turbite

I have found no possible way to heel-toe in my car. I just can't reach the gas when I'm on the brakes. (with either my heel or side of foot)
The gas pedal is just too far behind the brake, even in intense braking.

I suspect that this is because the brake pedal is so firm that it doesnt have enough play.
(because of the big reds?)

I've read about people adjusting the gas pedal, but I don't see how. I don't see anything adjustable.
I need to either bring it forward or bring the brake pedal back.

How can I do this?

Tadi

I think part of the problem is that the gas pedal is hinged at the bottom rather than the top. On other cars where I've been able to heel-toe with some success the pedal was hinged at the top like the brake pedal, so I was able to hit any part of the gas pedal to make it depress. Also, when they're hinged at the top the pedal is normally more in level with the brake pedal. I also wear size 13 shoes, so its a bit difficult anyway. I have driven a 951 with a lightened flywheel and had more success since the thing revs so much faster, but it could just be a placebo effect. I've decided that I just can't do it in these cars and gone on with my life

turbite

nooo!
I will get this to work.
I'll put a block of wood on the gas pedal if need be

Z-man

turbite: please elaborate on what you mean by extreme braking. Street or track braking? There is a difference in the two.

I installed a set of Vosstek track pedals in my car, and they have helped tremendously. These billet aluminum pedals bolt right onto the throttle. For brake and clutch, you need to remove the rubber pedals (real simple), and drill through the metal pedals (also pretty simple). Check the latest issue of Pano: an outfit in California sells them mail order. With the extended lip I now have, it makes heel and toe a lot easier.

HTH,
-Z.

turbite

Street braking. But I'm talking about the same intensity you might see on the track (I try in parking lots and offramps), without the fade.

I ordered some pedals a while back with the wing on the side.
Seeing pictures I'm hoping this will help.
But I'm doubtful.

Z-man

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by turbite:
<strong>Street braking. But I'm talking about the same intensity you might see on the track (I try in parking lots and offramps), without the fade.

I ordered some pedals a while back with the wing on the side.
Seeing pictures I'm hoping this will help.
But I'm doubtful.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">turbite:
You will never achieve the same amount of braking force on the street as on the track. If you don't believe me, I am sure that one DE event will convince you! (Shameless plug for DE!)
-Z.

turbite

I've been to several DE events, and I don't believe you.

I've never taken this car however.
Firstly, I can apply as much force as I want on an offramp. The tires lose traction and beyond, and I still can't reach the gas pedal. This is no big deal, as theres to turn or obstacles in front of me. You would never catch me doing something like that on a track.

Keep in mind, we arent talking about actual braking, we are talking about how far the pedal goes down.

pedro951

just a suggestion but maybe your sitting too far away from the pedals, i have no problem with reaching the pedals for heel toe downshifing, i can do it either with the side of my foot or toes on brake heel on gas. the best results for me come from sitting with my knees almost hitting the dash, and wearing tight flexible shoes, (converse all stars size 10).

turbite

I will try that. I do always sit farther from the pedals than I could.

thanks pedro.

Blue S2

You know what, ive been following a few of these posts lately about the heel and toe, and i was considering wider gas pedal, etc... I just couldnt heel and toe. I went to the Performance driving school PCA has in our region and discovered all this talk of the pedals being to far is crap. I can hit the gas with my foot on the brake without pressing it down!

Try this, brake with only the top 1/3 of your foot. The part just below your toes. Twist your leg so you knee points towards the driver door and just kinda stomp down with your heel. Your heel should have lined up right in the center of the gas! I used to think floor mounted gas was weird, now i wish all cars had it. Just press your heel down. The other problem i kept having was getting the shift smooth in a heel and toe. When you hit that gas, STOMP IT. Bring it closer to redline before letting the clutch out. As if falls from red it will catch with the clutch perfectly. You shouldnt feel a thing. It is much easier to do at faster track speeds, than it is on the street. Ive noticed trying to do it on the street a lot of times i just flat out slow down way too much for the turn. The 944 pedals are set up perfectly after all. Just make sure only the top 1/3 of your foot is on the brake (enough to cover the whole pedal) and turn that leg left! If you hit the brake straight on and your heel is at 6 o clock, the heel and toe position for your heel should be at 4 o clock. Your toe position on the brake should only pivot, not move.

Does this help anyone? Go try it in the car, but parked. Remember, heel goes from 6 to 4! (stomp on 4!) I never thought i would be able to do this damn technique. It was soo hard for me to learn. Once i was told this way i got it three times in a row! (i was sooo excited!, i totally shouted at my instructor in joy! hahaha)

turbite

Thats the method I've been trying.
But you've just given me an excuse to go practice more now. bbiab!

Blue S2

Also, how is your driving position? If you sit up in your seat and extend your arms straight out, your wrists should land on the top of the steering wheel. The rest of your body "should" fall into place from that. Maybe someone has real short legs, i dont know? Im 5'9" and i sit with the seat almost all the way foward to be in the right position and i dont have a problem with leg room. The pedals are right there. Just turn the leg left and the pedal will be there. If you do that on a car with the pedal hinged from on top it wont work. It only works cause when you press your heel to the floor...thats where the pedal is!

Mark Parker

BlueS2; That's about the most concise explaination I've ever read. I'd seen a video demonstration of a driver in an open wheeled car with the front cowling removed, and the way he did it was to roll his foot toward the gas pedal. I've tried it that way and had NO luck at all. Now I can't wait to go out and try your method. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

W88951

I have had no problems heal toeing in a 951. I am 5'8" and wear size 8 shoes. I personally find that I cannot drive the car well in tennis shoes, or anything but a very flat soled shoe. I generally wear indoor soccer shoes all the time because I would look pretty silly wearing driving shoes everywhere I go.

Anyway, it takes practice, and a lot of it. When I taught myself how to heal toe in my RX-7, an add on gas pedal really helped.

ERAU-944

i've had no problem heel toeing in my cars. i find it much easier to match rpms in the low mileage 83. i use the half foot on brake half foot on gas, but i haven't done it in extreme (DE) scenarios yet. i drive pretty agressively on the street though. weird about the pedal play, mine seems to have a bit, not fade, it just goes down farther. i need to change the fluid out for super blue.

-Michael