Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Ferrari Digest, Vol 44, Issue 8

[George P . (ygpz4re]

Steve (as usual) makes great points.  I taught myself how to double clutch in a Ford Escort and then a Dodge Shadow.  I knew I learned correctly when I had to do a quick downshift into first in my Dad's old XK-120 (no synchros) and it was smooth as silk.  And yup, HTDS in my Jetta, too!  Aren't these the skills that make driving really *FUN*?!?!?
 
I know of one F owner out here who's first Ferrari was an F40.  They tried to sell him a Mondial w/ the Valeo clutch (since he had not previously owned any Ferrari).  His response was (I'm told), "Nope, I want to do that 3-pedal dance!"  [Well, that and "I want to go REAL FAST!"  ("Well, then, sir, you need one of these....."   --> F40!)]
 
gp
 
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 19:23:27 -0800
> From: "Steve Jenkins" <steve [at] stevejenkins.com>
> Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Stunning New Porsche 918 Spyder - Another
> Hybrid
> To: "'Doug and Terri Anderson'" <dnt [at] dock.net>
> Cc: 'The FerrariList' <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
> Message-ID: <001401cabc13$39c36e30$ad4a4a90$ [at] com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Notice that Doug astutely said "double-clutching AND heal-toeing" (well
> played, sir!).
>
>
>
> "Double-clutching" and "heel-toe-downshifting" are not the same thing. Some
> people incorrectly use the terms interchangeably. Just wanted to help
> clarify for those who may be thinking about them for the first time, and/or
> are considering learning one or both techniques.
>
>
>
> Double-clutching is a good skill to have, but somewhat less necessary with
> newer transmissions with synchros. But under extreme braking (i.e. track)
> situations, it can be useful (if you're fast enough to do it right). Also,
> when the synchros started to go out on my F40, DC-ing was very handy.
>
>
>
> HTDS is something I do EVERY single time I downshift a manual transmission -
> whether in a Ferrari or a Chevy Lacetti. ;)
>
>
>
> SteveJ
>
>
>
> P.S. I need Cocoa Puffs.
>

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