Double Clutching?

[Philip]

A 2/11/09 Road and Track article states "if you overlap throttle and brake even the slightest, power is temporarily cut - a real problem for left-foot breakers." Does this mean it can't be double-clutched (blipping the throttle while braking)?

[Europrice]

No you can still blip the throttle while braking. Throttle cut is not as instantaneous as they make it seem. It takes several seconds for the throttle cut to happen when you left foot brake.

[Rit2]

I assume you have not discovered 'launch control' yet

[rmicroys]

It does not affect the ability to heel and toe downshift. If many people actually still double clutch, then that's some busy feet. There are no racers I know that double clutch, unless it's to get in to first gear for a really slow hairpin.

The people that it would affect the most would be those that like to trail brake in to a corner when one already starts to balance the car with the throttle coming out of the braking zone after turn in, yet keep the left foot on the brake to continue to assist in rotating the car. Then after you have your feet on both pedals for 3 or 4 seconds I believe, then the computer cuts the throttle.

[ignomini]

Just to be clear, double clutching and heel & toe are slightly different techniques. The former relates to throttle control only, the latter is a combination of throttle and brake.

[rmicroys]

Just to be clear, double clutching and heel & toe are slightly different techniques. The former relates to throttle control only, the latter is a combination of throttle and brake.

Though, double clutching, while braking, still requires throttle input while on the brakes. Again remember the quote from the article specifically singles out left foot braking. That is only used AFTER turn in, as you should be done ALL your downshifts by this point. As I said, this is really only an issue for people who trailbrake in to corners with their left foot - also - if you are braking all the way through the braking zones with your left foot - you cannot clutch. You then need to rev match perfectly with the right foot to down shift. Though it REALLY helps to have a full racing dog box to do this...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMEqOGejlrw&feature=related"]YouTube - ‪WRC - Colin McRae - Left-Foot Braking Lessons‬‏[/ame]

[Philip]

I guess I should have asked if one can "heel and toe" without a computer triggered power cut?

[Herbert]

I never use the left foot for braking, which would be a hazardous habit. As Europrice said, there is no problem whatsoever with brake and blip, which is standard operating procedure for me.

[KfabR8]

My RS6 will allow both throttle and brake for what seems to be about 1.5-2 seconds. After it sees a signal from both pedals at the same time for said period, it shuts down the throttle side. I would guess it's similar w/the R8. On track, this wouldn't be an issue what so ever.

side note - my off road cars (desert and short course/stadium) are set up for left foot only braking - you can't even reach the brake with the right foot in my short course/stadium car - steering column sits between the two. I'm fine driving with two feet in the dirt, but the moment I try to use my left foot while on asphalt, I'm completely out of shape. Weird how that works.

[rmicroys]

I guess I should have asked if one can "heel and toe" without a computer triggered power cut?

Heel and toe downshifting while braking works just fine. I haven't done the timing on it, but I would say the fuel cut only happens 3s after both pedals are simultaneously held down for that long.

I'm fine driving with two feet in the dirt, but the moment I try to use my left foot while on asphalt, I'm completely out of shape. Weird how that works.

It takes a lot of practice and the 'right' car for asphalt left foot braking. The only guys I know that do it are pro racers in cars with dogboxes, or F1 type gearboxes. Interestingly Alan McNish right foot braked in the Audi R8 racecar, but he did left foot brake in his Toyota F1 car.