Braking In An Auto - Which Foot To Use.

[hardsteppa]

I can't be the only one who's heard of left-foot braking in performance driving, surely, I mean i'm the first to admit I'm not even that flash a driver. And I'm not talking about the examples above of muppets driving round leaving their foot on brake, or not applying the technique properly.

The idea is to make for a more smooth transition of the car; making it more stable when getting on/off throttle rather than the car shifting direction suddenly. I've only dabbled with it but you can feel the difference, especially when coming back on throttle out of a corner. Would take a lot of practice to have as a skill, but would imagine it would be a good thing to have as a performance driver.

[blackrex]

I'm an idiot as well then, always left foot brake in my cars, even the manual gearboxed cars. It have it to a point that using my right foot feels unnatural.

[Got a Pulsar]

Your right hand is still left brain controlled.

Your left foot is still right brain controlled.

Overall, you're probably able to do a variety of things with limbs on both sides that other people will find awkward.

However, you might still fall short of what they call "ambidextrous".

Try playing Drums. It's very Zen trying to not concentrate on any one limb but having all 4 doing different things.

Great Fun!!!

I am left handed and left footed but seem to be right foot dominant.

I had a mate demonstrate this. (Try this at home Kids). Get someone to give you a good shove in the chest to put you off balance and see which foot you naturally step back with to regain your balance. It may surprise you.

As I said before it still took some time to get used to the left foot braking on a Forklift but is Easy as once you get used to it. (20 year driving habits are hard to Brake!) and I only drive cars on the roads and not on the track. (yet) but I can sure see the benefits it may bring in certain situations.

[Ben C34]

I'm an idiot as well then, always left foot brake in my cars, even the manual gearboxed cars. It have it to a point that using my right foot feels unnatural.

I'd be interested to see how you actually drive a manual.

[hardsteppa]

Yeah of course, you can't comprehend it so it can't be true. Indulge in a bit of self-education, i suggest starting with youtube.

[Ben C34]

So when an emergency stop occurs in a manual your brain now has to make a choice, push brake with left or right foot rather than just push brake woth the foot you always use.

See my concern? I certainly understand , but each to his own. Just remember driving on the street is substantially different to a race or rally so can't be compared in my eyes.

[Got a Pulsar]

Like how stepping on the Clutch in an Auto is always fun. Damn near Headbutt the Bonnet.

[hardsteppa]

So when an emergency stop occurs in a manual your brain now has to make a choice, push brake with left or right foot rather than just push brake woth the foot you always use.

after reading this, yes I agree wholeheartedly, that yes, *YOU* should not try it as clearly you will become confused and a danger to other road users. So what you're saying is that all those professional race drivers should not be allowed to drive on public roads or hold a license.

Just remember driving on the street is substantially different to a race or rally

farken lolll, thanks o wise one, i will be sure to remember your words of wisdom

can't be compared in my eyes.

, and you're certainly entitled to hold your own opinion, as is everyone else. My issue was with you crying down anyone who left-foot brakes as an idiot, without actually knowing anything about it.

As said earlier it's a valuable technique worth learning, if you have the time/inclination./finished.

[Ben C34]

Thanks for your well thought out and formatted reply.

A piece of information I would like to know is if race car drivers left foot brake on the road. You are simply assuming they do.

Anyway do what you want. That's the beauty of being in a car. No one can actually force you to do anything, brake woth your hands for all I care. Mick Doohan does. Oh wait, that's on a motorbike on a racetrack.

I suck all Internet arguments so humbly bow out to your superieror skills.

Ps.

I really like the assumptions you make about me.

Edited September 24, 2014 by Ben C34

[GTR-N1]

As said earlier it's a valuable technique worth learning, if you have the time/inclination./finished.

Adjusted your post to contain the addendum...

"...time/inclination/aptitude..."

I can only add that one should only learn this skill (road or track) whilst there's no-one up your backside.

[Hertz Donut]

I'm right-handed but can write perfectly fine and at "normal" speed with my left hand, the only difference being it's a mirror image of what I write with my right hand, including the sloping of the letters. Am I clinically insane or just weird?

I've tried left-foot braking a couple of times but after nearly smashing my nose against the windscreen I decided I'd hold off on practicing further until I'm in a controlled environment.

Edited September 25, 2014 by Hertz Donut

[GTR-N1]

Nice story! No neurological specialists on this forum alas.

I once had a tour guide in the Philippines. She'd write left handed from the bottom right of the page to the left bottom; and work her way up. When she turned the page upside-down, everything looked normal. I couldn't get my head around that one either.

[warps]

I LFB in a manual

Anyone who's ever rallied a FWD or AWD should be intimate with left foot braking. RWD not so much, but still has benefits.

Most people don't have the fine control of the left foot because they're used to pushing the clutch in (not as much to do with whether you left or right handed)

On the road though, right foot it is.

[GTR-N1]

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