Advanced Driving Techniques You Can Master

Personal Performance Tuning to Match Your Car

If you’ve recently had your car sent in for performance tuning, or are considering a few upgrades, you can make the most of your car’s increased performance by upping your skill behind the wheel as well.

A modified car may not necessarily be easier to drive than the stock version. With improved traction, better acceleration, and sharper handling, it takes a driver of a good skill level to exploit the performance available in a sports car. So, what are some of the advanced driving techniques you can master? We’re going to look more closely at these three:

• Heel-and-toe shifting
• Left-foot braking
• Handbrake turns

While heel-and-toe shifting has tangible benefits on a track, handbrake turns are more a party trick than anything else. In all cases, though, you’ll be able to pull off driving techniques that most amateurs can’t.

We’ll start with heel-and-toe shifting, which involves the simultaneous operation of the brake and throttle pedals with the right foot, while the left is used for the clutch. The benefits of this technique are improved downshifting speeds, reduced transmission wear, and – specifically and most usefully for track situations – it allows for braking and shifting to be completely decoupled. The best way to get to grips with this technique is from inside the car itself, or to see it in action, just as the guys from Piloto Racing have demonstrated on their YouTube channel.

Don’t Get Left Behind
On a track, where mere seconds are the difference between victory and defeat, left-foot braking can aid in improving your lap time. This technique of course leaves the right foot to handle the throttle pedal exclusively, while the left operates both the clutch and brake pedals. In theory, this allows you to decrease the time spent moving your right foot from the throttle to the brake pedal, reducing load transfer and, in turbocharged vehicles, maintaining boost through corners instead of waiting for the turbo to spool up when exiting. Added to this is the safety aspect, with automotive news site Jalopnik suggesting a 30% reduction in reaction time when braking with your left foot, which would realize palpable improvements in safety if proven.

The Elusive Handbrake Turn
As hinted at above, this driving technique is more of a party trick than anything (unless you’re talking serious motorsport), but which hardcore driving enthusiast hasn’t fantasized about perfecting the handbrake turn? Obviously best attempted in a controlled environment, the driver typically transfers weight to the outside tires while also pulling up the handbrake and locking the rear wheels. Novice drivers can attempt handbrake turns at speeds of around 30mph and, if going for a left turn, the left hand should be at around the 1-2 o’clock position (where your right hand would typically be resting). Again, we must emphasize how vital it is to only attempt this maneuver in an environment suited to fast driving, and without any obstacles close by which can be struck. Lower speeds are preferable as the risk of flipping the car is high if executed incorrectly.

These driving techniques, if mastered, are sure to take full advantage of your German sedan’s beefed up mechanicals. Have fun, but make sure to take the necessary safety precautions!