Forgotten benefit of a round steering wheel. (Indy)
 

In yesterday's Indy race on the streets of Toronto, a driver took a pretty bold move over curbing (not dangerous but aggressive) and the steering wheel kicked. Indy wheels seem to vary but they're all high-tech "game controller" handles that are oblong and only have hand grips on the sides.

When the wheel kicked about 25 degrees, the driver's right hand slipped off the handle, and because the wheel is not round, there was no way he could re-grip the wheel where his hand was. If he had a round wheel there would be a hand grip anywhere around the circumference. (That said, in this case, even a re-grip would not have saved him.)

Crappy video-of-a-video:

http://youtu.be/ZTRk8ynZTEo

Brings up an interesting point that I did not know, never heard before and heard only yesterday from TrakRatt at the tech session - so, when you're about to crash, let go of the steering wheel. Because, it may kick and you don't want to be holding it when it does. Dave said he thought he busted his wrist, but luckily hadn't in his WG mishap.

IMO round wheel wouldn't have helped at all. They are at the 95%++ limit. Once he looses the wheel for even a fraction of a second and starts heading off line there is no possible way to avoid hitting the wall. Pro drivers simply aren't leaving that much on the table to recover from a bobble.

avoiding broken thumbs will at least let you continue racing video games even after your car is gone

Letting go of the wheel has less to do with the wheel kicking and a lot more to do with the impact G forces kicking. Fight the good fight but when all is lost with the tire wall looming large, hands off wheel, feet off pedals and ride it in.

Keep your thumbs out of the spokes and hold the wheel with your fingers (and the sides of your thumbs). I've heard some try to hold their shoulder harnesses if they're definitely heading for the wall.

If I am in a car instructing or riding along with harnesses, I usually hold the harness just to keep out of the way, assuming I am not going to have to grab the wheel1
Dirk

I watched that too, and the previous day another drive went too much over the curb and something similar happened and he fractured his wrist. Ouch.