can anyone explain to me the theory behind double de-clutching (is that the right word?) and how you do it?

 

please

 

thank you

 

ste

while we're at it, can we have an explaination of 'heel and toe' as well :confused:

Dave

I tought that went out when they stopped putting crank handles on engines, and discovered that air inside a tyre was preferable to solid rubber!

Double de-clutching is a relic from the era of non-synchromesh transmissions. Back in the days of non-synchro 1st gears, most people just didn't use that gear except when starting from rest.

 

Racers don't do much double de-clutching these days. In fact a lot of racing transmissions are shifted without de-clutching. It used to be a practice to downshift through the gears to help slow the car and preserve the brakes. But brakes on modern cars tend to be stouter than the transmissions.

 

Sooo..brake like crazy for the corner and shift into the gear you need for acceleration off the apex. Brake, brake, brake with right foot; de-clutch with left foot; blip throttle with side of right foot while still braking; engage clutch after selecting proper gear. Sort of like that.

 

Just takes practice and well-placed brake pedal/throttle pedal relationship. BTW double de-clutching had nothing to do with saving the clutch. If you didn't double de-clutch in a non-synchro trans, you got a horrible grinding crunch as the gears tried to mesh. Try shifting into reverse while driving - that sound.

Heel and Toe. With pictures! :D

Clearly both these things are far too difficult for auto drivers to do. They just want an on/off button ! LOL :D

thanks ajay,

 

i'd heard people mention it but never really knew what it meant and couldn't see what the point was.

 

i will experiment with what you mentioned. lets hope i have more success than with my occaisional attempts at left-foot braking - i normally end up headbutting the windscreen a few times after over applying the brake and then giving up feelling quite silly. i blame it on having ridiculously large feet, its nothing to do with lack of coordination or practice!

 

ste

Originally posted by AndyP

Clearly both these things are far too difficult for auto drivers to do. They just want an on/off button ! LOL :D

 

Yup, you're right there mate!:D

 

I'd rather watch where the road is going than worry about dicking around with a half a foot on this pedal, a bit of a toe on another etc. The roads around here are not so much a rally track as a Destruction Derby! so an extra nth of a nano-second on gear change really don't make much difference!

Who needs 'heel and toeing' when Racelogic offer Full Throttle Shift as an option for their traction control unit ? ;) Every time you depress the clutch it holds the engine at whatever revs you've preset it to !

 

It's the lazy man's option, which suits me !! :D

 

Well what do you expect - my Z used to be auto !! :D

just read that link - i think "heel & toe" was what i meant in the first place!