Heel and Toe
Author
Discussion

RichV12

Original Poster:

102 posts

181 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2012
quotequote all
Where and who can I go to to learn how to heel and toe? Any suggestions or do you think some track tutorial could also show me? Be useful for my track car I'm having built and the odd 'blipping' of the throttle on downshifts in the Aston.
Oh - live in the West Country near Castle Combe.
Thanks

Luckyluciano

2,398 posts

241 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2012
quotequote all
Hi Rich, I've used Anthony a few times and he really has improved my driving techniques and is a very good teacher.

http://www.iwannagofaster.com/

yeti

10,524 posts

299 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2012
quotequote all
It's honestly not that hard as long as the pedals are in the right place. If you're struggling to learn then it suggests they aren't...

Brake hard with toe, roll foot slightly and flick throttle with side of foot (not heel!). Biggest problem with an Aston is that the engine doesn't rev fast enough... My new lightened flywheel will help that wink

johng39

3,059 posts

184 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2012
quotequote all
yeti said:
Biggest problem with an Aston is that the engine doesn't rev fast enough... My new lightened flywheel will help that wink
Unless you have a V12V and a sport button wink


Simon T

2,157 posts

297 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2012
quotequote all
Rich, I am testing at Combe on Thursday afternoon, why not drop by and have a chat?

Simon

Www.tillingmotorsport.com


RichV12

Original Poster:

102 posts

181 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2012
quotequote all
I have no idea where to start......

Simon, much appreciated. I'll come and find you although thu pm a little bit of a rush but even if you could explain the basics.... I'll be in the tango Aston.... Can't miss it.
Thanks again.

MichaelV8V

650 posts

285 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
The Vantage is the first car I haven't been able to heel and toe in, the pedals are just in the wrong position for my size 11s.

Yeti, did I see that you're getting something done with your pedals as part of the upgrade from BR?

C997

616 posts

190 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
yeti said:
Biggest problem with an Aston is that the engine doesn't rev fast enough... My new lightened flywheel will help that wink
Dunno about the rest of the model range but have you heard a V8V with sportshift? It's the one and only good thing about the Sportshift gearbox!

yeti

10,524 posts

299 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
Doesn't really help with heel and toeing does it..? wink

v8woollie

4,363 posts

169 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
You can pretend you did it and that you get it right every time smile

yeti

10,524 posts

299 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
MichaelV8V said:
Yeti, did I see that you're getting something done with your pedals as part of the upgrade from BR?
Yes, Bamford Rose offer a pedal modification from the GT racing cars though what this intails excatly I am not clear on! I am guessing moving the pedals or their stalks to be better positioned.

Might be a question for their thread..?

Captain Beaky

1,389 posts

308 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
I learnt to heel and toe from Don Palmer, I've done about 5 days with him over the years. Always a hoot and I'll probably do more. smile

For me the pedal position in the Vantage make it difficult to reliably heel and toe, I'd certainly be interested in a modification to sort that out.

Rex Racer

340 posts

178 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
Posted this in the Bamford thread also:

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/22...

Captain Beaky

1,389 posts

308 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
Rex Racer said:
Posted this in the Bamford thread also:

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/22...
Thanks for that, I've dropped them a line to check the costs.

Diablos-666

2,786 posts

202 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
RichV12 said:
I have no idea where to start......

Simon, much appreciated. I'll come and find you although thu pm a little bit of a rush but even if you could explain the basics.... I'll be in the tango Aston.... Can't miss it.
Thanks again.
I don't own an Aston but I've been giving heel and toe a try for the last few months. I finally done it properly the other day and was really chuffed smile

I just practised on the road when there were no other cars around. Coming up to an empty round about brake, engage clutch, then feel for the throttle with the side of your foot. You soon hear the revs shoot up, select 2nd, let the clutch go.

Watch some clips on you tube, that's all you need really.

Practise makes perfect. Good Luck.

yeti

10,524 posts

299 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
I can do it in the DB9, but only when REALLY pushing on or on track, need to be on the brajke very hard.

Do it every change in the 911. That's Porsche for you!

/Also do it in the diesel Land Rover!

peterr96

2,226 posts

199 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
yeti said:
Do it every change in the 911. That's Porsche for you!
Must be bloody lumpy on the up-shifts! biglaugh

George H

14,714 posts

188 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
peterr96 said:
Must be bloody lumpy on the up-shifts! biglaugh
hehe

yeti

10,524 posts

299 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
I do occasionally match revs for the upshift as well. No benefit but I like the noise smile

mark-l

88 posts

205 months

Wednesday 4th April 2012
quotequote all
I find my V8V quite easy to heel and toe after a little practise.

IMO there are a few parts to getting it right.

1. Keep the same pressure on the brake pedal throughout the entire process so as not to unsettle the car.
2. Get the timing just right otherwise you over or under rev and it's a waste of time.
3. Learn to get the revs matched right otherwise it's pointless doing.
4. Make sure you have the right type of footwear. It's v hard with big boots.

When I first started I kept putting too much pressure on the brakes and nearly went through the windscreen!!
Now I find when jumping between cars I struggle with point 2 - The Aston doesn't rev as freely as my Lotus so you have to blip a little earlier than I'm used to.

If you haven't heel and toe'd before you could try sitting on your driveway and put your foot on the brake and just practise moving your foot over and blipping the throttle. Once you've got the hang of that try it on a quiet bit of straight road or an empty track. (I wouldn't try it coming up to junctions as if you get it wrong and not stop in time)

Also don't get to hung up on making sure it's your heel doing the throttle. I find it easiest to use the side of my foot in most cars.

As others have suggested it's definitely worth getting professional tuition to get the basics, then its just a fair amount of practise.


Disclaimer: These are only my opinions and shouldn't be treated as advice. Only do if you are confident and don't do on busy roads.