Anyone heel-and-toe anymore ??

[Vincent Waldon]

Now that we know enough about these diesels to make 'em scoot I miss some of the driving finesse that should come with it.

Specifically: I've not ever really been able to heel-and-toe reliably in an MK1/2/3 because of the way the pedal cluster sits.  Piece-o-cake in a Beetle !

My guess is that a spacer on the gas or brake pedal would help... anyone ever sort it out ??

[FoXBoXRaCiNG]

Not too often you here of the old skool driving ways! Something I still do, was taught to drive, on a standard, by a racer at Race City (RIP)! She taught me the heel&toe on the ol Mazda GLC wagon (RWD), scared the shat outta me when I first ever drifted a corner  :wink:

[Op-Ivy]

I don't heel-toe necessarily, but I do match my rpm when down shifting. I just let off the brake and blip the throttle.

[Patrick]

Never tried it in a Jetta. Used to do it all the time in a V6 5 speed Pontiac Astre I built (That's a LOT of years ago!) Have to see if it's possible in the Jetta. My right foot will twist around at a pretty good angle..... :lol:

[blkboostedtruck]

I used to do it in my type 3 a lot! when my idle was off!
but  is difficult in MK's unless the brake pedal works at a lower position!
but i have stayed away from that practice because of the instant brake light that comes on! the older master cylinders that were used in early vw's had a pressure switch and only came on with some pressure was applied!
Duane

[saurkraut]

I have EEE width feet, so I brake with the left side of my right foot, and blip the throttle with the right side.

Its kind of a push and pivot.  Works good.

I do it all the time.

[TedV]

Story from Randy Pobst who started racing with the Mk1 Rabbit Cup cars.  He would bend the gas pedal to the left to make heal-toe easier.  In 85 they switched to the Mk2 Golf. He picked the Golf, soon to be racer up at the port at night.  Drove a block away, reached down to bend the pedal to the left. Doing so he heard a SNAP. Turns out Mk2's use a plastic pedal  :shock:   he had to walk back to the guard, ask him for another pedal and a band aid.  Plastic can be sharp.  

 :lol:

Sometimes I left foot brake when I autocross

[burn_your_money]

I do as op-Ivy and RPM match. I've tried heel and toe but haven't ever successfully done it. My brakes come in too early so I can't hit the throttle.

[Vincent Waldon]

Man you haven't lived till you're roaring down a winding mountain road in a 1969 VW van on road crush, rear end drifting out, heel-and-toeing as the apex tightens...


... passengers screaming....    :lol:

[1slowvw]

I'm a big fan of rev matching, picked it up as a habit while dirtbiking when I was real young, and just transfered over to my driving everything else.

1SlowVW

[vanbcguy]

My 2nd gear synchro is kinda nasty so rev matching is almost a requirement, at least when it's cold.  I've never managed to figure out a way to jam my foot in there to heel and toe it though - not much room!

[Baxter]

Double de clutch anyone?
i always have a throttle blip between gears, I also could never heal and toe to I was a left side right side kinda driver, same scenario just done different.

[lord_verminaard]

Ya, I've also had problems with it in most of the VW's I've owned.  The best part about my Camaro was the pedal arrangement.  I also had some nice aluminum pedals made that made it easier.  I have these nice pedals in my Scirocco: http://store.cdoc.com/detail.asp?id=13721&str=2000-0174&name=Pedal+Sets%2C+Dead+Pedals+and+Footrests#

They are the nicest I have ever stepped on, but the brakes do not engage high enough and I cannot swing my foot around to the accel pedal.  The Corrado isn't as bad, I suspect with proper pedals I should be fine with it.  In the meantime, I still RPM match downshifting most of the time, just not while braking.  

Brendan

[smoken u]

I double clutch most of the time, and heel toe occasionally, but like everyone says its not easy in the MK II, although I do brake boost very often while going around corners, find it makes it spool faster. :twisted:

[Vincent Waldon]

Great discussion guys... much appreciated.

Here's something to put you in the mood.

Here's a pretty good tutorial from a pretty good car mag .