driving a car on side we have been driven all life.

But, if I move to London for example, I have no other choice than get used of RHD.

 

[doozle]

I am not sure but I think the Ford Focus Hatchback that's in the game was designed for the British market, hence the right hand drive. I can't see it on their web site, so it might not be available in America, it does not really fit as an American car either, so it could be that. Maybe PD only had the British version available to model also.

I was thinking this. The Focus hatch is sold in Europe, however is the ST version sold in Europe. It may have been designed for british users in mind as with the new RS.

 

[Leonidae]

Majority is mostly right.. thus, Go LHD!

 

[-ultraflow-]

The steering wheel on right or on left . . . . whatever, for me is the same thing!

Normally I drive on the left!

:tup:

 

[G.T.Ace]

Well the thing with the Focus is kinda strange (i mentioned it once in another thread) and the C4 is also RHD in the game. The Focus ST was, as far as i know (dont have a proof) developed in Germany, so it should be LHD. The C4 is a french car and in France they also have LHD. I would actually like both to be LHD, not because i think RHD is stupid or anything (theres not really a difference imo), but because there are SO MANY cars RHD it gets boring. lol

 

[Jay]

Whatever, PD will have the wheel on whatever side they got their model from, I personally dont mind either, I have driven both in real life and dont care.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> ...

Well the thing with the Focus is kinda strange (i mentioned it once in another thread) and the C4 is also RHD in the game. The Focus ST was, as far as i know (dont have a proof) developed in Germany, so it should be LHD. The C4 is a french car and in France they also have LHD. I would actually like both to be LHD, not because i think RHD is stupid or anything (theres not really a difference imo), but because there are SO MANY cars RHD it gets boring. lol

^ Yes the C4 Focus was engineered designed and maybe built in Deutchland (LHD country). But the largest market share (I think) would be in UK, that is why the Focus ST and soon to be released RS is RHD in the game (again, I think).

-> Um, the game is made in Japan, a RHD country. So its pretty much obvious really. Maybe they will alieviate that on GT5.

-> However in my favorite arcade machine game, Battle Gear 2, all the cars featured was JDM models. But in the USDM version of the game, they mirrored the dashboards to make it look like LHD.