rec.autos.simulators

    ---SimTim---

-A

Left foot braking in a GP car did not happen during the 60s or 70s.  Lauda
in his books mentioned you did not have room to left foot brake due to
steering shaft between brake and clutch [pedals.  They did it in touring
cars, but not in Formula cars.  They did what is called heel and toeing,
but it was basically using only the ball of the foot.  The main part of
your foot on the brake and bliping the throttle with the outside of your
foot.

Dave

I certainly used this with old Formula Ford cars. Not sure about the GP cars
though

Well, you would want to match revs not matter whether you have a full
schynro box or non scyn box.  The high performance engines usually run very
very light flywheels so youy want to blip the throttle on downshifts to
prevent locking the rear tires on downshifts.

Dave

It doesn't matter what kind of car you are racing, the revs have to be
matched with the throttle when downshifting, or else the ballance of the
car will be upset because the rear tires will want to lock up when the
clutch is released.  If you are right foot braking, then you must
"heal-toe".  If you are left foot braking (and not using the clutch) you
still must blip the throttle when downshifting to match the revs or you
will lock the rear wheels.  Also, with a non-syncro transmission, the
driver should "double-clutch" on the down shift.  

It works like this approaching a corner:  *** the brakes.  Clutch in
(optional).  Shift to neutral.  Clutch out.  Ball of the foot still ***
the brakes, right foot pivots over to blip the throttle so that the
transmission mainshaft rotational speed will match the new rotational speed
of the transmission counter shaft of the new (lower) gear.  Very quickly
clutch in and move shift lever to next lowest gear.  This part has to be
done very quickly because the mainshaft will begin slowing down as soon as
the clutch is depressed.  Press the accelerator pedal and clutch out.
Start trailing off the brake pedal and turn in.

So there are actually at least two things going on at every downshift.
Matching of the two shaft speeds inside the transmission to prevent
grinding.  And matching engine and driveshaft speeds so that the rear tires
don't lock and unballance the car.

In regards to the original post, watch the movie 'Grand Prix'.  There is
very good footage of the driver's footwork.  It shows very clearly this
"heal-toe-double-declutch" technique.

-Tony-

Eldred
--
Tiger Stadium R.I.P. 1912-1999
Own Grand Prix Legends?  Goto  http://gpl.gamestats.com/vroc

Never argue with an idiot.  He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

Dave,

     When I went to drivers school in 1968,we were taught how to heal and
toe. I was driving a MG-B and had to have a special plate added to the
throttle so that I could reach the brake.  It was very strange to say the
least. But once you get use to it,it becomes 2nd nature. So much so,that I
still find myself doing it when I drive a manual transmission.

Joel Willstein

Joel,

I autocross and since its a true production race car I just moved the
throttle closer to the brake.  I heel and toe, using the ball of my foot.
I should actually feet foot brake, but since the car has a clutch I never
really mastered it.  I brake with the left part of the ball of my foot and
blip the throttle with the right part of the ball of my foot.  I should
left foot brake, but have not been able to master it yet due to the car
having a clutch, and a motor that really needs revs to make power so what
gear I am in is very important to getting out of a corner fast.

Dave