Here is another site on downshifting:
http://www.turnfast.com/tech_driving..._heeltoe.lasso

That site also has some other good articles.

See ya,
JS

 

I havent gotten my mini yet....but i am in the racing business, and downshifting isnt bad for your clutch, but doesnt do any good either. If you are paranoid about ruining your clutch, use the heel-toe method. :smile: :smile:

Dan

 

Nice article. I'd also like to offer up the article that I used when I wanted to learn about double-clutching, rev-matching, etc...

http://www.happytogether.com/318ti/notebook/shifting/

This guy gets into some of the technical stuff, like why you should blip the throttle in neutral (with the clutch pedal UP, BTW) .

 

Ok, Ok, I was thinking that I knew how to drive my 911 and my MCS, but now I
am not sure.

_________________
DMonk - MCS w/ Prem/Sport/Cold Tint 35%
BMP Racing Filter/Strut Tower Brace Polished/Whalen Shift ****
Stubby silver Antenna/Kick *** wheels-n-Tires(See http://www.rspeed.net)

 

The compression on our cars is not really sufficent to slow the car tremendously so you're wearing out transmission parts for generally little benefit. The good news here is that when driving at high speeds at the track your downshift into your exit gear you will be less likely to unsettle the balance of the car. Smooth is good. The bad news is that if/when you overheat your brakes downshifting is a less useful/effective temporary braking alternative than in other cars with higher compression engines.

Save the hard "deceleration" downshifts for other cars or for emergency situations only. Rev match when you have to do it.

Regards,
Jim

 

I think the best part of the article I posted is the rev-matching exercise he describes... basically, find and empty road and practice shifting between various gears while keeping your speed constant. Really helps to smooth out your shifts, particularly the downshift where you skip a gear (ie. 5th to 3rd).

Have fun!

 

Always look ahead-brake shortly before you come to the turn then do your downshifting & matching rev's to power through the turns-the MINI's tranny is very smooth, much different than other sports car I have driven but just as much fun.
Went to Phil Wicks Driving Academy last week. Well worth the $ & the effort.
Good luck,
Lois

_________________

 

One thing that's always puzzled me is that people often talk about double clutching and to me it seems like that it would take so much longer to accomplish a shift??? Although, I can really see how it would probably help a lot when trying to shift down 2 gears from 5th or 6th...coming through the gate, it often takes me a longer time to find the gear I'm going for. Trying quickly do a U pattern coming through that wide throw to the right where 5th & 6th reside is tough.

Also heel-and-toeing in the MINI seems like it would be quite a stretch...unless my size 10.5(U.S.) shoes are just too small? I remember when I first got my MCS, I was eager to try it out and then quickly realized it seemed like the brake was nowhere near being close enough to the gas pedal...after one attempt and realizing I couldn't find/reach the gas, I haven't tried since.