Left Foot Braking
Discussion
Trouble said:
get into go-karts if you want to improve left foot technique.
most karts have a single disc setup on the rear axle, so left foot needs to become super sensitive. Otherwise you try braking in a corner & by by baby, you'll be backwards quick sharp.
You're absolutely right. The same thought occured to me over the weekend. In a kart you have no choice but to left foot brake and hauling down from nearly 20,000rpm on the straight for the hairpin on our local bumpy track kind of helps you to develop the necessary sensitivity (especially when it's also wet)! I guess that's one more reason why personally I feel comfortable using my left foot in the car, even though others obviously don't.
Flat in Fifth said:
The only place I consider that left foot braking has in normal road driving is in low speed manoeuvring an automatic, especially in a confined space and even more so with a cold engine.
(It ought to be possible to build a torque converter with adjustable slip, but AFAIK nobody does...)
LFB is handy for drying your brakes out after going through a ford, too.
RobM77 said:
I've been using it this year at the first bends at Silverstone (Copse) and Snetterton (Riches). I just need a quick dab of the brake, and I find that it is better to do this with the left foot as it saves a bit of time.
Hi Rob
Not only does it save a bit of time, but is also saves the number of weight-shifts and also the harshness of them. Copse is a perfect example of where you can blend the throttle and brake to optimise the balance with no sudden transfer.
Are you instructing yet?
lakebum said:
It could be used for ballancing the car, especially front wheel drive ,when used in combination with throtle and steering.There are some schools in Europe and in Finland who teach especially left foot braking.
Yes, of course, we just distinguish between "braking with your left foot" and "left foot braking".
"Braking with your left foot" As I said earlier, just using your left foot to brake can save you time when on a race track going into a very fast corner.
Also, with "left foot braking" (Ari Vatenan style) you can use the brake at the same time as the throttle to create some interesting techniques. In a FWD car, this can be used to brake the rear wheels more than the front to keep understeer in check (very commonly used in FWD racing, though I find I can go quick enough without it if I'm careful). A very bizarre technique in a RWD car is to use it for spin correction.. a quick jab of the brake whilst on the power will wash the front of the car out and prevent a spin
I use left foot braking for many types of corner, along with heel and toe-ing, because it can make certain manoevres smoother, saving petrol and/or tyre wear, but also setting the car up better, aiding stability and generally being a "Good Thing"tm
My IAM observers have said that I should try and avoid it in the exam, in case I have an instructor who objects, but they have admitted that I use the technique appropriately and competently.
They don't seem as keen on progressive steering, however, favouring the full push-pull method. Think that is just a local preference as I have heard from various others about to sit IAM test who have been told it is okay.
My IAM observers have said that I should try and avoid it in the exam, in case I have an instructor who objects, but they have admitted that I use the technique appropriately and competently.
They don't seem as keen on progressive steering, however, favouring the full push-pull method. Think that is just a local preference as I have heard from various others about to sit IAM test who have been told it is okay.
Steering's a whole new topic of conversation I've had many an interesting discussion on that. Personally, I find fixed input steering (as I was taught for track driving - on track you always use it) at quarter to three more accurate and much safer for shallow bends, but use the push-pull methods taught to me by road instruictors for tighter corners.
I've had many an interesting discussion on that. Personally, I find fixed input steering (as I was taught for track driving - on track you always use it) at quarter to three more accurate and much safer for shallow bends, but use the push-pull methods taught to me by road instruictors for tighter corners.Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff