left foot braking!

[dirkpitt]

probably done to death i know....but, im a bit of a novice to left foot braking and would like to know, if any of the elise massive use the technique and have any opinions on when to use and not .....for example Knock hill, does anyone use it there, lets say clark's corner?? which doesn’t need a gear change??

discuss

[Shug]

Never used it, but I know plenty do. Not so much at KH, but I guess Clarks would be a good opportunity if you can't hook 4th after the chicane. More useful on larger, more flowing tracks methinks.

[Scotty C]

I left foot brake far to much

I use it a lot to balance the car, as well as braking. I also cover the brake with my left foot just in case the car steps to far out of line.


@ Knockhill i use it at the bottom of duffus if required (sometimes carrying too much speed) and just before the chicane to scrub off some speed. It helps keep the car balanced a lot more then lifting off.

it can also put of other drivers if there following you only when racing mind.

Just ask Sanjoy if it works at high speed going down craner curves

[Sanjøy]

Just ask Sanjoy if it works at high speed going down craner curves

Still my biggest moment in any car.

I left foot brake every day, in the panzer.

[dirkpitt]

Just ask Sanjoy if it works at high speed going down craner curves

Still my biggest moment in any car.

I left foot brake every day, in the panzer.

what your story on that sanjoy, inquiring minds want to know ....also, one of the main reasons for the topic is that i was watching some footage from the lotus lads here.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgvFofitxiQ

which shows alot of left foot braking and clutch feed style too........i noticed on the clip he flicks off across and lets the clutch pedal slid up the foot ball, if you know what i mean

[CubanGav]

I once watched Alan left foot brake, shimmie his right foot onto it while maintaining pressure then immediately down shift with heel and toe. His feet were a bit of a blur but it looked very impressive. I tried it once and just stood on my own foot.....

[Dominic]

If you are going to give it a go, find a quiet bit of road, and make sure no one is behind you on your first few attempts. Start of trying it at slow speeds in a straight line; your left foot will require to be re-trained as to how much pressure and travel is required for the brake in comparison to the clutch. It's a technique I use very little.

[Shug]

If you are going to give it a go, find a quiet bit of road, and make sure no one is behind you on your first few attempts. Start of trying it at slow speeds in a straight line; your left foot will require to be re-trained as to how much pressure and travel is required for the brake in comparison to the clutch. It's a technique I use very little.

Aye - first time you try, your foot thinks it's using the clutch and head/wheel interface ensues

[Andy G]

used to use it a bit, but rarely nowadays, although sometimes in the autos.

The only useful thing the AMp3 Smart car taught me

[mikeyb13]

I also dab the brake with the left just before the chicaine at Knockhill.
Find it a lot easier in the S1 than the Exige due to the lack of Servo.

[dirkpitt]

to be fair i have given it a sneaky go...the first couple of time were interesting but, i have learnt to be more progressive with the pressure.......back to a conversation with doyle( my tame ex BTCC gym instructor ) the other day and he suggested picking up marbles with your left foot ......i don’t know if he was having me on but, sounds interesting.....

i remember kenny saying that you have to watch late breaking into corners then back onto the throttle as the sudden force shift will cause the car to spin ...so, im guessing that left foot braking will help prevent this?

also......from watching some more footage for the elise trophy boys i noticed that he doesn’t heel and toe so much in the dry....but, in the wet, he does?......im guessing also that this helps stop the rears locking in the wet??

[Shug]

Mate, it's really, really tough to learn this stuff by looking at vids and reading - not helped by the fact that everyone has their own take. If you're serious about competing and concentrating on your skillz, you'd gain more out of a day at carlimits (or any track driver training, really) than countless hours typing or watching vids

The key to all track driving is to imagine the weight of the car, go back to first principles and the traction circle and then figure out how certain control actions affect the balance of the car and it's likely responses to it - it means it takes root in your subconscious much better and you can use it without thinking. Far more in-depth than "I should do X into this corner because Y says so" - it's about learning why the car does what it does and using physics to make it do what you want.

LFB is one of those finesse things that you learn when the basics of properly understanding the weight management of driving the car is solid in your mind - just confuses things otherwise IMO. Rubens Barrichello never left foot braked and he managed to do okay...

[kenny]

i remember kenny saying that you have to watch late breaking into corners then back onto the throttle as the sudden force shift will cause the car to spin

I was talking about trail braking and Walshy days where turning in and braking at the same time can get you round the corner quicker but will also cause you to spin mid corner if you suddenly come off the brakes altogether.

To be honest mate, I would forget about a lot of discussion on the theory and get a few trackdays and/or a Walshy day done. You will learn more in one afternoons tuition than a year talking about it on the forum.

[kenny]

lol, great minds thinking alike there Shuggles

[Dominic]

lol, great minds thinking alike there Shuggles

I would be concerned if my mind worked along the same lines as Shug's