Notices
RX-8 Racing Want to discuss autocrossing, road-racing and drag racing the RX-8? Bring it here. This is NOT a kills/street racing forum.

Left Foot Braking

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 11-26-2012, 12:16 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
bentiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Left Foot Braking

Folks, I've been trying left foot braking at autox for the last few events. I have to start off by saying that I'm loving it... I'm still slower than I would be right foot braking but the gap is closing and I feel more in control.

However, I keep hurting my knee while doing this. I'm sort of tall ( 6 ft) and getting both my feet in position feels very awkward. I have a 4 point harness on the stock seats and I've also adjusted my steering wheel as much as I could. Anyone else LFBing and having the same problem?

I'm going to look into a wide brake pedal cover to see if i can extend the pedal to the left a bit... not sure if that's going to be enough though. To get full control over the brake and not twist my knee again, I need the pedal to be much farther to the left. Any thoughts?
Old 11-26-2012, 12:54 PM
  #2  
BECAUSE RACECAR
iTrader: (10)
 
Arca_ex's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
I'm surprised your sanctioning body let's you use a 4 point especially with stock seats...

I couldn't left foot brake at all until I got a real fixed back bucket seat and 6 point harnesses.
Old 11-26-2012, 01:11 PM
  #3  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Samus512's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Broward, FL
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I thought left foot braking was better for fwd cars cuz then you can brake while giving gas to lessen the oversteer
Old 11-26-2012, 01:12 PM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
bentiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Keep in mind we are talking about Autox... My harness is not installed properly and not really a safety device. Technically I still have to wear my OEM seat belt... the harness is just in place instead of a CG-lock. It does work a lot better than a CG-lock but I guess not good enough for LFB!

Last edited by bentiac; 11-26-2012 at 01:14 PM.
Old 11-26-2012, 01:16 PM
  #5  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Samus512's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Broward, FL
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I mean understeer, lol and excuse me if im being ignorant, i dont know too much about racing or rally driving
Old 11-26-2012, 01:16 PM
  #6  
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
bentiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
FWD cars and AWD might benefit more from LFB. But with our cars, you are at least cutting down the coasting time and keeping the engine up in the power range. More control over load transfer is the obvious benefit in all cars.
Old 11-26-2012, 01:25 PM
  #7  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Samus512's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Broward, FL
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just heel toe.. Lol off topic but i taught myself to heel toe with my heel on the brake instead of toeing the brake. Gives me better braking control and works better with the way the 8's pedals are set up
Old 11-26-2012, 01:42 PM
  #8  
mkuhnracing.com
iTrader: (3)
 
TopGear8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 6,212
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
^heel toe has nothing to do with left foot braking... You heel toe when you are downshifting, you left foot brake to scrub off a little of speed going into a corner, or even mid corner, so that you don't upset the throttle position.
Old 11-26-2012, 01:49 PM
  #9  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Samus512's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Broward, FL
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just watched a video about it on youtube, i get it. Now i kinda want to try it
Old 11-26-2012, 03:00 PM
  #10  
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
bentiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Unless you have an automatic try it in an empty parking lot first... At autox, once you are in 2nd gear, you'll stay in 2nd gear and LFB is pretty safe to practice. On the street however, I can see legs being confused with consequences.

I'm going to try a large pedal cover next Sunday and see if it makes a difference.
Old 11-27-2012, 02:53 AM
  #11  
BECAUSE RACECAR
iTrader: (10)
 
Arca_ex's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
One tip if you're going to try it though... when you go to left foot brake PUT YOUR HEEL ON THE GROUND haha. This keeps you from absolutely smashing the brakes the first time you go to try it, because your left foot is so used to the amount of force required for the clutch pedal and the amount of travel it has you will hit the brakes pretty damn hard.
Old 11-27-2012, 11:34 AM
  #12  
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
bentiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Or if you have done any karting, pretend like you are driving one. That's what I did but then I felt the extra 2500 lb... LOL

Having the heel on the ground is an interesting idea though... wonder if it would help me not twist my knee without sacrificing control / response time.
Old 11-27-2012, 12:06 PM
  #13  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Agent XY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Champaign, IL
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
After I broke my right foot and I had learn with the left in our jeep. This was great because once my right foot healed I could use both. I however have the same issues as you.

1. I can't fit my leg under the wheel to left foot brake in the rx8, I can do this all day in the jeep. I can get to a pedal at an angle but that is extremely awkward.

2. In corners I am generally using my left foot to help brace myself. I only have the stock seat belt so that extra bracing is extremely useful. When I try to use both feet on the pedals I tend to get a bit off balance which doesn't work out to well. I have heard of others bracing their knees under the dash,steering column but as stated above mine would be pressing against the wheel.

