[Mike Drew]

I don't pretend to know the reasoning behind the manufacturer's choice, but (other than Lotus, which frankly has a rather hair-brained theory, methinks) they seem to universally apply the same standard. There must be some good reason for it?

(I forgot to mention that Ferrari also follows this standard, as do modern race cars; I was fortunate enough to blag my way into the pits at Le Mans this year, and I'm pretty sure all those cars also follow the convention).

About the only thing I can think of with a spinner is that if an object struck it while underway, with the standard scheme it would tend to tighten it, as opposed to loosening it. But that doesn't explain why modern race cars which use a giant hex nut instead of a tri-eared spinner still follow the convention. It can't be as simple as tradition, can it? There must be some science behind it?