Adjusting Pedals for Heel & Toe

[EPIQTodd]

It's not just you - I also struggle a bit with it, and I think the pedals in a Boxster are spaced more for street than track.

I purchased these - http://www.epiqautosport.com/mode/products/prid/237/1123 - to go on my Rennline pedals, as you can't really adjust the pedals much, and I don't want to since it might affect the response if there is too much angle going into the weight you apply.

[wild1poet2]

Originally Posted by EPIQTodd

It's not just you - I also struggle a bit with it, and I think the pedals in a Boxster are spaced more for street than track.

I purchased these - http://www.epiqautosport.com/mode/products/prid/237/1123 - to go on my Rennline pedals, as you can't really adjust the pedals much, and I don't want to since it might affect the response if there is too much angle going into the weight you apply.

Thanks Todd! Does this just make the pedal wider??

[insite]

that looks like a pretty slick product! i always had problems with pedals like Vostek because my heal / toe method isn't so much heal and toe as toe and toe. the Vosteks made it too easy for me to accidentally blip the gas during panic stops. looks like i could just use the top pedal extension but leave the bottom uninstalled.

on another note, i did upgrade my pedals from stock to the 'Ebay Special,' which i LOVE. much easier for heel / toe vs. stock. they look like this:

[Rondog]

Would anyone be willing to give me a quick education on heel/toe technique?
I get the basic idea, but not clear when and how it is used...


still just a miserable newbie...

RD

[wild1poet2]

it's just the technique of blipping the throttle to match revs when downshifting while braking. Saves stress on drive train and smooths the downshift, keeps the car balanced by not transferring the car's weight around.

I keep my heel planted at its usual spot near the base of the throttle and use the ball of my foot to brake. When I need to blip the thorttle I roll the outside edge of my right foot onto the throttle pedal to match the revs(keeping brake pressure).

Left foot of course operates the clutch.

Some guys have variants of this but its essentially the same idea.

It's actually easier to do at higher speeds and revs than when you're just trolling along.

The track guys on this forum can probably add to this but basically that's it.

[EPIQTodd]

Originally Posted by wild1poet2

it's just the technique of blipping the throttle to match revs when downshifting while braking. Saves stress on drive train and smooths the downshift, keeps the car balanced by not transferring the car's weight around.

I keep my heel planted at its usual spot near the base of the throttle and use the ball of my foot to brake. When I need to blip the thorttle I roll the outside edge of my right foot onto the throttle pedal to match the revs(keeping brake pressure).

Left foot of course operates the clutch.

Some guys have variants of this but its essentially the same idea.

It's actually easier to do at higher speeds and revs than when you're just trolling along.

The track guys on this forum can probably add to this but basically that's it.

This is pretty much correct on the street, but at the track, if you keep your foot resting with the ball of your foot by the throttle, you'll be off track on the first turn. Most tracks require significant braking (like today I spent at Buttonwillow - a hard track on brakes - see my new post on it, regarding sport cups and camber...) and you need to be ON the brake with full force. With your foot squarely on the brake pedal, you rotate your heel outward (this is the classic 'heel and toe' method, actually) to blip the throttle. This is why pedals are designed with that extra heel extension, but as we've talked about here, it's not enough for many of us.

You have to go beyond the revs needed and you should, if done right, match the revs once you release the clutch with what the new gear is, so you get no lurching and the car stays grounded. Takes a lot of practice, but is absolutely necessary.

[wild1poet2]

Todd, I actually started using the outside edge of my heel this morning with better feel. I was thinking that with the pedal pivoting off the floor this might work well and it did.

[eslai]

Originally Posted by EPIQTodd

This is pretty much correct on the street, but at the track, if you keep your foot resting with the ball of your foot by the throttle, you'll be off track on the first turn. Most tracks require significant braking (like today I spent at Buttonwillow - a hard track on brakes - see my new post on it, regarding sport cups and camber...) and you need to be ON the brake with full force. With your foot squarely on the brake pedal, you rotate your heel outward (this is the classic 'heel and toe' method, actually) to blip the throttle. This is why pedals are designed with that extra heel extension, but as we've talked about here, it's not enough for many of us.

Well, a heel extension does absolutely no good on a porsche since the pedals are hinged at the bottom, not the top.

With that in mind, I've never had any problems "heel-toeing" on the Boxster The pedals are perfect for me.

Also, on the track i still use the side of my foot more than the ball for heel toeing, it's all a matter of personal preference I believe. You don't really need to "stand" on the brakes these days what with vaccuum-assist and all.

[tonycarreon]

Originally Posted by Rondog

Would anyone be willing to give me a quick education on heel/toe technique?
I get the basic idea, but not clear when and how it is used...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPj9XXW25GA

[jmatta]

I find the pedals are very well placed in my Box S. I rarely track it, but have driven countless Boxster and 911 variants (as an instructor) and really dislike those pedal extensions. When driving on the track, you apply greater pressure on the brake pedal than street driving, so the pedal is pressed further downward (in response to the pedal appears to be too high). I do track my '73 911 (no power assist) and find the ball of my right foot provides more than enough pressure to brake, while rolling my foot over to blip the throttle. As mentioned earlier, the actual "heel" method is not too effective in a bottom hinge application. YouTube has some excellent videos showing the roll technique...practice on the street becomes second nature on the track.

The Boxster is even easier with the power assist. BTW, get some real driving shoes; it makes a big difference. I once instructed a fella who wanted to go on the track in what equated to hiking shoes...I sent him shopping first.

[Orient Red]

I have small narrow feet, so for me, I had to approach an optimal pedal setup in two stages:

1) Get a brake pedal which is longer (top to bottom) than the stock pedal. (Most aftermarket metal pedals have larger surfaces than stock). Position the new pedal cover so that I can easily brake with the ball of my foot (the one attached to the big toe) without having to slide my foot up the pedal from its resting position. For my foot size, this meant mounting the new pedals slightly low on the stock bases.

2) Since I "heel and toe" with the right edge of my foot, got a gas pedal cover that is wider near the top of the left side. Played around with the lateral position so that when I brake with the ball of my right foot, all I have to do is roll my right foot slightly to the right to blip the gas pedal (but not so close that you hit the gas when all you wanted to do was brake). Since I used Vostek Competition pedals, it also had an extension at the bottom of the pedal, but I never use it. Also, since the Vostek gas pedal is kind of thick, it effectively brought the gas pedal into the same plane as the brake pedal when the brake pedal is fully depressed.

It took me 2 1/2 sets of pedals to get it right, but the results are worth it. You really need to tailor it to your feet and driving style.