I'm aware of this technique, but have never successfully managed it.

Anyone care to explain:
How exactly?
Is it easy to do?
What are the benefits?
Is it useful/safe on the road or is it strictly track/off road only?

etc

Thanks


Rich

 

Thanks chiark

Doh! @ me

Simon's "Driving Techniques" is an excellent site, which I've read before and I checked it again before posting this thread, but for some reason I completely missed the page where heel and toe is explained. (That'll be my true muppet colours showing now )

Anyhow - I suppose it doesn't do any harm raising the topic again for discussion on this board - if nothing else but to provide the link for others who may not have seen it.

(For those who are interested - follow the link above and go to Techniques/General/Heel & Toe)

Anyone who wants to add further insight or pointers, please do...

Thanks

 

I've heel and toed full time on the road and on track for the last 8 years. Can't now drive any other way.

Makes downward gearchanges much smoother and balances the car better.

 

Me too.

Is there any other way ? !

 

There is no way I can move my leg anywhere near the angle that would require too much football when younger ensured that.

Just as well I'm always in the right gear when approaching a corner

 

This is one of the better explanations I have seen.

http://www.turnfast.com/tech_driving..._heeltoe.lasso

Other sections of the site are pretty good too.

Ken

 

I found fitting a set of WIDE pedals helped no end.

I'm getting better at changing gears without using the clutch now as well Just don't force it into gear.... be gentle.

 

Rich
It does take a while - keep at it, it's worth it.

 

I've just read the explanation on the turnfast website, and the only thing I would say from personal experience is that it is difficult to get a sensitive feel by using the actual underside of the heel of your rght foot as described.

Rather than this, I have always rolled my foot over sideways and used the right hand edge of my foot (roughly halfway between the toes and the heel depending where your throttle pedal is set) to blip the throttle. This is more sensitive and adaptable to the light pressure that is needed on the accelerator than pressing down with the heel.

 

Dave - that's just what I always do, but from reading DT, I'm not sure that it is real heel and toeing. It's more sort of "bunion and little toeing"

 

I agree with Dave and that's what I do too. Its more of a right-side-left-side thing of the right foot, rather than a heel-toe.

This is a topic that always becomes very clumsy when discussed in text. Its really something that's better learnt in person from someone who can do it. Once you've got it, its like walking - no need to actively think about it anymore.

 

I used to do it like that but find it harder to apply the correct amount of pressure on the brake..

David

 

I just press the minus button on the steering wheel and the electronics blip the throttle for a perfect down shift

Maybe a little less satisfying that learning it yourself.

Lee

 

i tried left foot breaking once i nearly ended up sat outside the car, i didnt realise my foot moves so little when breaking and requires so little effort

 

I have also tried left foot braking on the road
I was surprised the airbag didn't go off...

 

but that was only once i had found the break im sure someone was moving it while i was trying to break

 

& i'm still really trying 2 get used 2 the advice on turnfast about i really had 2 make sure my back was limbered up b4 doing it but combined with the heel-toe downshift it really makes driving a different experiance although the copper that saw me facing wrong direction while slowing down wasn't impressed OK so i'm blatently kidding i no these foreign types have things the wrong way round so on a serious note i shall definately be trying this however hard it may prove as my old man was moaning that it was when changing gear which it was a bit so sounds useful
Si

[Edited by scooby_si - 7/12/2002 6:05:36 PM]

[Edited by scooby_si - 7/12/2002 6:06:43 PM]

 

Suggest http://www.drivingtechniques.co.uk

It should be perfectly safe to try on the road providing you don't get yourself in a mess and you're smooth on the brake. At least it's your right foot doing the braking. Word of advice: don't try left foot braking on the road

[Edited by chiark - 7/11/2002 8:00:27 PM]

 

Thanks for that link Ken - very informative.

I've been trying it a little this morning, but it's going to take a lot of practice to get right.

I'm finding the hardest thing is to blip the throttle the right amount get the revs just right for the gear I'm shifting down to.

Right now, I either under do it which means I still get engine braking or over do it causing the car to lurch forward

Oh well, lots more practice for me!

Rich

[Edited by RichS - 7/12/2002 9:46:37 AM]

 

Yeah - I must admit, I've tried left foot braking on the road as well... not a good idea IMHO (unless you really know what you're doing.)

It's not too bad if you concentrate on what you're doing, but as soon as you need to stop unexpectedly, you're left foot automatically switches over to "clutch mode" and tries to bury the brake pedal into the carpet.
(Though the experts probably don't do this! )

I was lucky and got away with nothing worse than stalling the car.
And I was very surprised how strong my left leg is!

Anyway - I'll stick to the heel'n'toe practice.

[Edited by RichS - 7/12/2002 5:10:47 PM]