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PEShane van Gisbergen is widely admired for his mastery of the heel toe downshifting technique, a skill that sets him apart in modern touring car and endurance racing. Heel toe, once considered a staple of racing before the rise of advanced electronics, requires precision and timing as the driver uses the brake and throttle simultaneously while downshifting. Van Gisbergen’s execution of the method has become something of a trademark, allowing him to maintain balance under braking while keeping the car stable and ready to carry speed through corners. It is a driving style that connects today’s racing to an earlier era of pure mechanical control.
The technique involves applying the brake with the ball of the foot while rotating the heel or edge to blip the throttle, ensuring engine speed matches the lower gear before the clutch is re-engaged. Done correctly, it prevents rear wheel lockup, reduces drivetrain shock, and preserves momentum into a corner. While many modern cars use automated rev matching systems, van Gisbergen’s insistence on mastering heel toe highlights both his mechanical sympathy and his ability to extract performance through finesse rather than electronics. His skill demonstrates the continued relevance of traditional racecraft in an era where technology often overshadows driver technique.
Via : @GandrewsS15 on YT
#footwork #racing #motorsports #classiccars #shanevangisbergen #heeltoe
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