rec.autos.simulators

I don't know if this is common knowledge to this group or not, but I
just came up with a great solution to the irritating clamps that come
with the Thrustmaster GP1.  They never fit my desk quite right, and even
with homemade spacers of various materials to make up for this, the
wheel still skidded around alot during use.

I finally ditched the clamps and decided to try velcro.  I used a single
strip of self-adhesive velcro about 1 inch wide and 10 inches long.  I
mounted the "scratchy" side along the width of the wheel's base, about 3
inches from the suction cups on the bottom.  Then I measured and mounted
the "soft" side to my desktop so that when the wheel is fit to the edge
of the desk, the two velcro strips line up.  My keyboard normally sits
on top of the strip on my desk, so it isn't an eysore and doesn't get in
the way, etc.

Now the wheel mounts instantaneously and never moves while driving.  It
is a _huge_ improvement over the fussy clamps.  My only "complaint" is
that it is a bit difficult to get back off :-)  I think maybe a bit less
than 10" of velcro would be sufficient.  If you are sick of fiddling
with those clamps, give this a shot.

--

The Scripps Research Institute
http://www.racesimcentral.net/~jsmith

With the help of my brother's girlfriend, I came up with yet another
system.  I replaced the clamps with a large piece of 90 degree angled
galanized steel, about 3" on each side, and about 10 inches long, long
enough to reach both bolt holes on the bottom of my T2, which is
identical to the GP1 in its mounting system.  I used metric bolts about
an inch long to attach this angle iron to the T2.  Its top edge grips
the bottom of the desk very tightly, and it doesn't move around.  It
leaves little grooves on the bottom of the desk, but it's on the bottom
so who cares?  

Don't ask me where to get this stuff; it was left over from the
construction of their house.  Maybe a builder friend can get some.

I also attached some microswitches to the back of the T2 with Ty-raps
and now have paddles for shifting.  Works great!

Being a heavy user of my T2, I also have to disassemble and clean or
replace my pots on a regular basis, and lately the pedals have begun
sticking.  *sigh*  

I'm planning to further improve the T2 in the near future by replacing
it with a Thomas Super Wheel.  :-)

Alison