Driving techniques - Heel Toe Downshift

[Perfect Balance]

You can. But it isn't advised, because it reduces the grip available to the rear tires that could be used to hold a line in a corner, or even going in a straight line. If you get the rear tires closer to their braking threshold, there could be negative side effects in the form of oversteer.

Oversteer is fun!

 

[kennythebomb]

Oversteer is fun!

The point is that when you are on a track, you want to be braking so that the tires are approaching the point at which they loose control. So smooth downshifting is absolutely essential to keep that point dependent on the amount of braking. When pushing your car's limits, it is best not to cause any sudden slippage or oversteer by improper downshifting technique.

That said, I am improving on my heel and toe. Haven't tried double-clutching yet, I wanna get better at heel and toe until it becomes natural to me. Simple rev matching (without braking) has become natural to me and I do it for every downshift now.

 

[///M-Spec]

What you're looking at is my Probe with the end cover off of the transmission,

<SNIP>

This is one of the better technical posts I've read on GTP. Very nicely done +rep.


M

 

[Perfect Balance]

The point is that when you are on a track, you want to be braking so that the tires are approaching the point at which they loose control. So smooth downshifting is absolutely essential to keep that point dependent on the amount of braking. When pushing your car's limits, it is best not to cause any sudden slippage or oversteer by improper downshifting technique.

I know, thats why I said by downshifting in my friend's Miata, we can bring the back tires to the point that they almost lose grip without locking the front. Heel-toe allows for smooth downshifting, so there is no sudden slippage or oversteer. If done right, you can achieve some extra grip from your rear wheels.

EDIT: @///M-Spec: Agreed:tup: