heel-Toe Down Shifting (and an introduction)
Thread Starter
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,033
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From: Pahrump NV
heel-Toe Down Shifting (and an introduction)
Hi all,
My name is Ken Melgoza and I will be posting for Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch on this forum. As a consistent driver and racer at Spring Mountain for the last 5 years, I can attest to the exciting and challenging nature of this track, and the exceptional quality of the staff. Spring Mountain is committed to supporting the driving and racing community, and to that end I plan on creating a series of performance-driving related articles. My first piece in this series is about one of the foundations of performance driving: heel-toe down shifting. If you prefer, go straight to the Heel-Toe video for an action peek at this technique, then come back here for a more detailed explanation.
Heel-Toe Down Shifting
Heel-toe down shifting is the process of matching engine RPMs to transmission RPMs while braking and downshifting. Done properly, your vehicle will remain stable and balanced, resulting in faster lap times.
Here's how it works:
As you press the brake to slow your car, RPMs drop - makes sense, right? Here's the catch; when you depress the clutch to begin your down shift, engine RPMs will drop even more because the engine is no longer coupled to the transmission. If you just down shift and let the clutch out, the engine RPMs will be much lower than that of the transmission. The result is the car lurching forward and a possible loss of control (you know, that "chirping" the tires make when you let the clutch out too fast). This can greatly upsets the balance of the car. Not too much of a deal on the street, but imagine if you're trying to out-brake an opponent on the track, at a minimum you lose time. If it's really bad, you might lose control.
This is where heel-toe down shifting comes in and improves performance. As you push the clutch in and move the shifter through neutral, you "blip" the throttle. "Blip" means to give the throttle a quick push to "rev" the engine. When you "blip" the throttle you want it to be just enough so that when you let the clutch out the engine RPMs and transmission RPMs match exactly. Easy, right?
Now you're probably thinking to yourself, how do I brake, press the clutch and "blip" the throttle? I only have 2 legs and my arms are a little busy steering and shifting! The name "heel-toe" is a little deceptive but it gives you a clue that you're supposed to use one foot to do two things (brake and "blip").
As you might guess, (right) foot placement is critical and will vary based on the car you're driving. In general, you want to place your right foot firmly on the brake but shifted slightly toward the accelerator so you can roll your foot enough to "blip" the throttle while maintaining the right amount of pressure on the brake. The pictures and video below are from a Lotus Elise. I chose this vehicle mainly because it was easy to place cameras.
The following sequence of pictures shows the process:
Here is a short video that shows the heal-toe technique in real-time and in slow motion:
Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch - Heel Toe Video
Summary
Heel-toe down shifting is one of those basic performance-driving techniques that must be mastered if you want to be competitive and maintain safety. Becoming proficient in this technique not only greatly improves your lap times, but also reduces wear and tear on your car. Your car stays more balanced, and track safety is improved.
As with all performance driving, heel-toe down shifting should only be practiced in a safe, controlled environment.
At Spring Mountain, we offer classes for all levels of drivers. Our performance driving schools give you the opportunity to learn from professional instructors and practice and master heel-toe down shifting along with threshold braking, car control, proper racing line, and a variety of other advanced driving techniques. So whether you're interested in Corvettes, Lotus', Radicals or our new Mini school, you will learn and master the techniques to make you a better, faster and safer driver all in a safe, controlled and fun environment.
Spring Mountain is located just 45 minutes from Las Vegas in Pahrump, NV. In addition to our driving schools, Spring Mountain is the home for the exclusive Club Spring Mountain, the premier private motorsports country club. While a student, you will enjoy access to members only Club amenities including the 8,000 SF club house, men and women?s locker rooms, fitness center, pool, Jacuzzi, massage therapy, racquet ball court and indoor gun range. Spring Mountain is truly a unique experience.
If you have a topic you would like to discuss, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
For more information or to sign up, visit www.RaceSpringMountain.com or call 800-391-6891
My name is Ken Melgoza and I will be posting for Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch on this forum. As a consistent driver and racer at Spring Mountain for the last 5 years, I can attest to the exciting and challenging nature of this track, and the exceptional quality of the staff. Spring Mountain is committed to supporting the driving and racing community, and to that end I plan on creating a series of performance-driving related articles. My first piece in this series is about one of the foundations of performance driving: heel-toe down shifting. If you prefer, go straight to the Heel-Toe video for an action peek at this technique, then come back here for a more detailed explanation.
Heel-Toe Down Shifting
Heel-toe down shifting is the process of matching engine RPMs to transmission RPMs while braking and downshifting. Done properly, your vehicle will remain stable and balanced, resulting in faster lap times.
