How-To: Heel and Toe.

[Volume 8]

word, so i figured i'd post this up in case people weren't up on this, got bored today and took a few pics so here goes.


Heel and toe downshifting is a technique used to match revs while under hard braking going into a corner. This gets you into the lower gear before the turn and sets you up to exit the corner faster since you won't have to shift down mid-corner.

Step1
-approaching the corner still on the throttle


Step2
-start braking as you continue towards the corner


Step3A
-disengage the clutch and start to select the lower gear...


Step3B
-as you are selecting the lower gear, roll your foot over, keeping the ball of your foot on the brake pedal, use the outside edge of your foot to blip the throttle as necessary.


Step4
-engage the clutch and continue braking into the corner


Step5
-roll back into the throttle and trace the line out of the corner


Here's a quick vid going through the motions.
Click here to watch heel-and-toe (http://media.putfile.com/heel-and-toe)

This is a relatively simple but highly effective and essential technique for serious driving. It takes time to get the feel for it but once learned it becomes a habit. Hope this helps anybody who may not have known about this and for those in the know, i'm sorry for stating the obivous.

[JdmRevelations]

not bad... shows the "process" of it

[Volume 8]

thanks luis, i tried to make it so it was easy to understand. plus it gave me a chance to show off my new Puma Speed Cats.

[JdmRevelations]

ima need a pair of speedcats soon... but i want to be an A$$ and get pink ones... eheh SERIOUSLY... or even sum white ones or anything i can dye pink

[Volume 8]

haha, that's definitely original, and i know they have pink ones, my buddy's girl has them. I gotta get a pair of black ones and the red ferrari editions.

[G-rat]

nice write up...:TU:

im gonna be getting a pair of addias....cant remember what they are called but the have good year tire tread of the bottom of them

[Volume 8]

thanks, i think i've seen those, are they the high-top ones?

[G-rat]

here is a pic of them.......



there are cooler looking styles though but this is the only one i could find a big enough pic of

[G-rat]

here are the ones i wanna get

[JdmRevelations]

Speedcats Own Those Adidas!

[G-rat]

Speedcats Own Those Adidas!

pshhh:TD: ....hahaha j/p luis

[Foos]

I've been wanting to learn heel-toe driving but haven't gotten it down yet and forget about it when I'm driving.

I also like how this thread went from a heel-toe demo to a "I wanna get ______ shoes" thread.:lol:

[Volume 8]

I've been wanting to learn heel-toe driving but haven't gotten it down yet and forget about it when I'm driving.

I also like how this thread went from a heel-toe demo to a "I wanna get ______ shoes" thread.:lol:


haha, i'm a sneaker whore, but seriously, once you learn it, you won't even have to think about it.

[G-rat]

haha, i'm a sneaker whore, but seriously, once you learn it, you won't even have to think about it.


man speeks the truth.....just practice it...even around town when u are commin to a stop somewhere....after a while it will become 2nd nature to u

[Partizan]

I tried this today,but I couldn't get it right. Maybe it was cause of the huge skating shoes I was wearing.

Do you wear your speed cats for just driving or wat? How good are they?

[G-rat]

skate shoes dont work very well...they are to big and bulky and not very light....to much padding on them so u cant really feel the pedals as u would in speed cats or a similiar shoe like them.....but dont expect to get it down the first time u go out and try it.....just keep praticing a little each day and eventually it will come 2nd nature

[Partizan]

Yeah thats what I thought. I guess Il have to buy some speed cats, cause all of my shoes are pretty bad pedal feel.

[G-rat]

Yeah thats what I thought. I guess Il have to buy some speed cats, cause all of my shoes are pretty bad pedal feel.

no no no....adidias race shoes for teh win:TU:

[Volume 8]

speed cats own!!:rockon:


haha, but seriously, skate shoes definitely suck for driving, anything with a thick sole and a lot of padding isnt good. I got the speed cat SDs cuz they're the casual version of the puma/sparco racing shoes, they're really comfortable, they're like slippers that fit like a glove. it definitely gives me a lot more feel when i'm driving. but any shoe will work, i used to drive big rigs and heel-toe in workboots. It's more about how you use your foot. It's like learning how to drive a manual, it takes time to feel it out but becomes second-nature.

[G-rat]

i see this going on forever about which shoe is good....i think im gonna have to get both just to find out:D

[Partizan]

Im gona get some speedcats when i Get some money.(being a HS student sucks ass) Where did you get yours?

[Volume 8]

i got mine at a local "urban outfitter" store(aka the asian dudes who sell the latest gear), they shouldn't be too hard to find, i saw them at the mall too. if for some crazy reason you can't find 'em locally you can get them online.

[Partizan]

Il have to hit up the mall then. Im pretty sure I can get them then, since im in the bay.

[G-rat]

i have seen the speed cats at the concord mall....not sure if live around that area or not?

[crazyxzer0]

when you become a master at it, you will be able to do this :)

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/76508137-C39D-4B8E-BB5B-0236878506D0.htm


this is me in my old car. :japanflag:

[rawkusx]

i thought heel toe was a dance.

[OniFactor]

i like me my oldschool adidas driving shoes.. i wanna get a pair of high tops, though..

btw, decent skills on the car. ;-)

[crazyxzer0]

it shouldn;t matter what kind of shoes you wear to heel-toe. You should be able to do it in any type of shoe.

I've been practicing heel-toe since I was 16 and 4years later I'm still improving it as I use it during corner entry.

[naman]

I learned about 3 years ago and do it daily going into corners and even getting more practicing at lights and signs I get better everyday. And I do it with all of my shoes but my speedwell sports driving shoes work the best.

[angrychicken]

You won't win any bragging rights with these bad boys but they are easy on the pocket book and work just as good as other shoes.


I picked up 3 pairs of these for racing @ $9dollars a pair @ Big 5 a couple of years ago. They provide decent pedal feel, but are horrible to walk around in. When I go racing I actually take them off when I'm not running the course and put on my regular shoes for comfort. A lot of guys I race with will also buy wrestling shoes after the wrestling season is over at clearance prices.

[G-rat]

well...u will happy to here that i ended u buying speed cats......i like them alot though....way better than my bulky skate shoes i use to use thats for sure

[Volume 8]

nice, speed cats for the win! which color did you get?

[G-rat]

picked these up for $55.....

[USciVicMC]

sorry to bring you guys back on topic bout the heel toe, but i dont understand why, in the video, the driver never put his foot back on the gas.... at what point in the turn should i get back on the gas?:japanflag:

[Volume 8]

i was sitting in a parking lot, it would have been tough and not too safe to take those pics while i was driving. i just wanted to show the general motions. as far as getting back on the throttle, it depends on the corner, not every turn is the same. for the most part though, as soon as you're off the brakes you want to be on the throttle, lightly at first,then gradually apply power as needed to pull you through the corner and out. I personally tend to trail-brake a little on entry to induce steering then feed in throttle to balance the nose into and through the corner. but like i said, it all depends on the corner you're taking at the time.

[red4]

this actually started up as a good thread with nice pictures and a video. :TU: now its just a fashion show. :p

i love my speedcats too though, hehe.....

[Volume 8]

yeah, my bad, everybody back on topic. go out and heel-toe!!!!

[G-rat]

haha sorry....back to the topic

[USciVicMC]

another question.....how much gas do i give it with my heel, and i tried to get the motion today, and i had a really hard time even reaching the gas with my heel:japanflag:

[Volume 8]

try practicing in your driveway for a bit just doing the motions,it may be tough with stock pedals, i know how skinny the honda throttle pedal is, but it's do-able. as far as how much to "blip" the throttle you have to match the engine speed to the speed of the transmission, the higher in the rev range you downshift, the more throttle you need to match the speed in the lower gear. the key with matching speeds is to get it close enough or dead on so you won't lock up the wheels or upset the car, smoothness is very important. Don't be discouraged if it takes a while to learn, i've been doing it for a few years now and i still have room to improve. Like any skill it takes time to get the feel for it until it becomes muscle-memory.

just found this vid, doesn't show much, but this guy explians it pretty well.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-783773124257173554

[crazyxzer0]

heel toe is the to allow the car to engine braking as well as regular braking. When braking, the focus on the car should be at braking not stepping on the gas again. That video's focus was just the heel-toe to a stop sign. Usually the gas is hit after the apex...and before the turn you brake..then coast the first part of the turn..then hit the gas. So after heeltoe you don't really hit the gas very quickly unless it is very very tight turn were the first part of the apex goes by very fast.

[angrychicken]

HonDA9racer, it really sounds like you truly understand the concepts of "balancing" a car. I agree completely with what you said regrading braking points, etc... What type of racing do you do? I'm was just wondering because I might give road racing a try later on this year and would like any info you might have.

[Volume 8]

I'm an aspiring touring car racer, but i like rally and open-wheel too. unfortunately i have yet to hit the track due to lack of funds. I've been into racing all my life though, i remember watching F1 with my dad when i was a kid, i've also raced R/C cars since i was young, so car setup and handling are pretty familiar to me. I've also been studying as much as i can into vehicle dynamics and driving technique in anticipation of starting my racing "career". Cars and racing are my passion so i try to learn as much as i can about every aspect of it. I'd be glad to share my knowledge and answer any questions that i can and if not at least maybe point people in the right direction.

[angrychicken]

Ever think about rally cross? It's an inexpensive way to play in the dirt/snow.
Your paint job will hate your though.

