dizzyj

looking at my data from the last race, I'm leaving a lot of time on the table due to inconsistent braking while I heal toe. I'm an actual heal toe guy, meaning I "kick" the throttle with my heal vs roll the foot. The data shows that when I heal toe I let off of the brake pressure a bit, then usually back on the brake before back on the gas. I'm typically timing the heal to based on engine speed, but I'm wondering if I should delay the heal toe such that I could get back on the gas right after the shift has been completed.

Thoughts?

mobius911

I think the generally accepted approach is to complete the heel/toe downshifts before turn-in. So if you are trail-braking you'll still be on the brake but easing off it after finishing your shift(s). If you leave the shifts to where you're ready to get back on the throttle you'll be doing it at or near the apex, which is not the best idea (there's a time lag, may upset the car, etc.).

TXE36

You should be downshifting at the end of braking zone. There is a tendency in many people, including myself, to do the downshift at the start of the braking zone to "ensure I have enough time".

Your comment "then usually back on the brake before back on the gas", indicates to me you are performing the last downshift too early. Ideally, in a typical corner, you should either be going for the gas or perhaps trail braking into the corner. When I heel-toe, the only braking I apply after that is trail braking to rotate the car. I don't pay attention to engine speed at all if I know what gear is proper for the corner.

Proper heel-toe is also a lot easier at the end of the braking zone, both to execute and wear and tear on the driveline.

Also, with good heel-toe technique, you should be able to keep the same brake pressure. Practice, practice, practice and maybe even modify the pedals to suit your body mechanics.

-Mike

himself

+1. Near the end. With enough practice, you can definitely do a trail braking heel toe down shift and not upset the car. [Or just get an auto-blip / double clutch car and drive with 2 feet everywhere.]

-td

Bill Lehman

I don't agree. Down shift while trail braking otherwise you are going to be doing some coasting. Take a look at this old video from Summit Point and watch brake and throttle lights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBP3...ature=youtu.be

T&T Racing

I think it depends. Lime Rock corner 1, a slow corner, is trail braking and down shifting from 5 to 3 at first apex. At Watkins Glen corner one, a faster corner, is down shift before turn in and trailer brake, lifting after turn in.

177mph

More than anything - I just want you to use the right spelling of "heel".....

Thundermoose

I thought he was asking where in the brake zone is the best place to heal his toes.

Veloce Raptor

This.

Also, to the OP, the inconsistent brake pressure during heel and toe (which often shows up on data traces as a double or triple spike brake curve) can be challenging to self-correct, but can pay huge dividends in lap times and race craft.

dizzyj

thems fighting words!

dizzyj

lol, I suck at words

dizzyj

so, focus on just getting smoother while HEEL toeing vs optimizing when to do it?

ProCoach

Veloce Raptor

This

And in doing so, usually the "where" takes care of itself

Turbodan

in a 944 Especially with aftermarket pedals or modification, it is much easier to heel and toe without using the heel but top of pedal (little toe and big toe) imo.
For my old 993 I used proper heel and toe but for the 944 you have much better control (of the throttle blip under braking) using the tops of the pedals. Perhaps that is why you are having difficulty?