Appropriate foot position - instructors?

[imissedtheapex]

This may sound a bit on the amateur side, but I was recently told that I need to ground my right heel on the floor to help me modulate my brake pedal better. At threshold braking, my right foot is off the ground and my leg is fairly close to full extension. The coach said that made my transition to the gas pedal more difficult and so I lose smoothness. All this is to say, are you supposed to ground that heel? Is that what all of you guys are doing?? Instructors is this the case?

[brkntrxn]

That is good advice. It helps to modulate how much pressure you give the brake pedal during threshold braking and the gas pedal during rev matching while shifting.

 

Said in another way, it allows you to use the finer motor skills in the leg and foot to do the action versus the brute muscles to hold your leg and foot in the air.

[imissedtheapex]

I totally understand the advice, but am not sure that this is commonplace among all drivers? I've been youtubing videos and it looks like alot of pros actually lift their foot off the ground. Only one that kept his heel down was Senna.

[countryboyshane]

I also had a bad habit of lifting my heel off the floor when I started. I have no idea why I did it because I don't do it daily driving. I naturally have more control of how I "roll on" the brake pedal when my heel is planted. Kind of like squeezing a tube of toothpaste with your foot in some similar way. For safety reasons, you don't want to have your knee locked upon full depression of the brake pedal. If you get in a crash you'll totally jack up your leg, but also if you boil the brake fluid it's almost impossible to pump the brakes with your tippy toes. All in all, I would correct your seating position and get in the habit of planting your right heel.

[DWNSHFT]

If your leg is close to full extension at maximum brake pressure you're too far from the pedal.

 

 

David

[imissedtheapex]

ok thanks guys. I will move the seat aka make a new danged bracket lol.

[imissedtheapex]

ok thanks guys. I will move the seat aka make a new danged bracket lol.

[turnbaugh]

Do you have harnesses?

 

If you are strapped in tight you can move your legs freely. Makes it easier. A

heel brace can help also especially if your are pushing the limits.

 

The less you flop around the better.

[hufflepuff]

I had to watch one of my own videos for an answer.

 

If you are heel-toe downshifting, your heel doesn't stay on the floor.

 

If you aren't heel-toe downshifting, you might consider left foot braking. When I'm left foot braking, it does appear my heel (mostly?) stays on the floor and pivots.