Planet 9

**4by4** · #1 07-02-2009, 05:41 AM

This is an interesting and very lucky shot.
This is a great example of what happens when you DONT Heel and Toe!
The Engine air intake can suck in tyre smoke. Here is a photos to show such. For the close up photo I tried to manipulate it to better see the smoke trail into the intake, but nope. Talk about recycling.

Photos are unmodified originals.

grant · #2 07-02-2009, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by 4by4

This is an interesting and very lucky shot.
This is a great example of what happens when you DONT Heel and Toe!
The Engine air intake can suck in tyre smoke. Here is a photos to show such. For the close up photo I tried to manipulate it to better see the smoke trail into the intake, but nope. Talk about recycling.

Photos are unmodified originals.

That is an interesting shot - I guess you'd need to change the air filter pretty frequently if you autocross/track without rev-matched downshifts.

Of course, air filters are the cheapest wear item to be affected by poor downshift technique which would include clutch, tires, axles, engine/tranny mounts. And if you really are clumbsy downshifting into a corner, you could lose the entire car.

Heel/Toe is a technique that far too few people understand (and even fewer have mastered). It took me several years to get it right...

**K-Man S** · #3 07-02-2009, 10:40 AM

Interesting shot indeed! Thanks for sharing.

CaymanSP · #4 07-02-2009, 05:24 PM

I was able to master H&T quite quickly in my previous car (Mazda RX8) however I’m finding it a little bit trickier in the Cayman to get the revs perfect but I'm almost there.

I got a free track day with my last car, I went with a friend who didn’t H&T and the back end was a bit squirmy every time he downshifted, very valuable technique, especially on the track.

**4by4** · #5 07-02-2009, 07:21 PM

On the track its easy to H&T as you have loads of time to prepare but sometimes on AX it may be difficult to do depending on various situations. This was one time I did not do a H&T at this bend and it smoked and the club president photographed it.

So that explains the strange black powdery build up you get on the air filter. Tyre smoke and brake dust.

grant · #6 07-04-2009, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by 4by4

So that explains the strange black powdery build up you get on the air filter. Tyre smoke and brake dust.

Not sure if the Cayman is the same, but my 993 also had a hose that routed the dust from the clutch back to the air filter...

**consolidated** · #7 07-04-2009, 11:58 AM

It's tough in the Cayman because the brake pedal travel changes thru a session. First few laps I heel and toe with the side of the sole, then it's the side of the shoe, then it moves towards the heel as the pedal goes to the floor. Very annoying, confidence shaking and makes it hard to push the car as a session progresses.

**4by4** · #8 07-06-2009, 05:11 AM

Originally Posted by consolidated

It's tough in the Cayman because the brake pedal travel changes thru a session. First few laps I heel and toe with the side of the sole, then it's the side of the shoe, then it moves towards the heel as the pedal goes to the floor. Very annoying, confidence shaking and makes it hard to push the car as a session progresses.

That's odd, I don't have that problem. Maybe its getting too hot.

Schwabe · #9 07-06-2009, 07:30 AM

I think that the chances to actually inhale the smoke are slim to none. The air intake is still in front of the tire, car is still moving and air is going across the intake blowing the smoke back. It is possible but I believe slim. locking up wheels because of shifting or braking just needs some more practice. Certainly not a reason to not H&T but to get better at it or we could all drive automatics, line up in a nice caravan and travel at a safe speed

**fondueski** · #10 07-06-2009, 07:57 PM

Very interesting shot indeed. I'd say the best reasons to rev match is it's a lot easier on the drivetrain and it greatly contributes to car control. I've seen more than one spin initiated by a poor downshift as someone entered a turn.