The Porsche Sports Driving School (PSDS) is now teaching a simplified downshift that uses the synchro to engage the gear, then a blip from the driver to match the engine rpm. Here is the sequence:

1 - Brake and while braking shift the gear (with clutch down).
2 - Blip throttle, release the clutch, accelerate, in a smooth fast sequence.

This effectively replaces the old 'heel-toe' technique and can easily be used in any situation street or track.

 

How is that different than heel-toe?

 

That's standard rev-match (not H/T) and something we've been teaching at CVR at our DEs forever. It's good, but you have to complete your braking before engating your lower gear. Next step is H/T where as you are braking you blip and release the clutch so the instant you are off the brakes you are on the gas.

 

I often do this while driving on the street since H/T seems a bit of overkill at times. However, I've heard varying opinions regarding wear and tear on the clutch with this technique.

You guys have any opinion on this? Giving a blip while still depressing the clutch?

 

not applying the gas and brake at the same time..

vs when u r HTing, u r applying the brakes and blipping the gas b4 the turn.

Jlipana:

as long as u rev-match, it should not put extra wear on ur clutch.. ()

if u r concerned, u can always DCHT.

 

No clutch damage if done properly. It's all about smoothness and sequence. When the clutch takes the revs are matched - no slip.

 

I don't know how it would work out on the track...

I always use H/T to downshift on the track since I usually need to downshift more than 1 gear. So basically you loose the advantage of engine braking when you use this method.

I always do that method on the street though, I need to brake harder to H/T on the street and it sometimes is annoying...

 

I never HT on the street - you can never hammer the brakes hard enough to get the pedals lined up as you do on the track. And there's no reason to HT on the street anyway. And there's also no reason to blip the throttle on the street either. Both are techniques for the track.

 

Ron, if you use the Rennline elevated accelerator pedal, it raises the accelerator platform closer to the height of the brake pedal. H&T is much easier and you don't need to mash the brake to do it.

 

I guess for me the stock pedals work fine because the only time I'm HT is threshold braking on the track. And at that level of braking pressure, the pedals are lined up nicely.

 

I can understand not H/T'ing on the street. But I always blip the throttle when I either slow down or want to be in a lower gear to pass, downshift and get back on the accelerator. How do you not blip and downshift without engine braking and lurching?

 

As always, thanks for the insight fellas.

 

If I understand it correctly, what it described seems is a typical rev-matching downshift. While our right foot blips the throttle it is off the brake, while the right foot brakes it is off the throttle. It is okay if time/road allows for a momentarly off of the brake while downshifting.

On the other hand, a heel-toe downshift allows both braking and downshifting simultaneously, without letting go of the brake while blipping the throttle. Our heel blips the throttle while our toes are still on the brake, thus no time is traded-off between both operations.

Regards,

 

Yes, but if done quickly it may not be very different from full-blown H&T (or take much longer), and it is what PSDS is recommending.

 

Just curious, would PSDS recommend this simplified technique because of the level of its students? In the more advanced classes like the PSDS Master Plus, heel-toe downshifting actually is part of the practices.

http://www.porschedriving.com/Race-License-Course.aspx

With best regards,