The art of racing cars is a high-octane, nuanced specialty that blends artful technique with mechanical ingenuity. Racers who spend countless hours on the track know the centrality of a well-functioning engine. However, sometimes mechanical improvements aren’t as helpful as systemic changes.

Setting the Scene

Imagine sitting in your race car. Your engine is humming; the car rumbles with unbridled energy, waiting to burst forth into the competition. You hear the sounding gun signaling the start of the race. Here, the story splits into two possibilities: you either reach down to shift gears and engage the clutch, or you just full-force slam your foot on the gas. This brings up the technical question, is manual or automatic transmission best for racing?

It All Depends on Preference

The quick answer is, either. Both manual and automatic transmissions are serviceable options for professional racers, but it all boils down to preference. Each transmission type affords the racer a different kind of handling.

For some, they prefer to have as little operational work as possible so they can focus on the race; for others, they want to have fuller control for every function they perform in the race car. If a racer feels determined to utilize one mechanism over the other, they’ll commit to making the most of it.

How Transmission Impacts Racing

If you don’t have an out-of-the-gate preference, then you have a little more time to weigh the options. Automatic transmissions will reduce the amount of in-car operation, simplifying the work you must do with your hands and feet. For those who want to focus their attention on the road, this is a good option.

However, the manual transmission does offer better handling for those comfortable using it. Automatic transmissions handle up and down-shift gear changes on their own time, but the car doesn’t see the road ahead. As the pro racer, you have an instinctual feel for the road and how to navigate complex techniques like drifting through turns. A manual transmission will afford you the freedom to accelerate and decelerate at the exact time you want.

The next time you wonder whether manual or automatic transmission is best for racing, remember these tips. Should you opt for the more hands-on approach, check out our manual transmission parts online at Transparts Warehouse. Our team of transmission specialists can help you make the most of your race car.