Heel & Toe shifting — Get your shift together!

Heel and Toe shifting is a traditional racing way to shift down a gear while rev matching under braking. Applying braking and changing gear as one as opposed to two separate actions will increase lap times in any driving discipline. It’s an essential skill to master. If you are unfamiliar with Rev Matching, you should probably read an earlier article I wrote up on it. You’ll definitely need it to execute heel & toe successfully.

What does heel and toe shifting achieve?

• Less stress on the driveline
• Lessens forward weight transfer when downshifting
• Can reduce the chances of wheel lock
• Rapid, smooth down shifts before entering a corner

How do I do it?

This technique is possible by turning your right foot inwards, using your fore foot to apply braking and your heel to blip the throttle. It sounds complicated, but it’s actually a relatively easy technique to master with good old practice. Heel and toe is vital on the track, but can also make you a smoother driver on the road.

Heel and toe, step by step:

Step 1

Heel and toe is mostly used to down shift in anticipation of the turn-in of a corner.

Diagram 1 (below) shows a driver accelerating in third gear, approaching the top of the power band with the road speed increasing.

Diagram 1: Accelerating in third gear

As you approach the braking point of a corner, move your fore foot onto the brake pedal. The brake is the priority of the two pedals, so ensure good contact is had. In some cars it is very difficult to heel and toe due to the pedal position, but depending on make and model you may be able to adjust pedal positioning. It’s recommended to wear racing boots or thin-soled shoes to increase your pedal feel and decrease chances of your foot sliding off the brake. In some situations, replacing the pedals with an aftermarket set is a great alternative.

Step 2

As you hit the turn-in point, press the brake pedal and reduce your overall speed to a point where it’s possible to change down without over-revving the engine (see Diagram 2 below). In this example, the driver is in third gear, reducing speed before a shift into second.

Diagram 2: Braking hard before a corner, engine speed decreases as road speed drops

Step 3

When it’s possible to downshift and while still braking, rotate your right foot and prepare to press or blip the accelerator with your heel. Alternatively if your pedals are close together it may be possible to use the side of your foot. At the same time, press the clutch with your left foot to disengage the clutch from the transmission.

Diagram 3: Rotating the right foot in preparation to press the throttle, pressing clutch

Step 4

With the clutch disengaged, engine speed will begin to drop rapidly. Increase your RPM’s using the throttle with the heel of your right foot to match the RPM’s in second gear to the road speed. You will have already mastered rev matching, so this should be nothing.

Diagram 4: Pressing the throttle with the heel to raise engine speed

Step 5

When the road speed and the engine speed match, select the gear which will allow you to exit the corner quickly, in this case second gear(shown in Diagram 5). This step is done very fluidly with Step 4.

Diagram 5: Changing to second gear

Step 6

Come off the brake smoothly and progressively and release the clutch. Maneuver the corner then accelerate smoothly and prepare for the next turn!

Diagram 6: Release the clutch, and accelerate out of the turn

And there you have it! You’ve just successfully shifted using heel and toe. But practice makes perfect — use this technique every day until it becomes second nature and you’ll start to shave seconds off your lap time.