rec.autos.simulators

Hi, I have built my own steering wheel which is in prototype stage at this
time, I am going to attempt making my own wheel rather than using the one
out of a car I am currently using, I would like it to be to the same
dimensions as a real formula1 racing wheel so if anyone knows the correct
inside and outside diameter I would appreciate hearing from you, also I
want to know what the maximum degrees of turn a real f1 car has, my wheel
design allows for any amount of degrees of turn so I would like to set mine
to what a real f1 car's is.

Dean

I have also built my own wheel and pedals and originally based the wheel
design on the 1996 Williams.  After the research I did into this subject I
concluded that the average F1 wheel is about 270-280mm in (outside)
diameter.  The thickness of the "grip" varies because some of the wheel
grips are oval in section, and some are round.  The Momo Model 27C which
was the wheel used in Ferrari F1 cars until the last couple of years is a
good example.  This wheel is an open-top flat-bottom design of 270mm
outside diameter with a 35mm diameter round grip.  Oval section Momo wheels
tend to be 35mm x 24mm in dimension (e.g. Model 12C).

In terms of angle of rotation, they seem to be about 270 degrees
lock-to-lock.  I think this is slightly higher (nearer 360 degrees) in
Monaco setup due to the very tight Loewes hairpin!!!

I had some scanned JPEGs of a number of real F1 wheels (current McLaren,
1995 Bennetton, Sauber, Tyrrell and Prost)  but my hard disk gave up and I
lost them, so if anyone knows where I can find them please post the
address.

Hope this is useful.

Mark

To Dean

I have also built my own custom steering wheels and pedals. I am also a
racecar builder and driver.
Nearly all formula and small sports racer cars use steering wheels with an
outside diameter
of about 10" to 11". You can buy a basic 10' formula car steering wheel from
Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies
1-800-688-6946 for about $89.00. Momo makes steering wheels more like F1
wheels but they cost
about $200 and up.  http://www.racesimcentral.net/
Most F1 teams have custom made steering wheels but with limited***pit
space and for less
arm movement they all use about 10.5" steering wheels. We have an 83
Williams at our shop
and it has a 10" wheel.
Nearly all formula cars have about 1.5 turns (580 degrees) of the steering
wheel from lock to lock.
What makes a difference in steering ratio for different tracks is a shorter
steering arm for a
quicker steering to front wheels ratio or a longer steering arm for a slower
steering to front wheels ratio.
My Steering controller 580 degree of turns using timing belts and plastic
pulleys.
I sometimes have problems with this amount of turning degrees because most
games are designed
for wheels with a max of 270 degrees (the amount a single turn POT turns)
and the game does not
let you change the ratio enough to give quick enough steering input.
Ex: If a 270 degree wheel takes 1/4 turn in a game to go around a curve then
with a 580 degree wheel
you will need to turn the steering 1/2 turn to go around the same turn
unless you can change the
steering ratio in the game.

Good luck :), Dsr74