LHD - what's it like to drive/track? - Page 1 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

Hello all, Couple of question for those with experience. 1. How much of a PITA is a LHD on UK roads? 2. Is it odd/difficult relearning lines on track in a LHD? Cheers Slodge

For road it's just what you get used too. Pal of mine had driven LHD in London for the last 20yrs not a problem. I guess slight pain if you enter lots of car parks etc but it's hardly the end of the world having to exit your car to take a ticket! Also good two way euro mkt these days for buying/selling. They say for track a 911 drives best in LHD form

I have had LHD for 9 years and not a problem on the roads. Over taking truckson single roads can be a pain, but you just have to leave bigger gaps. To be honest most of the time I never really noticed the difference, it's usually passengers that freak the first time they sit on the wrong side, they feel oddly exposed. Happily swap between left/right hand drive cars with out issue. My track work isn't good enough to worry about it, but these days my track car is rhd, but again it was fine. If you are using it daily, ticket booths might be a ball ache. Would happily go LHD drive again.

Got beaten to most of the same answer. Also worth adding that LHD have a better driving position and feels like more leg room than RHD, also a lot don't have a sun roof, which if you are tall like me gives proper head room. I am talking about older cars though.

Like others who have alredy posted, it is really all about what you get used to. I drive LHD in the UK and RHD in Europe BTW. A practical tip for anyone using a car "on the wrong side" and needing to use ticket machines in car parks, I carry a 75cm long aluminium litter pick up stick. Works a treat, just drop the window, pass stick out of the window and grab ticket/push button!

I've got 2 LHD & 2 RHD cars. I swap between them on a daily basis. As others have said, it's not a problem in general on the roads & the litter-picker is a great tip for carparks. On a track it makes not one jot of difference to how you actually attack a corner and I never give what side of the car I'm on a second thought.

nxi20 said: I've got 2 LHD & 2 RHD cars. I swap between them on a daily basis. As others have said, it's not a problem in general on the roads & the litter-picker is a great tip for carparks. On a track it makes not one jot of difference to how you actually attack a corner and I never give what side of the car I'm on a second thought. same here really......... but left does feel slightly more special

Thanks chaps much appreciated! Cheers Slodge

I brought back a LHD Porsche on returning to live in the UK some years ago. A couple of memorable victories included paying the M6 Toll without leaving the car or using any special devices! One other point that might be of interest was that my wife also regularly drove the car (out of choice rather than necessity!) without any problems or complaints until we sold it around 5 years later!

I work in Europe, and have driven in many countries that are LHD. As others have said, maybe a little pain in the UK for overtaking and parking. BUT... A LHD is better for most tracks! Other than Silverstone which is flat and crap, most circuits are clockwise and undulating, and as such, you're view of blind, crested corners is better in a LHD car. I still prefer RHD as I prefer my 'strong' arm in charge of the wheel and it's what we Brits are used to - everyone else is wrong!

I also own a left hooker and a right as well, when driving the LHD my left weaker arm isn't as precise as right hand and miss the odd gear when obligatory one handed steering is utilized but driving position does feel right especially in German metal

Jim1556 said: A LHD is better for most tracks! Other than Silverstone which is flat and crap, most circuits are clockwise and undulating, and as such, you're view of blind, crested corners is better in a LHD car Putting homologation reasons aside, I'd always understood RHD to be preferable to LHD on track, as it places you closer to the apex on the (mainly) clockwise circuits.

As said already, overtaking can be a pain but nothing that would really stop me getting another lhd car. Trackwise, no difference i find. Good tip above about parking tickets, must remember to get one of those sticks!

You just alter your driving on roads to cope with LHD. Taking peeks up the inside on left hand bends, holding back a little more before the overtake on a straight or closing up on a right hander. Makes you think a little more about your lane positioning but it's no biggie.