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Track Driving: Manual or Automatic Gearbox
Today we have a really wide availability in terms of gearboxes, one of the critical parts of a sports car. We can choose the classic manual with a so dear clutch pedal, an automatic sequential (with or without gear selector), the fastest double clutch (which acts like an automatic, but with a gear up and a gear down already triggered), or the semi-automatic, etc.
But when it has to do with the curbs of a racing track, which gearbox is best for a more fulfilling experience and faster hot laps than the opponents?
Good question, especially since substantially it depends on various factors, ranging from the type of car, its power/weight ratio, to our same driving style. The only aspect that does not seem to affect the choice, is the type of track where we’ll actually drive. In fact, no matter if it is a tortuous series of corners like the Nordschleife or the fast Monza circuit, the way you should deal at the wheel will always remain the same: heavy foot on the accelerator and brake and clear mind, remembering that the car should never be upset and that the rules of trajectory and apex are a way to improve your performance and not a boring theory lesson.
Hence in my opinion, the choice of the best gearbox can precisely vary the dynamics of the car that you drive. A sporty hatch, for example, will be more engaging with a manual transmission, the same goes for lightweight like Lotus & company, that using a frame and a weight reduced to the bone, will put you in full control, allowing to play with the third pedal at 100%. A supercar prefers instead the automatic transmission (dual clutch), because thanks to today’s technology there are infinitesimal shifting times, impossible for a manual mechanism and for the human being. Shooting a gear after the other, playing with a perfect balance, it all becomes a breeze (sort of) and goes away sidereal if compared to supercars with 20 years on their shoulders. Same goes for the oversized, sedans and wagons (or SUVs) with bullies engines full of horses. Blasting them with gloves or with brass knuckles, changes a little: they will be fun, thanks to a monstrous torque, but their weight and mechanical coldness, won’t give you exciting rides like the ones you would live on a Lotus Seven.
Andrea Balti
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