Why always counter clockwise
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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Why always counter clockwise
Why is it that all the events that are run around a circle track like roller-skating, ice-skating, bicyle/motorcycle races, track meets and car racing are all run in a counter-clockwise direction and not in a clockwise direction even occasionally? Any ideas?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Northern Virginia
Why always counter clockwise
Here's a guess. It is more natural; most folks are dominant right: right eyed, right handed, right footed. For most folks the right side is stronger. So when you skate, or run in a counter clockwise direction, more work is done by the stronger side.
Same reason you walk in a circle when you are lost -- you walk without direction, think you are walking straight, but the naturally greater strength of your dominant side brings you in a circle.
Just a guess.
Raul
Same reason you walk in a circle when you are lost -- you walk without direction, think you are walking straight, but the naturally greater strength of your dominant side brings you in a circle.
Just a guess.
Raul
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Trussville, Alabama
Why always counter clockwise
Good question, BUT I have raced in, seen live (e.g. Road Atlanta) and watched on TV, many motorcycle races run Clockwise. Also, I have seen automobile races run at Road Atlanta, and other road course type tracks, in a Clockwise direction.
It does seem that far more race events are run Counter-closkwise...I do not know the exact reason why...
Brian A
It does seem that far more race events are run Counter-closkwise...I do not know the exact reason why...
Brian A
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Why always counter clockwise
I wonder if someone did a statistical analysis of driver performance on clockwise vs counterclockwise tracks adjusting for right and left handedness, whether right-handers do bette on a counterclockwise track and vice versa for left handers. Say, it must be harder for a left hand batter to run the bases, and worse yet, he has to turn around before he starts running--got to be a handicap.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Elon, NC
Why always counter clockwise
From my early Little League baseball days (many, many moons ago), left handed hitters have an advantage being that they are two steps closer to first base. Also the momentum of their swing (if there is one) turns them to face first base. It's the right handed batter who has to turn back around to run to first. My coaches used to fight over the lefties!!! LOL
Ron
Ron
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From: Virginia
Why always counter clockwise
WRT race cars being set up to run in a counter clockwise direction, I once heard a story about a driver who had a car set up so the motor ran "backwards" and he would challenge people to race him Clockwise around the track. He would always win. I think the explanation was that the torque of the engine acts to help stabilize the car (a little like a gyroscope). I have no idea where I saw/read/heard this, but it sounded logical at the time.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Why always counter clockwise
>WRT race cars being set up to run in a counter clockwise
>direction, I once heard a story about a driver who had a car
>set up so the motor ran "backwards" and he would challenge
>people to race him Clockwise around the track. He would
>always win. I think the explanation was that the torque of
>the engine acts to help stabilize the car (a little like a
>gyroscope). I have no idea where I saw/read/heard this, but
>it sounded logical at the time.
When Tommy Ivo set up his twin engined drag car, he ran one engine backward. Essentially both engines torqued to the inside and he eliminated the problem of torque steer.
>direction, I once heard a story about a driver who had a car
>set up so the motor ran "backwards" and he would challenge
>people to race him Clockwise around the track. He would
>always win. I think the explanation was that the torque of
>the engine acts to help stabilize the car (a little like a
>gyroscope). I have no idea where I saw/read/heard this, but
>it sounded logical at the time.
When Tommy Ivo set up his twin engined drag car, he ran one engine backward. Essentially both engines torqued to the inside and he eliminated the problem of torque steer.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Rural Florida Panhandle
Why always counter clockwise
Think about it like this: If you want to do some donuts, say out in a smooth grass or dirt field, which way will you turn? Most of us are more comfortable in a tight curve when we are on the high side of the leaning vehicle.
Winford
Winford
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Why always counter clockwise
I asked someone that question today and they said that maybe it's because our hearts are on the left side of our bodies and so when we turn or lean to the left our center of gravity is lower so we feel more stable and when we turn to the right our center of gravity is placed higher and we feel less stable.:-staun
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Why always counter clockwise
>Think about it like this: If you want to do some donuts,
>say out in a smooth grass or dirt field, which way will you
>turn? Most of us are more comfortable in a tight curve when
>we are on the high side of the leaning vehicle.
>
>Winford
OK. Makes sense. So in England and Australia (and wherever else the steering wheel is on the right) do they race clockwise?
Also, if you are on a bicycle and want to do a slide as you come to a stop, chances are you stick out your left foot and slide in a counter clockwise motion--but what do lefties do?
>say out in a smooth grass or dirt field, which way will you
>turn? Most of us are more comfortable in a tight curve when
>we are on the high side of the leaning vehicle.
>
>Winford
OK. Makes sense. So in England and Australia (and wherever else the steering wheel is on the right) do they race clockwise?
Also, if you are on a bicycle and want to do a slide as you come to a stop, chances are you stick out your left foot and slide in a counter clockwise motion--but what do lefties do?
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Why always counter clockwise
Just a breakdown of a couple of things mentioned here.
Roller skating rinks DO reverse the direction through the day.
Figure skaters aren't limited to ONE direction ,they can skate all over the ice.
I have sent off the question to EXN the Discovery Channel.
When I get their answewr I will post it.
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Roller skating rinks DO reverse the direction through the day.
Figure skaters aren't limited to ONE direction ,they can skate all over the ice.
I have sent off the question to EXN the Discovery Channel.
When I get their answewr I will post it.
[font color=red]Dennis
Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|FTEModerator]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html
[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]