High Performance Driving: Heel-Toe Downshifting

In high performance driving and racing, lap times are key to success. One important aspect of driving fast is the task of gear-changing. Under hard braking before entering a corner at a race track, it is essential to be in the correct gear before applying power at corner exit. To do this properly in a manual transmission car with an h-pattern gearbox, it is necessary to "heel-toe downshift" under braking.

The purpose of "downshifting", or shifting the transmission down from a higher gear to a lower gear, is so that a driver can accelerate their car as fast as possible when exiting a corner that they had to slow down for. Heel-toe downshifting saves time on the track because, if it is not used, time will be lost gaining control of an unstable car or shifting into the correct gear before the gas is applied. The time taken to shift into gear just before accelerating out of the corner can cost valuable time, so shifting down while braking kills two birds with one stone. The reason the "heel-toe" technique is required in this process is so that the driver is able to match the RPM (revolutions per minute of the engine) of the next gear down by hitting the throttle (gas pedal) with their heel (known as "blipping" the throttle) and braking with their toe.

This technique, that will be explained in the following steps, will allow smooth and quick downshifts while braking for a corner. The whole process will take about 1-2 seconds per gear change, depending on the car and driver. The necessary steps are broken into small windows of time, and should be practiced individually without driving while first learning. The skill level of this task is a beginner to advanced driving technique and the driver should first know the basic techniques to driving a road course (i.e. driving line, braking technique, how to drive a manual transmission, etc.).

Warning: Race car driving is a dangerous sport and can result in serious injury or death if proper safety gear is not implemented. The technique shown in this instructable is purely meant for use on an off-highway racing facility. Obey all traffic laws and do not try this on the street. I am not responsible for any actions taken by those who read and use this instructable.

Necessary Equipment: Manual transmission car that is safe enough for track use, as well as proper driving safety gear.

*Note: The car used in this instructable is a 1995 Mazda Miata with a 5-speed manual transmission. The steps outlined are a process of downshifting from 4th gear to 3rd gear in this car, but the steps apply to any gear your car is currently in when you follow this instructable.

Step 1: Apply Brakes

While approaching a given corner on a track, take your right foot off the gas and rapidly apply the brakes to the desired pressure, while moving your right hand onto the shifter. 

-This should be as quick as possible, so time lost transferring from throttle to brakes is minimized.
-Your left hand should still be firmly placed on the steering wheel.
-The instructions here are given for a left hand drive car, so hand movements in a right hand drive car will be opposite of these instructions.
-Place your left foot onto the clutch pedal if it is resting off to the side so you are ready for the next step.

*Note: Avoid stomping on or mashing the brake pedal, as you do not want to lock the brakes of the car up. Locking the brakes will cause the car to become unresponsive, uncontrollable, and not stop quickly enough (i.e. lost time on track).

Step 2: Engage Clutch, Shift to Neutral

With your left foot, quickly press in the clutch and move the shifter from its current gear into neutral at the same time.

-When the car has been shifted into neutral, quickly release the clutch.
-This step is very quick, and is almost instantaneous with the following foot placement shown step 3.
-The brakes should still be applied throughout this step with your right foot.

Step 3: "Blipping" the Throttle

While keeping the ball of your foot on the brake pedal, roll the heel of your foot onto the gas pedal, pressing the gas quickly to 40-70% of full travel (blipping the throttle).

-The goal of this is to "match" the RPM needed in the next lower gear so that the rear of the car does not become unstable while downshifting. This is critical because under hard braking, the rear of the car becomes unloaded and "light", so rear instabilities (in a rear wheel drive car) from improper downshifting will have a larger effect than expected.
-Depending on the engine and throttle response of the car in use, the suggested 40-70% travel on the throttle blip is just that, a suggestion. It will take awhile to get a feel for how much is necessary and will take plenty of practice.
-After blipping the throttle, roll the heel of your foot back off of the gas, keeping the ball of your foot on the brake pedal, to ensure no more gas is applied until the next downshift (if another downshift is necessary).

*Note: If this step is skipped, it can cause significant damage to the car's transmission because it will become highly loaded and have to match the RPM needed for a lower gear on its own.

Step 4: Shift Into Gear and Release Clutch

Press the clutch in and quickly shift down one gear from the previous higher gear while smoothly and quickly releasing the clutch back out.

-This will take a lot of repetition and practice, as every car's drivetrain system is different and will require a different timing for the releasing of the clutch.
-The brakes should still be applied throughout this step with your right foot.

Step 5: Repeat Process, Drive Away

Repeat steps 2-4 while still braking for the corner if you need to shift down more than one gear.

-Continue to repeat these steps while braking until the desired gear is reached for corner exit of a given corner of a race track.
-Do not try and shift faster than your car can handle, as it will cause instabilities and tend to harm the transmission.
-When braking and downshifting is done and you are in the corner, roll your right foot off the brake pedal and onto the gas pedal to accelerate away from the corner when desired. Accelerate away, you are done!

Concluding Remarks: This technique, like any other in high performance driving, will take plenty of practice and time to learn. Once it is learned in the car while it is off and not running or moving, it can be practiced on track and perfected. After several repetitions, muscle memory will tend to take over and the process will become easier as time goes on. Remember to only do this with proper safety precautions taken first and only do this on a race track. Have fun, be safe, go fast!