[rightaway]

I'm looking to become a better driver and try road course/track days. I'm mid 30's and I have been driving stick for 15plus years. I have been watching youtube video on how to heel toe shift. I just cant seem to get it down. I have a 2009 328i 6mt. I want to become a better over all driver and enjoy the car.

[sirantsE90]

Do you already rev- match in downshifts? The pedal spacing makes it a little harder in our cars. If your in PA go to see Dennis at Bertil Roose. Great fun in a formula 2000 car and a good group of guys with a lot of experience

Edit: remove your CDV If you haven't already done so.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by rightaway

I'm looking to become a better driver and try road course/track days. I'm mid 30's and I have been driving stick for 15plus years. I have been watching youtube video on how to heel toe shift. I just cant seem to get it down. I have a 2009 328i 6mt. I want to become a better over all driver and enjoy the car.

Hate to say it but it's just practice practice practice. But ^^ pointed, if you're already rev-matching for downshifts, think of HT as nothing more than adding a brake before rev-matching, but the rev-matching will take place quicker and the blip on throttle should be harder. Practice on slower corners, and heel toe earlier. As you get better, you can practice on higher speeds or heel toe later.

[rightaway]

no I am not rev matching. not sure exactly how to. that why I was looking for a school for rookies. I have taken out the cdv. I didn't feel a difference

[rightaway]

is there any good channels on YouTube on how to rev match and heel toe. all the videos I found are some young kid and it really doesn't show you much

[StealYourFace]

Originally Posted by rightaway

is there any good channels on YouTube on how to rev match and heel toe. all the videos I found are some young kid and it really doesn't show you much

[rightaway]

great video. I need one with more explaining on what and why he is doing it. like in a straight away, he would tap the brakes. im not sure why. and I didn't see rev matching dot shifting or maybe I did but not sure.

[StealYourFace]

Originally Posted by rightaway

great video. I need one with more explaining on what and why he is doing it. like in a straight away, he would tap the brakes. im not sure why. and I didn't see rev matching dot shifting or maybe I did but not sure.

I assume he taps the brakes (left foot) before braking to add pressure/ vacuum or something like that. Never seen it before, not sure it's needed but if it makes him comfortable and doesn't detract from safety, why not.

He is definitely rev matching.

I do it on the street all the time to the point that it is habit now. Reduces drivetrain wear, maintains balance, and what the hell, it sounds cool

[TSM330i]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

It's a good video to watch and understand what is being done when someone is "heel-toeing."
Personally, my feet are too big to use my heel, so I need to use the ball of my foot for braking and blipping the throttle. I use the ball under my big toe for the brake and then roll my foot over to push in the throttle with the area of my foot under my small toe.
Practice at home, in the driveway, with the car off and on. It'll allow you to feel the pedals and you can consctrate on how to twist your ankle and roll your foot over to press the throttle down. Remember, after you blip the throttle, downshift quickly and get the clutch out quickly or the revs will drop too much and it won't be smooth.
It will feel very awkward at first, but then it will become second nature. It's also much easier to do it on the track since you're using more braking force. Pushing the brake HARD will even the pedal height to the throttle and will allow you to more easily blip the throttle. Very rarely do you ever have to do that on the street so it takes a bit more finesse.

Where are you located in PA? We have meets at KOP every so often. There are usually a number of people who attend that can heel-toe and can walk you through it.
A driver school may or may not teach you how to heel-toe.
When I went to Bertil Roos for my competition license, there were a few guys who couldn't heel-toe the cars so they were left WAY behind during the races.

[StealYourFace]

Originally Posted by TSM330i

It's a good video to watch and understand what is being done when someone is "heel-toeing."
Personally, my feet are too big to use my heel, so I need to use the ball of my foot for braking and blipping the throttle. I use the ball under my big toe for the brake and then roll my foot over to push in the throttle with the area of my foot under my small toe.
Practice at home, in the driveway, with the car off and on. It'll allow you to feel the pedals and you can consctrate on how to twist your ankle and roll your foot over to press the throttle down. Remember, after you blip the throttle, downshift quickly and get the clutch out quickly or the revs will drop too much and it won't be smooth.
It will feel very awkward at first, but then it will become second nature. It's also much easier to do it on the track since you're using more braking force. Pushing the brake HARD will even the pedal height to the throttle and will allow you to more easily blip the throttle. Very rarely do you ever have to do that on the street so it takes a bit more finesse.

