I'm sure Vic Elford, et. al. have written numerous paragraphs on heel and toe downshifting in a Porsche, but I want to get a a "daily driver's" experience with their 997s. I have a 2005 997C2S, but I seem to have a difficult time with either the literal "heel and toe" application or the right foot "left and right side" application. My experience with a previous e46 M3 was that I was able to toe and heel with the ball and outer edge of my right foot. The pedal placement was ideal for side to side application.

However, with my 997, the brake pedal seems too high and the gas pedal seems too low to easily perform a right foot left side/right side technique. I guess I'm not ambidextrous enough to do the classic heel/gas and toe/brake technique. Once in while when I do execute the right foot side technique, it feels great. Does anyone else share this same experience?

Thanks for your feedback.

 

yeah I do it all the time, but it's different technique on the street. First I explain what I do on the track, then street. I'm sure everyone has their own method. This is how I was taught.

When I execute heel toe it's to get my downshifting done before I go into a turn or curve. It is under hard braking and you maintain the brakes while executing the shift.

you mentioned the brake being to high and gas to low. With my technique you push in the brake with your ball of your foot (toe), then you turn your heel out to the right and tap the throttle. Do not lift off the brake.

Since you have pressure on the brake, the gas pedal is right there. It's a very fast movement that is difficult to practice on the street. This is more of a track technique.


2nd and what I use all the time on the street is more like a rolling movement. Pressing down the brake and while maintaining the pressure rolling to the gas for a blip.

When I teach people I always just have them practice rev matching first. because if you can't get that....

In short, I live for this! It's the best. I do it all the time. I'm an addict.

 

I forgot to mention never to do this in a turn or curve, you NEVER want to unsettle the rear of your 911. Bad things can happen.......Also in my experience when and if you get out of control on the track in a 911 it's the gas thats going to save you, not the brakes.

 

I installed a set of Rennline pedals with toe extensions, and it is very easy now IMO. I do a side by side rev match, the ball of my right foot is on the brake and I roll my foot on to the gas once the clutch is depressed. It takes a little practice, but once you get it down it is easy.

 

You hit the nail on the head.. its hard to practice with light braking because you pulse the brakes as you heel most times..

MIke

 

No need to do H&T on the street and it can be dangerous too, if one is focused on that and overlooks traffic issues.

 

I got Rennline Pedal with Throttle Extension for heel and toeing, solved all my problems

 

Best to practice foot placement and movement in the garage with the engine off. When you've "got it" you can move to the street in light/no traffic, and to the track to refine the technique.

Similarly, as mentioned above, practice blipping the throttle without H&T to get the rev matching down.

Then combine H&T technique with blipping and you've got it.

 

As Adias mentioned, there's no reason to HT on the street. Track only and on the track it's easy because you are using 99% of the braking you have available. So the pedal is mashed and lined up nicely with the gas pedal for an easy roll.

 

+1 for pedal extension for right foot "left and right side" application approach. I went with the Ultimate Pedal brand pedal with full left side extension in my favorite finish with non-slip rubber dots. It is now easy to "heel toe" and I have not once inadvertently hit both pedals on street or track.

 

Piloti driving shoes are great, too, as they feature a special rubber lip which extends up around the outside of the right foot for better control/ grip when heel and toe driving. It's on the right foot only, which is a nice point of interest if people ask.

Plus, they are about as comfortable as you can get- even better than Nike's.

However, my wife thinks they look like the shoes Kramer wears after the dentist, leading to him to sit at the head table with Mel Torme- you'll know what I mean if you're a Seinfeld fan. Short story: she thinks they look "special", not in a good way, like they're orthopedic, etc. I think they're cool, and I wear them to all the car shows/ Caffeine & Octane gatherings, etc. While my wife isn't a huge fan, the conoscenti appreciate 'em.
CATTMAN

 

As always, Ron is all over it.
Listen to this man -- he KNOWS.

 

I agree with everything your saying but I think it's better if the car is running and warmed up, in neutral, with e-brake. Or else the brake pedal doesn't feel the same.

 

I installed the Rennline pedals the night before I went to the tracks, and learned how to H&T while I was on the track the next day. It took a couple of laps but I got a hang of it.

I still can't H&T on the street that much because you have to brake harder in order to reach the throttle pedal.

 

I rev match on the street all the time, it is no effort, and has become second nature. If you are learning, do it only when it is safe.