In-car video at California Speedway
07-01-2008, 07:59 PM
#31
Here is the Walter Rohrl Ballet set to some bad '80's porno music. For me the footwork does not get any better.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yYv28ctVab8
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yYv28ctVab8
07-01-2008, 09:53 PM
#32
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[QUOTE=Mike/A.W.E.;5564570]
Leh can certainly downshift quickly. However, this is a skill that is easily learned AND can be learned while driving on the street. Practice by just doing one gear at a time. Once you can get one clean gear, begin doing two. You can even practice without using the brakes. You could do it at a steady state cruise going down the highway.
Then practice with light to moderate braking.
As you get better, you will find that you can apply more brake pressure and will instinctually now how hard to blip the throttle for the given speed. So when you release the clutch pedal, you will not disrupt the chassis. In my opinion, it is far easier to rev match under heavy braking then light braking.
Lastly, DON'T OVER THINK IT. You goal is to make this action to be as simple and seamless as the trillion of upshifts that you have done since you learned to drive a manual transmission car.
Yeah, thought that was Leh. Man, that's a beautiful thing....I need practice 
Leh can certainly downshift quickly. However, this is a skill that is easily learned AND can be learned while driving on the street. Practice by just doing one gear at a time. Once you can get one clean gear, begin doing two. You can even practice without using the brakes. You could do it at a steady state cruise going down the highway.
Then practice with light to moderate braking.
As you get better, you will find that you can apply more brake pressure and will instinctually now how hard to blip the throttle for the given speed. So when you release the clutch pedal, you will not disrupt the chassis. In my opinion, it is far easier to rev match under heavy braking then light braking.
Lastly, DON'T OVER THINK IT. You goal is to make this action to be as simple and seamless as the trillion of upshifts that you have done since you learned to drive a manual transmission car.
07-01-2008, 10:15 PM
#33
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Mike I agree with you and I have talked to Craig Stanton and others about this at length. After our conversations I now try to hit every gear on my downshifts. It is not easy and it is costing me time and some close calls but ultimately I will be a better driver once I have mastered it.
As for Mike's argument about being in a proper gear to avoid others, that's an awfully hypothetical hypothesis. I can't remember ever seeing a car spin in a braking zone, perhaps you meant at the turn in point. That happens all the time (huh Garrett), but if I were close enough to be in jeporady I would have already been in 2nd or 3rd gear with the clutch out. You probably shouldn't get out of the trailer if you're obsessing about what others may or may not do. Frankly there are going to be moments when anything short of divine intervention won't help. Downshifting just for the sake of downshifting is a waste of time that goes back to the old days when cars had lousy brakes. That's not the case anymore.....
The topic I originally spoke to was downshifting and specifically downshifting coming off the banking at CS. In that location you're in 6th gear at 150 + and there is absolutely no benefit to downshifting and letting out the clutch as you approach T-2, a 2nd. gear 90 degree turn with an immediate 90 degree turn the other way. The fastest way there is to jump all over your brakes to the edge of ABS engagement. You use both hands to steady the car from the initial jolt of braking (God knows we don't want to spin in the braking zone). As it slows you have plenty of time to blip your throttle and downshift to 2nd and let the clutch out appropriately. It becomes instinct. There may be turns where downshifting is advantegous as in Leh's video at Sebring, but mostly he's just running thru the gears without letting out the clutch. When he does it's awfully damn quick. I think we do a disservice talking in absolutes where drivers can possibly be influenced by words.
As for what the pros do, they do what get's them around the track quickest. That may or may not include downshifting. I occasionally get a tune up or ride along from a pro friend who has pretty impeccable credentials. Sometimes he downshifts approaching a turn, sometimes he doesn't but at the end of a long high speed straight he absolutely does not.
For those that might be interested in learning more, I strongly recommend reading Ross Bentley's "Speed Secrets" and his sequels....
07-01-2008, 11:35 PM
#34
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Nah, John just doesn't take advise well. 
Mike I agree with you and I have talked to Craig Stanton and others about this at length. After our conversations I now try to hit every gear on my downshifts. It is not easy and it is costing me time and some close calls but ultimately I will be a better driver once I have mastered it.
You can see/hear me trying to do it here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-EUsAIejzc
Mike I agree with you and I have talked to Craig Stanton and others about this at length. After our conversations I now try to hit every gear on my downshifts. It is not easy and it is costing me time and some close calls but ultimately I will be a better driver once I have mastered it.
You can see/hear me trying to do it here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-EUsAIejzc
I can see you downshift from 4th to 2nd, you ever missshift by doing that?
07-01-2008, 11:38 PM
#35
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[QUOTE=carn3rd;5564458]
I learn new tricks here and there by watching video, thanks for posting!
Practice, practice, practice! 
QUOTE]
Yup and some day you'll be able to do this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UjnbIuJNuI
QUOTE]Yup and some day you'll be able to do this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UjnbIuJNuI
07-02-2008, 12:40 AM
#37
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07-02-2008, 04:00 AM
#40
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There may be turns where downshifting is advantegous as in Leh's video at Sebring, but mostly he's just running thru the gears without letting out the clutch. When he does it's awfully damn quick. I think we do a disservice talking in absolutes where drivers can possibly be influenced by words.
As for what the pros do, they do what get's them around the track quickest. That may or may not include downshifting. I occasionally get a tune up or ride along from a pro friend who has pretty impeccable credentials. Sometimes he downshifts approaching a turn, sometimes he doesn't but at the end of a long high speed straight he absolutely does not.
For those that might be interested in learning more, I strongly recommend reading Ross Bentley's "Speed Secrets" and his sequels....
As for what the pros do, they do what get's them around the track quickest. That may or may not include downshifting. I occasionally get a tune up or ride along from a pro friend who has pretty impeccable credentials. Sometimes he downshifts approaching a turn, sometimes he doesn't but at the end of a long high speed straight he absolutely does not.
For those that might be interested in learning more, I strongly recommend reading Ross Bentley's "Speed Secrets" and his sequels....
07-02-2008, 09:11 AM
#41
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LOL, i thought you had some MadSkillZ missing a shift from 4th to 2nd 
i used to go through the gears, b/c i fear to over rev. but just remember to brake harder and longer until the speed is correct for the next gear, then drop the gear. takes some practice. i have upsetted the car and spun out before when i was learning.
i used to go through the gears, b/c i fear to over rev. but just remember to brake harder and longer until the speed is correct for the next gear, then drop the gear. takes some practice. i have upsetted the car and spun out before when i was learning.
07-02-2008, 10:36 AM
#43
Also, if was not letting out the clutch, why blip the throttle?
I have searched high and low on youtube for video where a driver did not engage each gear during his/her downshifts. I can't seem to find any. However, I did find countless videos of foot well cameras capturing shots of mult-gear downshifits. Just do a search for "heel toe" or "heel and toe."
Like you said, whatever gets you around the fastest... If that works for you, go for it. However, you are the minority in a big way.
If you have in car footage of that turn at CS, I think it would be cool for you to show it. I want to see you in action.
07-02-2008, 12:52 PM
#44
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Mike it appears you want to argue for arguements sake. You're entitled to your opinion and to post it publicly. As I stated previously, I think we do a disservice to the readers when we speak in absolutes about racing.
You can downshift all you want. If any of the readers can shift like Leh have at it. Me I choose to forgo the exercise. Let others experiment and make their own choice.....
You can downshift all you want. If any of the readers can shift like Leh have at it. Me I choose to forgo the exercise. Let others experiment and make their own choice.....
07-02-2008, 01:30 PM
#45
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