Where are you located in PA? We have meets at KOP every so often. There are usually a number of people who attend that can heel-toe and can walk you through it.
A driver school may or may not teach you how to heel-toe.
When I went to Bertil Roos for my competition license, there were a few guys who couldn't heel-toe the cars so they were left WAY behind during the races.

I do the same, my 11.5 size boats need to do the roll over same as you. Plus my dexterity sucks from a combination of rheumatoid arthritis setting in (a bitch at 35 yr old) and years of running 20-25 miles a week.

But practicing around town, and soon it becomes second nature, like learning to drive a stick in the first place.

[rightaway]

I'm up in the Lehigh valley. I'm looking for anybody that can teach this old dog new tricks and tips on driving

[TSM330i]

Originally Posted by rightaway

I'm up in the Lehigh valley. I'm looking for anybody that can teach this old dog new tricks and tips on driving

I'm originally from Whitehall!

I just learned how to do this really well about 6 years ago. I have size 12 also so I can't use my heel at all. I was 39 when I first learned, so I'm sure you can too!

You should check out the KOP meet some time. It's just a quick run down the NE Extension and then a short shoot over to KOP.
Keep an eye on this thread for the next meet:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...677346&page=30

[sirantsE90]

sorry that meme thread made me do it...



TSM330i (Rob) is very knowledgeable and knows his way around a track. I was able to watch him run this past weekend. From what i could hear nice late braking/down shifts and not smashing the throttle before the apex like some of those miata's.

Also the Gruppe Titan (kop) guys are all awesome and friendly. I would also recommend meeting up with them for some advice.

[rightaway]

Originally Posted by TSM330i

I'm originally from Whitehall!

I just learned how to do this really well about 6 years ago. I have size 12 also so I can't use my heel at all. I was 39 when I first learned, so I'm sure you can too!

You should check out the KOP meet some time. It's just a quick run down the NE Extension and then a short shoot over to KOP.
Keep an eye on this thread for the next meet:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...677346&page=30

when in the next KOP meeting? that thread is long and didn't see when the next one was

[CJ421]

Originally Posted by rightaway

when in the next KOP meeting? that thread is long and didn't see when the next one was

I just bumped the thread and we'll see if anyone wants to go next Wednesday, May 7.

[rightaway]

ok I saw it. is it just a meet.is there any meets where you get track time?

[CJ421]

Originally Posted by rightaway

ok I saw it. is it just a meet.is there any meets where you get track time?

Yes - you would attend a driving event (or HPDE; high performance driving school) to get track time. Check www.bmwcca.org - join your local chapter and then attend one of the events. Locally it'd be either Delaware Valley or New Jersey chapter.

[rightaway]

thanks I'll look into the NJ chapter. any body here in there?

[TSM330i]

Originally Posted by rightaway

thanks I'll look into the NJ chapter. any body here in there?

There are a ton of guys that come to the KOP meets that are members. I'm a member of DelVal since I'm in PA close to Philly. I don't know if they have a Lehigh Valley chapter, but if they don't, the DelVal would probably be the closest for you.
Join here first:
https://www.bmwcca.org/

Check out this thread for HPDE events.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691681
You'll have an instructor with you, in your car, teaching you how to get around the track quickly and safely.

Many of the members that attend these will attend the KOP meets as well. Don't wait to sign-up for an event that you're interested in. They fill up pretty quickly and you'll be wait listed. You can get plenty of tips prior to attending your first meet, plus you'll have the added bonus of actually knowing people when you get there. My first event I knew no one, but had an absolute blast!

[rightaway]

Originally Posted by TSM330i

There are a ton of guys that come to the KOP meets that are members. I'm a member of DelVal since I'm in PA close to Philly. I don't know if they have a Lehigh Valley chapter, but if they don't, the DelVal would probably be the closest for you.
Join here first:
https://www.bmwcca.org/

Check out this thread for HPDE events.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691681
You'll have an instructor with you, in your car, teaching you how to get around the track quickly and safely.

Many of the members that attend these will attend the KOP meets as well. Don't wait to sign-up for an event that you're interested in. They fill up pretty quickly and you'll be wait listed. You can get plenty of tips prior to attending your first meet, plus you'll have the added bonus of actually knowing people when you get there. My first event I knew no one, but had an absolute blast!

thank you for the info. have you heard good things and the HPDE events?