pcimino

Yes, but after reading about exactly what double cluthing does, it's apparent that the synchros have to work too hard. But if you double clutch and rev match, should not be an issue

tuj

Some of us are willing to do things like this occasionally for those few extra tenths of a second.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

but they didn't specifically say why, maybe they're worried about the avg joe overreving, spinning, or locking up the drivetrain, it's essentially the same trans used in the Miata and I've known people who've been doing it for years without issue

fwiw, 1st gear has triple cone synchros

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

what does fwiw mean and what does triple cone synchros mean?

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

fwiw = for what it's worth

Multiple cone synchronizers reduce shift effort, despite having triple cone synchros the short throw shifter forces you to use some effort to get it in gear, it takes some constant force on the lever for it to drop in, the highest gears usually only have one cone

John V

iTrader: (1)

I downshifted in the hairpin turn on the north course of nats this year. I was worried because I didn't practice the downshift on the practice course. No worries, I never biffed the shift. It was quite easy.

clyde

Too bad you can't say the same about the 1-2 upshift.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

you probably overslowed then, if you set up the braking zone to go wide on the entry there was room on the exit to carry the speed through the turn in 2nd

John V

iTrader: (1)

Might be true, we'll never know. I still ran a raw (plus a cone that didn't help me) faster than any of yours on that course, and I only had 3 (and a half :p ) runs to do it. :

I was pretty sure it was faster when I was doing it, and I did carry enough speed with the downshift to push out where you're talking about, and I was set up for the wide entry. But who knows.

JV

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

trust me, I left a lot of time out on the course, including that corner, by no means am I implying that I was at the top of my game

if it makes you feel better, my codriver never downshifted there :p if anything it was probably even-steven to do it either way, making the shift only allows the potential for screwing up

John V

iTrader: (1)

Ugh, let's not talk about time left on course, shall we? Based on my performance at the big events this year I'm seriously doubting my abilities, especially in the RX-8 :p

I've pretty much decided next year will be spent doing more schools and fewer tours.

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

Our car has seen 1st gear at an event once, when we first got it, now we know we dont need to use it. I had the times to win the pro, Red lights, without 1st gear. Stayed in 2nd both natl courses and trust me the .2xx I was behind the first day was the big drift in the showcase not due to staying in 2nd gear.

I would side with teamrx8 on this one, if you were going to 1st on the North course you were slowing to much. I had no bog at all in that turn holding 2nd.

I guess to many years driving a vette, I just dont like to shift. Same thing at the UT pro, ran with the top times and coned away faster ones. Everyone else used 3rd, I just banged the limiter in 2nd. Every shift is lost time and the chance to make a mistake. imho

John V

iTrader: (1)

There is no way to know this without looking at comparitive 'g' data. It's possible to maintain the exact same speed through that corner with and without the downshift, unless you were at a speed that would constitute redline in first gear.

Bog is a relative term with this car. Anything under 6000 RPM or so feels like a bog to me.

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

Even if you have the same corner speed you will lose time on the upshift. Best guys in the world will lose a tenth or more on an upshift.

Also what is the point of using 1st gear if you have to roll on the power.... While you are waiting for traction in 1st I am floored in 2nd.

Hey, you guys keep shifting. :D

RX8SpdDmn

Good explanation, tuj.

Just to pipe in here, I ALWAYS double clutch ALL my downshifts. Why? Well, it virtually eliminates the wear on the synchros and if I ALWAYS do it, then I don't screw it up when I need it most! ie, autocross 2->1 downshift. When I'm braking, I ALWAYS HEEL-AND-TOE-DOUBLE-CLUTCH-DOWNSHIFT. Mostly for the same reasons. If you get good at it, you won't be able to measure the extra time that it takes to put the clutch in and out that one extra time. By double-clutching, you'll find how EFFORTLESSLY the shifter will drop into your lower gear, assuming that you've properly rev-matched. I know if I were racing that I wouldn't double-clutch, but considering that I'm tracking my own car and I don't have a personal mechanic, I'll keep double-clutching and not worry about that extra .00x second that it takes.

Also, I can up and down-shift WITHOUT the clutch. However, it takes a lot of concentration and isn't as quick as a result. I do it to show off every once in a while, but that's about it. :D

John V

iTrader: (1)

I was floored in first exiting that corner. No problem putting down power. If you couldn't floor it in first out of that corner you're running too much camber.

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

Well if you were so fast there where did you leave the rest of your time. :D

Sorry had to do it.

John V

iTrader: (1)

:D

Know you were joking, but... a couple tenths due to indecision at the end of the slalom. Had it in my head that I wanted to do the inside-outside line on my last run, but carried a bit too much speed at the end of the slalom to accomplish that. Didn't carry enough speed to do the outside-inside line quickly .

Plus never getting the feature sweeper quite right - but I was still flat out so maybe it didn't matter too much.

Oh, the cone didn't help either

Let's not even discuss friday...