[Volume 8]

Ever think about rally cross? It's an inexpensive way to play in the dirt/snow.
Your paint job will hate your though.

i have, but my car wasn't on the road this winter. and i don't care about my paint so it's perfect, my car is a beater, so i'm gonna have some fun with it, i might even enter a few drift events just for the hell of it.


heel toe is the to allow the car to engine braking as well as regular braking. When braking, the focus on the car should be at braking not stepping on the gas again. That video's focus was just the heel-toe to a stop sign. Usually the gas is hit after the apex...and before the turn you brake..then coast the first part of the turn..then hit the gas. So after heeltoe you don't really hit the gas very quickly unless it is very very tight turn were the first part of the apex goes by very fast.

all true, but it all depends on the turn and your car setup. the car i'm driving right now is very neutral with a hint of oversteer, so i tend to step on it going into and through turns. plus if your really driving fast you won't just be coasting around, you'll be modulating the throttle to control the front grip and rear weight to balance the car into the corner. heel and toe simply allows you to downshift while under full braking, when you can't take your foot off the brake to blip the throttle, it's like having a third foot. what you do after that is a whole different story and we start getting into line and cornering techniques.

[crazyxzer0]

i have, but my car wasn't on the road this winter. and i don't care about my paint so it's perfect, my car is a beater, so i'm gonna have some fun with it, i might even enter a few drift events just for the hell of it.



all true, but it all depends on the turn and your car setup. the car i'm driving right now is very neutral with a hint of oversteer, so i tend to step on it going into and through turns. plus if your really driving fast you won't just be coasting around, you'll be modulating the throttle to control the front grip and rear weight to balance the car into the corner. heel and toe simply allows you to downshift while under full braking, when you can't take your foot off the brake to blip the throttle, it's like having a third foot. what you do after that is a whole different story and we start getting into line and cornering techniques.


yea sorry for the confusion.

Main purpose of heel toe : Downshift under braking without letting go of the brakes to upset the weight transfer.

[omgitzchris]

i thought heel toe was a dance. hhaha yeah it is. but this ones a braking/car talk. not gangster cwalk bwalk w/e

[2coupes]

i like doing this in 2nd on yellow lighted left hand turns

[bluej2_usmc]

i used to think it was just for drifting. until i tried it in my previous civic. fun stuff.

[Volume 8]

I found this to be very informative.


Heel toe Downshifting
Why is “Heel toe” important? Remember, as you approach the traction limit of your tires, anything that takes traction can cause the car to slide. Have you ever downshifted and released the clutch too quickly and felt the car jump as the engine RPM’s were forced up to match the cars speed? Kind of like tapping the brakes. Think of this, if you are driving at 70 mph in 4th gear, at 4000 rpm’s and shift down to 3rd, your engine rpm’s will go up, to say 5200 rpm’s. You can accomplish this by easing out the clutch, until the engine is forced up in rpm’s by the car. This works, but it is slow, hard on the clutch and transmission synchros, and uses up some of your traction to force the RPM’s up. The alternative is to match the engine speed to the transmission speed (in the lower gear). This can be done by pushing in the clutch, blipping the throttle, selecting the lower gear and releasing the clutch. The problem is, downshifting is done at the same time we are braking. Guess what, we have two feet and three pedals to operate simultaneously! The Heel Toe technique solves this problem.

“Heel toe” is a misnomer. It can be done in many ways, depending on the pedals in the car, and the anatomy of the driver. Although it can be, it is not usually done with the heel and toe. The process is commonly done by placing the ball of the foot on the right side of the brake pedal, and while holding consistent brake pressure, the side of the foot rolls onto the throttle, “blipping” the throttle. Depending on your anatomy, and the pedals, it can be done any way that allows the brakes to be used while the throttle is blipped.

Heel Toe cannot be done smoothly unless two things are done:

1) The pedals must be matched. Normally this is done by adjusting until the brake and throttle are even in height, when the brakes are pressed on. The pedals must also be properly spaced. In my car it required adjusting and bending the gas pedal until I got the match I needed. In many cars, the pedals have some range of adjustment, making the process easier. One thing to remember, as you adjust the gas pedal, make sure that there is a mechanical stop for the pedal. If you rely on the stops in the carburetor or injection system to stop the motion, you will probably bend or break something as you try to squeeze a couple more horsepower out of the pedal. Also, make sure the linkage allows the butterflies in the carburetor to be fully open when the pedal hits your mechanical stop.

2) The technique must be practiced. Do not come to the track, with the intention of learning to Heel Toe. Learn the technique on the street, and practice it until it is second nature, before trying it at the track. If your street car is different from your track car, and your street car has a manual transmission, set its pedals for Heel Toe, and learn the technique. Try to get the pedal arrangement similar for both cars. If you must learn the technique in your track car, make it low on your priority list. When driving the line is second nature, you are comfortable in traffic, you’ve got all of the corner stations figured out, start working on it.


Heel Toe is not a required skill at your first event or two, as a matter of fact, you don’t ever have to learn it. It is a tool that will make you a smoother driver (ie. faster!), and you will be easier on your equipment. It’s a tool to add to your arsenal of skills as your high performance driving becomes more polished.

[mindgam35_civic]

im pretty mad... i wanted to learn how to do the gangsta dance.

[Foos]

im pretty mad... i wanted to learn how to do the gangsta dance.
Hahaha, the c-walk FTW!