08-06-2005, 10:15 AM
no, the slowing is not from weight transfer. getting front end "bite" to turn into a corner is, but im not talking about that. there are many corners where you dont really need to brake, but you need to slow down a bit. depending on your car, hp and grip. T4 at summit may be that way for you, or entering the uphill esses.
the slowing effect from engine braking is the rotational friction and energy required to turn the engine over. The higher your RPMs, the more dramatic your engine braking is. This is the same reason that if you dont revmatch while braking and downshifting, you will lock up the tires.
This really is a concept that you should get familiar with, because if you loose your brakes, all you have left is the engine.
Every event I mentally rehearse what I will do if my pedal goes to the floor.
right foot: continually pump brake pedal
right hand: pull ebrake up halfway and leave it
left foot: clutch in, put in next lower gear, clutch out quickly but not drop it
immediately do it again to the next gear
turn in very early to maximize pavement you have to work with
crank wheel to scrub off speed
all of this is obviously done extremely quickly one after another.
you should think about what you will do if you have zero brakes if you dont already. i even occassionaly practice it in the car with it off to develop muscle memory
the slowing effect from engine braking is the rotational friction and energy required to turn the engine over. The higher your RPMs, the more dramatic your engine braking is. This is the same reason that if you dont revmatch while braking and downshifting, you will lock up the tires.
This really is a concept that you should get familiar with, because if you loose your brakes, all you have left is the engine.
Every event I mentally rehearse what I will do if my pedal goes to the floor.
right foot: continually pump brake pedal
right hand: pull ebrake up halfway and leave it
left foot: clutch in, put in next lower gear, clutch out quickly but not drop it
immediately do it again to the next gear
turn in very early to maximize pavement you have to work with
crank wheel to scrub off speed
all of this is obviously done extremely quickly one after another.
you should think about what you will do if you have zero brakes if you dont already. i even occassionaly practice it in the car with it off to develop muscle memory