What is Heel and Toe?
Heel and toe involves using your right foot to operate both the brake and accelerator pedals simultaneously in a coordinated fashion to match engine revs to road speed during a downshift. This technique prevents drivetrain shock, avoids wheel lockup, and keeps the car balanced during braking. The toe or ball of the right foot presses the brake pedal while the side or heel blips the throttle.
How to Do It Step-by-Step:
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Approach the corner and begin braking with the ball/toe of your right foot.
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Depress the clutch with your left foot to disengage the transmission.
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While still braking, roll the right foot to blip the throttle (raise engine rpm) using the heel or side.
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Downshift to a lower gear with your left hand.
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Gradually release the clutch, matching the engine speed with wheel speed.
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Finish braking and prepare to accelerate out of the corner.
Where and When to Begin
Start practicing heel and toe in a safe, low-traffic area. Ideally, find a gentle downhill to slow the car naturally and focus on throttle blips without braking pressure. Once comfortable, progress to incorporating the brake pedal. Mastery comes from repetition and learning the precise foot positioning and pedal spacing in your car.
Why You Should Try It More
Learning heel and toe makes you a smoother, faster, and more confident driver, particularly in challenging driving conditions or on racetracks. It reduces mechanical wear on your car’s transmission and braking components while improving vehicle control and cornering stability.
With practice, heel and toe shifting becomes second nature, transforming driving from a routine task into a skillful, enjoyable experience that connects you more deeply with your car.
For a visual guide and demonstration, watching dedicated tutorial videos by professional racers helps immensely, accelerating the learning curve.
So, if you haven’t yet, give heel and toe a try—you might be surprised how this subtle art enhances your driving pleasure.
