Mike in Chi

In normal driving, I rarely downshift into first gear while the car is moving.

I've noted the threads that talk about how hard it is on P-car drivetrains to do this.

But what about Autocrossing?

Most of our PCA events are run on shorter, tight, low-speed parking lot courses.

As a result, I find myself with three options:

1) trying to scream along thru much of it in first.

2) Once I'm in second, keeping it there, even tho I'm sometimes off the power curve

3) overslowing the car while trying to make a smooth, gentle downshift into first.

So what do you guys do?

Heel & Toe into first, as in any other racing downshift?

Is it jarring?

Are those downshifts as quick as say 3rd to 2nd?

Thanks in advance.

Mike

Zeke

double clutch.

Howard

Zeke is right, double clutch and match the rpm's and you should be able to shift into 1st without any problems, unless your 1st/2nd shift sleeve and synchro hubs/rings are worn out.
I just rebuilt my gearbox and regeared it with a taller 1st and 2nd, shorter 4th and 5th and new synchro rings and hubs. It is actually geared for the big track at WSIR, but I entered a short track event not sure if I would be able to drop it into 1st at turn 4 and the last turn before the straight. I double clutched and it was pretty smooth, just keep the revs up when you blip, and it should work for you.

good luck !

Mike in Chi

Zeke

Thanks for the reply.

Is that what you do in your 914?

Do you find you can do it quickly?

My car is a 993. I always blip shifting down.

In autocross, whether I single-clutch with a blip, or double-clutch, it doesn't want to be hurried.

I feel I'm losing time getting it down into first.

Mike

Mike in Chi

Thanks, Howard.

I have a fair amount of seat time in formula cars with 4 speeds. We used to use 1st a lot and I never had trouble double-clutching it in. (They now have sequential boxes)

I don't think it's a worn transmission,or syncros. The car has only 12000 mi, and while I'm not the original owner, the gear box otherwise feels great.

What I'll try is a reeeaaallly big blip this weekend (our first auto-X of the year) and see if that helps.

pig4bill

Autocrossing is hard on your car if you go fast. It's just a fact of life.

JC in NY

In road racing smooth downshifting is essential for good laptimes.

In autocross the 2->1 downshift is not commonly executed even by advanced drivers.

JPIII

I do it when necessary.....AXing.
Don't like to, but that's what I built the car for.....or what it has evolved into.
Mine has a 901 trans with the dogleg pattern, first to second(and back). I just match up the revs (semi) and stuff it in there. It goes without complaint.