While it is well known that two pedals are dominant for those who want to run fast, why do some people choose to opt for a 3-pedal manual transmission (MT)?
Is it mere nostalgia, a do-it-yourself spirit, or has Rikutsu-Kone-Taro been seriously contemplating these ideas for a long time?
Phrases like ‘For sports driving, it has to be MT’ or ‘Real men drive MT’ might be based on deeply ingrained beliefs, a level of attachment or fixation. While it may seem illogical and excessive to obsess over such things, there might actually be reasons why MT is considered essential.
By the way, when looking up the meaning of ‘to be particular (kodawaru)’ in a dictionary, it was described as, “An expression that means to be overly concerned about relatively unimportant things, wanting to continue to pay attention to or modify them unnecessarily. Also referred to as ‘kakazurau’.”
The essence seems to lie in being overly concerned about relatively unimportant matters. Beliefs like ‘For sports driving, it has to be MT’ or ‘Real men drive MT’ may be considered a form of ‘attachment.’ From an external perspective, it may seem amusing to be fixated on something that seems irrelevant.
When examining the RPM, torque, and power graphs of an internal combustion engine, it becomes clear that running within a certain engine RPM range allows for high torque and power, effectively utilizing the engine’s characteristics. Shifting gears through manual transmission involves manipulating gear ratios through shift operations to exploit the engine’s characteristics across various speed ranges. However, modern cars are equipped with automated systems that handle these tasks, making manual clutch engagement and gear shifting less meaningful in terms of utilizing engine characteristics.
So, with this understanding, why would someone still choose to drive a 3-pedal MT?
The Rikutsu-Kone-Taro answer is simply, ‘Because I want to do things my way.’ Even if it might seem foolish, absurd, or irrational from a wise person’s perspective, the joy of doing things according to one’s own preferences is significant.
Even if one’s judgment may not be the optimal solution, the desire is to drive the car quickly in one’s own way, taking responsibility for the chosen method.
From the perspective of a professional farmer, planting a particular crop in a certain location might seem meaningless. Yet, newcomers from the city who are unfamiliar with farming practices might still attempt it. If the newcomer wanted to efficiently and rationally cultivate crops, their approach might be deemed unsuitable. However, the newcomer likely wants to implement their own method to realize something they have envisioned, irrespective of crop success. In essence, achieving what they want according to their own methods matters more than the success or failure of the crops.
Humans, especially men, seem to have a tendency, or rather a habit, of wanting to explore what lies beyond a sign that says ‘Danger Ahead.’ Even if they understand that tasks performed by professionals could be more cost-effective in the long run, there is an inherent desire to try things on their own.
Even with the potential risks and the realization that it might be irrational or absurd, there is an impulsive need to do it themselves.
Doing things as one envisions, doing them their way, holds a significance and value beyond anything else. There is a kind of impulsive drive to act in this manner, even if it may seem irrational and wasteful to others.
Could driving a 3-pedal MT be a manifestation of this impulse? Rikutsu-Kone-Taro had been considering this idea, especially after introducing a quick shifter, and recently, this conviction is growing.
While Rikutsu-Kone-Taro typically uses a Nissan Note 4WD for daily activities, praising its excellent performance, especially when in SPORT mode and with the shift position in ‘B,’ providing responsive acceleration and deceleration as if it were a well-tuned engine car engaged with a clutch. Even though it’s motor-driven and electronically controlled, the car behaves quite smoothly without the need for the driver to manually shift gears.
Despite the convenience of cars that automatically control these aspects, there is a growing belief that there is a joy in driving a 3-pedal MT.
The answer from Rikutsu-Kone-Taro is, ‘Because I want to do things my way.’ Even if it may seem irrational or absurd to others, the joy of doing things according to one’s preferences is significant.
Even if others may see it as irrational or absurd, there is an ideal that cannot be abandoned. Perhaps this ideal was shaped by childhood comics or movies, but Rikutsu-Kone-Taro cannot help but strive for it.
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