When I see professional racing in-car camera shots, most of the cars have a little ring of colored tape(?) marking the top of the steering wheel. What's the reason for this?

 

I think it's so when they get off-course, out in the grass, they can center their wheels by putting the mark back on the top. No way to tell, otherwise. At least, that's what I've been told.

 

I would guess it's something like that.

Also I know of drivers wearing contrasting colored gloves as to allow an off the track person to see their hand motions better and allow for better coaching. This may also have something to do with that I'd imagine.

 

its for centering .. also if you get a bump (wall, Car , etc) you can inform the Crew chief how far off the steering went so they can make the adjustment.

 

It's for turns, if you run a certain track a lot of times you get to know how far you have to move that little piece of tape to get the turn right. then after that it's a visual cue. you learn how far you have to slam the wheel into turns.

this is the explanation from a friend, he has a 996tt with new turbos and about 600hp with the right fuel. we've been to nurburgring running, me much farther behind him in my M3.

 

I asked someone about this on their M3 while we were driving at Mid-Ohio two weeks ago. His reasoning was that he sometimes will shuffle-steer, and the tape lets him know how far off center the wheels are when his hands are out of position...

 

It's for so they know if the car's on it's ruf! lolz

 

The ones who said it's so the driver knows when the wheels are pointed straight ahead have the correct answer. Other uses may have sprung up around that, but that is the initial purpose.

 

cuz it's pretty.

 

'Cuz they do it on Gran Turismo!!

Heh, while that's probably true for more people than might admit it, I did it for the reasons listed above- at the track when you're really hammering, it's just a little aid to help you tell how much your wheels are turned. Most of the time, it doesn't matter- but it seems like there are always a few moments where it comes in handy, especially if you're sliding. Wheeee!

 

So they can tell which way is up when they land upside down!