Heel toe question..

[Boomy]

Just curious really how many of you use this or other techniques on the road or on the track.

I don't want a huge debate over why you should or shouldn't or what advantages it brings etc. : p

It's just it became clear to me looking around a few forums that some people will do this under almost any circumstances when on the road or track purely because they enjoy it.This could be at any speed too as long as the pedal setup allows it.

I just wondered who here enjoys doing so even if the drive isn't especially spirited, or maybe you do so because you always H&T on the track and simply like to "keep your hand in" so to speak.

Like i say, just curious really due to the nature of these cars.

[Bluerallye]

I do it about 75% of the time in the hatch and almost all the time in the Westy (as it has a nicer bark).  Dunno why but it's more habit now than anything else.  Always try to bring the revs up though even if not H&T'ing.  Can't be a bad thing for the drivetrain either.  My little 106 Rallye has hard a hard'ish life from new and is almost about to roll through the 100K mark on the original clutch!

[JeffC]

I do it on my tintop most of the time without thinking about it but  I find it hard to naturally do on the westy  but the last 3 track days I have persivered with it as blipping on the down change is essential imho for gearbox life on a busa.. Im getting there and adjusting my pedals has helped a lot..

have a quick look at this in case you missed it last month

He is the master of heel and toe    

[adhawkins]

I don't, mainly because I can't (or haven't worked out how to) in this Westfield because of the pedal setup.

I used to do it on track in the old Westfield, but very rarely bothered on the road.

Andy

[Morbius]

It's a bit like double declutching, there is no real need on the road, but I tend to do it occasionally.  The tin top pedal setup is not ideal, but there are a couple of places around Newport where the technique is appropriate in the Westy.

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

Yes much of the time, but only in the Westfield. The daily driver - turbo diesel - doesn't really warrant it as I drive it more sedately and the revs don't exactly rise rapidly no matter how hard you poke the accelerator. That way I appreciate the squirtability of the Westfield and save on fuel, tyres, brakes, etc., in the tintop.

[amc_black]

I do it when my footwear allows in the tintop. Keeps my eye in and keeps progress smooth. Means that when I come to do it in anger its second nature.

[samcooke]

QUOTE

t's a bit like double declutching, there is no real need on the road, but I tend to do it occasionally.

Disagree. In my diesel tin top an accurate blip is the only way of down changing smoothly.

If I'm braking hard and don't blip it can lock the rears, which is scary.

[Boomy]

Is it something you think gives you an instant advantage on a track over other drivers who don't bother?

I mean at trackday levels or competitions full of non professional racers etc?

I only ask as i read a post where someone suggested Mika Hakkinen spent most of his career never bothering with the heel and toe approach to racing.Mind you i couldn't find any concrete evidence of that by googling etc.

I'm still a track day virgin and will be for some time yet but i know enough to appreciate it's a whole different ball game to fast back road blats!

So is it something that would make a track day event a far more enjoyable experience or at non pro competition levels, would you have to be a relative expert at it to stand any chance of gaining a trophy?

I know lots of you have enjoyed many track days and compete, hence my curiosity.

I missed that thread btw Jeff, cheers.

[samcooke]

QUOTE

Is it something you think gives you an instant advantage on a track over other drivers who don't bother?

Yes.

And it will prolong the life of your box.

[samcooke]

You talk about it like it's a black art.

It's really not. You just poke the accelerator before you let the clutch up.

I can do it and I'm a spastic.

[kipford]

In my F750 car found it kept the downchanges much smoother (saves the transmission) keeping the back end more settled when setting up for the corner.

[JeffC]

must admit I find it very  hard to do when Im braking as late and as hard as I can    normal driving in the busa I do it every time  

[Symbiotic_Caterpillar]

Pardon me for being really really ignorant here.

Do you poke the accelerator with the heel or with the toe?

How do you do this?

[Boomy]

You talk about it like it's a black art.

It's really not. You just poke the accelerator before you let the clutch up.

I can do it and I'm a spastic.

Oh aye i have dabbled before, i know how to do it etc.

In fact in all my years on any gradient i have yet to use the handbrake in a car when stopped on a hill (unless i was there for ages of course).

I always just roll over to the accelerator pedal, blip, and release the brake (not quite the same i know) but i can do much the same if i want to when driving.Not that i would be an expert at it when going mach 2 down the straight at Brands or something though!

I just read a few posts where some say they always do it, others say on the road it's pointless, some say it's just "trendy" to do it, some say it reduces wear and tear, others saying it won't really matter etc etc etc.

I just though that in terms of driver skill/ability/call it what you want, i would be more likely to get interesting and unbiased opinions on it from drivers of vehicles such as these.