Here's how it works:
As you press the brake to slow your car, RPMs drop - makes sense, right? Here's the catch; when you depress the clutch to begin your down shift, engine RPMs will drop even more because the engine is no longer coupled to the transmission. If you just down shift and let the clutch out, the engine RPMs will be much lower than that of the transmission. The result is the car lurching forward and a possible loss of control (you know, that "chirping" the tires make when you let the clutch out too fast). This can greatly upsets the balance of the car. Not too much of a deal on the street, but imagine if you're trying to out-brake an opponent on the track, at a minimum you lose time. If it's really bad, you might lose control.
This is where heel-toe down shifting comes in and improves performance. As you push the clutch in and move the shifter through neutral, you "blip" the throttle. "Blip" means to give the throttle a quick push to "rev" the engine. When you "blip" the throttle you want it to be just enough so that when you let the clutch out the engine RPMs and transmission RPMs match exactly. Easy, right?
Now you're probably thinking to yourself, how do I brake, press the clutch and "blip" the throttle? I only have 2 legs and my arms are a little busy steering and shifting! The name "heel-toe" is a little deceptive but it gives you a clue that you're supposed to use one foot to do two things (brake and "blip").
As you might guess, (right) foot placement is critical and will vary based on the car you're driving. In general, you want to place your right foot firmly on the brake but shifted slightly toward the accelerator so you can roll your foot enough to "blip" the throttle while maintaining the right amount of pressure on the brake. The pictures and video below are from a Lotus Elise. I chose this vehicle mainly because it was easy to place cameras.
The following sequence of pictures shows the process:
Here is a short video that shows the heal-toe technique in real-time and in slow motion:
Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch - Heel Toe Video
Summary
Heel-toe down shifting is one of those basic performance-driving techniques that must be mastered if you want to be competitive and maintain safety. Becoming proficient in this technique not only greatly improves your lap times, but also reduces wear and tear on your car. Your car stays more balanced, and track safety is improved.
As with all performance driving, heel-toe down shifting should only be practiced in a safe, controlled environment.
At Spring Mountain, we offer classes for all levels of drivers. Our performance driving schools give you the opportunity to learn from professional instructors and practice and master heel-toe down shifting along with threshold braking, car control, proper racing line, and a variety of other advanced driving techniques. So whether you're interested in Corvettes, Lotus', Radicals or our new Mini school, you will learn and master the techniques to make you a better, faster and safer driver all in a safe, controlled and fun environment.
Spring Mountain is located just 45 minutes from Las Vegas in Pahrump, NV. In addition to our driving schools, Spring Mountain is the home for the exclusive Club Spring Mountain, the premier private motorsports country club. While a student, you will enjoy access to members only Club amenities including the 8,000 SF club house, men and women?s locker rooms, fitness center, pool, Jacuzzi, massage therapy, racquet ball court and indoor gun range. Spring Mountain is truly a unique experience.
If you have a topic you would like to discuss, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
For more information or to sign up, visit www.RaceSpringMountain.com or call 800-391-6891
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 38
From: A galaxy far, far away...
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
Nice write up 
I wish I could of read this many many many winters ago when I first learned how to heel-n-toe. If I remember correctly, back when I was taught, this before synchros in the transmission, schools were teaching drivers to double de-clutch. Meaning while completing a downshift we were being taught to lift the clutch & rev the motor while the shifter was in neutral then press the clutch again then shift into the lower gear completing the downshift. In effect, one down shift would require two (2) clutch presses. What a PITA.
My fellow Vetter's should know that this technique, heel-n-toeing, can be practiced in a DD to & from work, one need not have the motor near redline to do a proper heel-n-toe downshift. Not the best way to maximize mpg, but who cares about that? :o
I wish I could of read this many many many winters ago when I first learned how to heel-n-toe. If I remember correctly, back when I was taught, this before synchros in the transmission, schools were teaching drivers to double de-clutch. Meaning while completing a downshift we were being taught to lift the clutch & rev the motor while the shifter was in neutral then press the clutch again then shift into the lower gear completing the downshift. In effect, one down shift would require two (2) clutch presses. What a PITA.
My fellow Vetter's should know that this technique, heel-n-toeing, can be practiced in a DD to & from work, one need not have the motor near redline to do a proper heel-n-toe downshift. Not the best way to maximize mpg, but who cares about that? :o
Last edited by ///DarkSide\\\; Mar 2, 2009 at 10:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 514
From: Pahrump NV
Yeah, Terry is a Club Spring Mountain member. The last time I talked to him he was starting a new book. I think that was back in Oct/Nov time frame. I haven't seen him since so I guess he is deep into it. He is a genuine great guy.
I don't think he will be out this weekend, but you should still come out, I think we have 20 spots left Corvette Track Days
Hope to see you there,
Ken
I don't think he will be out this weekend, but you should still come out, I think we have 20 spots left Corvette Track Days
Hope to see you there,
Ken
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 0
From: Brightwaters NY
St. Jude Donor '09
This is going to help many unterstand the method
We also sell the wide gas pedal replacements designed just for this process @ www.nakidparts.com
We also sell the wide gas pedal replacements designed just for this process @ www.nakidparts.com
