Heel-toe technique

[Matti]

I am trying to learn how to heel-toe downshift properly and have few questions to ask from you who already master this technique.

1. How long did it take to learn?
2. How did you practice?
3. Which was most difficult part?
4. Do you actually use your heel or just the right side of your foot?
5. What is the right rpm to downshift?
6. Is it always faster and better?
7. Something else I should know?

[Z-man]

I'm still learning the heel-and-toe technique, but am getting familiar with it. I'll try to answer some of your questions here:

But first: there are two common techniques for heel-and-toe on the 944: there's the 'classic' approach and the 'modified approach.' The classic approach is where you use the left side of the ball of your foot to brake, and use your heel or right side of the foot to blip the throttle. Unfortunately, the throttle / brake pedal placement on our cars isn't ideal for this, but a set of track pedals help. The modified approach involves angling your foot so that your heel is pointed towards the e-brake lever: braking occurs with the ball of your foot, and the blipping of the throttle is done with the toes, on the top side of the throttle pedal.

1. How long did it take to learn?

That all depends: different people take longer or shorter to learn this technique. Regarding Driver's Ed track driving: by the time you're in the intermediate run groups, you should be able to heel-and-toe.

2. How did you practice?

Everywhere where the car was slowing down: for off-ramps, for street lights...etc.

3. Which was most difficult part?

For me, it is consistency: applying the proper braking pressure, and blipping the throttle the right amount.

4. Do you actually use your heel or just the right side of your foot?

I use the classic approach, and I have the extended track throttle pedal.

5. What is the right rpm to downshift?

It varies: depends on the turn, entry speed, planned exit speed...etc.

6. Is it always faster and better?

Well, I think you misunderstand the purpose of heel-and-toe downshifting: the purpose of heel-and-toe is SMOOTHLY shift into a lower gear. Shifting smoothly has two main effects: 1: the smoother the downshift, the less upsetting it is for the car; 2: the smoother the shift, the less wear on your clutch and tranny.
So: heel and toe downshifting is always better for the dynamic balance of the car, and for clutch/tranny wear. While you do overlap your braking and shifting, it isn't mean to make the car go faster, NOR is it meant to help slow the car down.

7. Something else I should know?

Best thing I can suggest is to go for a ride (preferrably on the track) with someone who knows how to heel and toe real well in a car that offers you a good view of their footwork. If done well, heel-and-toe looks almost like a complicated dance step.

Hope this helps,
-Zoltan.

[Matti]

Thanks.
When I asked whether it’s faster I meant that one could possibly save time by shifting down during braking so that when he starts to accelerate again he already has right gear on and he doesn’t have to spend time changing gears.

[AaronM]

Originally posted by Matti
Thanks.
When I asked whether it’s faster I meant that one could possibly save time by shifting down during braking so that when he starts to accelerate again he already has right gear on and he doesn’t have to spend time changing gears.

Unless the gearbox is non-synchromesh, you can still downshift while braking, "heel-and-toe" shifting allows you to rev-match the downshift and brake at the same time, smoothing out the shift a lot. With modern synchromesh transmissions, you don't need to rev-match to avoid grinding the gears anymore, so "heel-and-toe" shifting is just a smoothness thing. Now, if you've got a non-synchromesh transmission (or a transmission with really bad synchros like the 914) then rev-matching becomes a necessity at times. If you need to rev-match, then it does save time to "heel-and-toe", because you can't downshift without breaking unless you "heel-and-toe".

Aaron

[944 boy]

hey, ill throw in my $.02

I've olny been driving a stick shift for a year and a hlaf now and i havent mastered heel toe but i do it without even thinking now. Personally i found it possible but hard with the stock pedals. I decided to make my own out of .25 inch aluminum and made all three pedals while i was at it. I extended the gas pedal and brake to fit my style and now it is downright effortless. I did read how to properly heel-toe in a magazine but when it came down to it i just practiced it and found out how was the best way for me. It is a good skill to have so i say try but the real thing is to practice and find out what works for you.

Good Luck!!

-Greg