Of course if you're on a motorcycle the recommended way to stop in traffic is on the left or right side of the lane to give you an escape route, in 1st, watching the rear view mirrors for anyone that might rear-end you.

 

I also have my foot on the brake. The fear of leaving a car in gear with foot on clutch stems from the old days when we used to have clutch cables that could suddenly and without warning, SNAP. This isn't going to happen with a hydraulic clutch. Those old fears don't apply anymore.

 

Exactly! Having been a motorcycle instructor for 11 years, we taught riders to be prepared for evasive manouvers at all times. This included emergency accleration. This should be no different in a little sports car.

When sitting in a line of traffic that is stopped, one should stop behind the guy in front so that you can see the rear tire touching the ground. This gives sufficient distance to either go around if needed or to pull up a bit more if needed. If you are the last car in the stopped line, it's always wise to watch behind for that next guy who comes up to you.

That's the "just in case" technique. If you just want to give your clutch foot a rest, well, that's also up to you.

 

I take it that the "old school" idea of leaving the wheels straight while waiting to make a left turn is still in force though, eh?

 

X, I don't believe that a well maintained clutch cable is any more likely to snap than a well maintained hydrolic system is likely to burst a line. The operative words being "well maintained."

I let the clutch out when I'm stopped; It's a habit I developed early on, because holding in a really stiff clutch at a red light takes more muscle than I have available. I guess I also feel safer with the car out of gear, just in case something does break and allow the clutch to engage (however unlikely that might be). I also keep my right foot *hard* on the brake, just in case someone wants to slam into my rear end.

As you've said, it shouldn't hurt anyting to hold the clutch in when stopped, but for long stops that sure is a waste of physical effort.

 

Gosh, I sure hope so. I hate seeing people in an intersection opposing me with their left turn signal on and their wheels cranked left, ready to go. I'm just waiting for that schmuck behind him to plow into him and drive him into me. Then whose fault is it? The guy with the wheels cranked or the guy who did the ramming?

 

[QUOTE=xviper,Jun 9 2006, 05:06 PM]Exactly!

 

[QUOTE=xviper,Jun 9 2006, 05:20 PM]Gosh, I sure hope so.

 

Re: Motorcycles.
Long waits when things are relatively known and safe, then yes, neutral is what we taught. However, when just about ready to proceed or when the situation is uncertain, we taught being in the "ready" position:
In 1st, clutch in, hand on throttle, right foot on brake, only left foot on ground to support.