I imagine a new seat will help with both of these issues and my headroom problems. (6'4")


Good luck.
Old 11-27-2012, 03:25 PM
  #14  
Moder8
iTrader: (1)
 
04Green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Oviedo, Florida
Posts: 2,578
Received 49 Likes on 31 Posts
Left foot brake also helps with car rotation, but without getting out of throttle. Be ready for the additional rotation from unloading the rear a tad, but still running power through it.

@ arca, a nice ASM 4 point should be good, especially a Schroth Rally 4, through the hole. And, avoids the opportunity for "testicular degloving".
Old 11-27-2012, 04:55 PM
  #15  
Registered
 
tpdrx8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hickory, NC
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I LFB my 8 in a-x and have not had any knee issues. Only 5-11 though?
Old 11-27-2012, 06:17 PM
  #16  
Mr. Örange
 
TANKERG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Arca_ex
One tip if you're going to try it though... when you go to left foot brake PUT YOUR HEEL ON THE GROUND haha. This keeps you from absolutely smashing the brakes the first time you go to try it, because your left foot is so used to the amount of force required for the clutch pedal and the amount of travel it has you will hit the brakes pretty damn hard.

I'll have to try that, the first two times I have tried it I have about put my head through the windsheild So I gave up. Same for the first time heel-toeing with track pads from running nothing but oems for a few years But for the HTing I got past the muscle memory and figured it out.
Old 11-27-2012, 06:53 PM
  #17  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,792
Received 2,044 Likes on 1,666 Posts
the average left foot braker rides the brake pedal too much
Old 11-29-2012, 04:53 PM
  #18  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,792
Received 2,044 Likes on 1,666 Posts
Originally Posted by 40w8
That's your best wisdom in ages.
you should focus more on your own rather than worry about mine

there are situations where LFB can be advantageous, learn to to only use it as may be necessary
Old 11-29-2012, 05:36 PM
  #19  
Made in England
iTrader: (5)
 
wrightcomputing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sarasota
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
I am having the same trouble that on right turns it is hard to left foot brake as I brace myself with my knees. I would like to get a racing seat & harness at some point but it is not the highest thing on my shopping list.

I do like the look of the Schroth 4 point does anyone have any experience with it? I hear the 4 points ride up and are no good. Here is the link http://www.schrothracing.com/tuning/...p-vw-audi#2317

Last edited by wrightcomputing; 11-29-2012 at 05:41 PM.
Old 01-14-2013, 09:58 PM
  #20  
Registered
 
Fr430n's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I find myself doing trail braking with my left foot up in the mountains, but never noticed myself bracing myself with my legs even at 0.74-0.81G... Am I doing it wrong?
Old 01-15-2013, 12:22 AM
  #21  
Mr. Örange
 
TANKERG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Do you have a race seat?
Old 01-16-2013, 04:30 PM
  #22  
please wait for the beep
iTrader: (5)
 
dmitrik4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Philly
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by wrightcomputing
I am having the same trouble that on right turns it is hard to left foot brake as I brace myself with my knees. I would like to get a racing seat & harness at some point but it is not the highest thing on my shopping list.



I do like the look of the Schroth 4 point does anyone have any experience with it? I hear the 4 points ride up and are no good. Here is the link SCHROTH RACING > Professional Racing Harnesses

I have the Schroth 4-point. The trick is snugging down the lap portion before tightening the shoulder straps. Otherwise it will ride up. Also, the harness doesn't need to be "road racing" tight; it's not meant to protect you in a crash, jsut hold you in your seat. Overtightening the shoulders will cause the lower portion to ride up.
Old 01-16-2013, 05:57 PM
  #23  
#225 of 1000
iTrader: (7)
 
EricB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Dirty Jerz
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Originally Posted by Arca_ex
One tip if you're going to try it though... when you go to left foot brake PUT YOUR HEEL ON THE GROUND haha. This keeps you from absolutely smashing the brakes the first time you go to try it, because your left foot is so used to the amount of force required for the clutch pedal and the amount of travel it has you will hit the brakes pretty damn hard.
i tried it on the street and did just that, my foot was used to the clutch and i god damn nearly locked the brakes LOL..
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jst4fun
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
18
04-17-2021 07:43 AM
Jst4fun
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
9
03-05-2021 07:16 PM
Mane
New Member Forum
2
11-20-2015 12:16 PM
stickmantijuana
Series I Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension
0
09-04-2015 10:31 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Left Foot Braking



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:59 AM.