Do you find left foot braking effective in autocross
(or other driving environment) in your MINI ?
How does the Corner Brake Control affect how
the car reacts to left foot braking ?
I use my left foot to brace myself, and so I can feel
how my car is rotating. But someday I will have a
restraint harness and will be better able to
experiment with this technique.
Once upon a time I used left foot braking routinely,
but that was in a turbo-lagged 65 hp VW diesel.
So far, I am coming to terms with judging braking
points as my tires warm up during the run, and as
some parts of the course are dry and others wet.
I was again messing around with left-foot technique this past weekend in a car club autocross because we still haven't figured out how to drive this Cooper CVT effectively.
It's truly a "driving software" experience. The e-throttle establishes a "target speed" for the EMS2000 computer to use under acceleration, so getting that done in the map and actually working at the tire's contact patch requires a technique more like karts than cars.
My last two runs (of 6 for the day) worked surprisingly well. I sort of "released" the car to accelerate. My best run was within a tenth of the best time of the day (against heavier but MUCH more powerful cars: Audi, VW, Mazda, Subaru).
'02 MINI Cooper CVT(6/12/02; Indi Blue/Black, R-81 7-hole 15x5.5" or NZO 16x6.5")
'67 Austin Cooper S (6/26/67; Tartan Red/Black, 10x4.5")
I have found left braking to be the best way in the MINI. And pretty much every front wheel drive car I've ever autocrossed for that matter. It just keeps the car more balanced and helps reduce overweighting the front wheels during braking and turn in and causing the front end to push out. The corner brake control seems to be very effective even while riding the brake and gas.
I'm going to learn something here! The details of Sven's Cooper S Driving Technique may wash across to help me in our Cooper CVT ontrack and through the cones.
I'm going to anticipate that he goes to his left foot after setting up the car under braking (correct gear selected for the corner), but let's see.
Neither the EMS2000 computer nor DSC prevent using both throttle and brake at the same time (unlike the Audi system in some models which cuts off the throttle).
'02 MINI Cooper CVT(6/12/02; Indi Blue/Black, R-81 7-hole 15x5.5" or NZO 16x6.5")
'67 Austin Cooper S (6/26/67; Tartan Red/Black, 10x4.5")
Of all the gratuitous animated and flash car sites,
I have yet to see one illustrate heel and toe.
The technique involves operating the brake with the left egde of
the foot, while rocking it down and to the right to operate the
throttle. With practice, it becomes possible to smoothly and
independently operate both pedals with one foot.
Anyway, with my size 13 doc Marten clown shoes, it's easy
to step on two pedals at once.
Technically, since the MINIs are drive by wire, you could put a throttle lever on the steering wheel, and not have to worry about heel-toeing the brake and gas pedal.
Yes, but wouldn't it have to be on the same side that corresponds to the driver's side of the car, as you'd be shifting with the other hand?
I suppose technically it would be possible, with some clever circuitry and contact switches, to tell which gear was being selected and auto blip the throttle to match.
Place contact switches under the shift gate, and send a signal to blip the throttle to match the selected gear, only if the new calculated revs were within the rev limit. Otherwise make a sound to alert the driver. All without a single button, or extra throttle control.
Driving would be as easy, as braking into a corner, pushing in the clutch, down shifting, reengaging the clutch, moving the left foot to the brake, move the right foot back onto the throttle, and then shift the balance from braking to throttle as you exit the corner.
The next step would be a full sequential gear box with paddle controls on the wheel.
I'm not sure I'll ever be ready for that big a step. However the blip to match could be fun.
I left foot brake all the time when I'm racing. It's been a better technique for total control. There is less time from moving your foot on/off the gas. I can brake and lift at the same time and then apply throttle before coming off the brakes to torque up and accelerate out of corners.
It's not absolutely needed for Solo2 but it's a very effective technique. Heel/toe works for corners where there's more time and when you need to downshift. It's not a very easy to execute technique but with some practice it's possible and can give you a better exit. More road racers go with the heel/toe since the speeds are higher and the time to get into and out of turns is longer. Some Mod and Prep class guys use it when they have short gears and are in third or 4th before a tight turn. Us stock class guys who rarely have to shift down go with left foot braking.
I now use left foot braking much more on the street, and it's the preferred method in the Cooper CVT for track days. I'm getting better but when I think I'm getting good, it's time to take a driving class to restore the absolute knowledge that there is a LOT TO LEARN.
Here is an amazing video clip of Walter Rohrl dancing in the Audi Quattro, with a focus on his footwork and left foot braking. Enjoy a lesson from the master!
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