Question for the racers etc amongst you, prompted from the other rwd thread.

When I'm on circuit, I do what could be termed a "little" trailbraking. i.e. I turn in under partial-braking so the fronts are loaded. But truth be told, I'm probably entering the corner no faster than I would in the "brake, shift then turn" method, whereas the whole point of trailbraking (apart from to help balance/turn in) is that you can have a higher entry speed and ultimately faster lap times and would therefore be braking much later into the corner.

It's probably partially cahonas size that's stopping me trailbraking further into corners, but one thing I'd like to clarify - how do you go about handling downshifting (say, in BEC with sequential box) whilst trailbraking?

I know that downshifting later and at lower rpm is generally better since there's less of a change in rpm so less of an upset, but if trailbraking deep into a corner, that technically means that you'll be downshifting whilst in the first part of the corner.

Is that right? Is it just a case of getting used to not upsetting the balance? Or does the fact that you're on the brakes whilst cornering, so weight is forward mean that downshifting in the corner is less unsettling than it otherwise would be?

Experienced thought please....

Theoretically you should be changing down the box with the clutch pressed. When you get to the appropriate gear, by heal and toe, blip the throttle, letting the clutch in when the revs match your road speed. That way there are no shocks to the rear wheels and you seamlessly hit the right gear just before turning in whilst gradually letting the brake off as you turn the wheel. Then you apply a bit of throttle to maintain your speed as you approach the apex, which you hit perfectly and you're already on the gas so squeeze it on enough to give the perfect line on the exit of the bend.

You're a better man than me if you can do it though. Its all I can do to stop myself braking early "just in case"

right foot to blip the throttle to chance down, left foot to brake?

I change gear with no clutch on my bike, down shifts blip throttle, just as i start to close the throttle tap the gear lever and it will change down perfectly smooth, im usually braking while doing this, much easier than holding correct revs with while using clutch.

In my car RWD saloon, i sometimes brake left foot, match revs with right foot and change gear no clutch. Only usually when 4th to 3rd, as its quite difficult, would do it all the time if i had enough tallent.

About trail braking, sometimes its faster sometimes not, the point in the corner you are fully off the brakes will depend on the corner, they are all different. Get in the right gear before you turn in. Its important to be smooth and gradual. you can start to open the throttle before you are fully off the brakes to maintain your speed through the corner.

I would forget about trying to trail brake, it will probably be a natural progression when you start to brake later.

Paul

[Edited on 29/5/09 by Cousin Cleotis]