How Do I Learn to "Drive"??
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,355
From: Eureka, Mo
How Do I Learn to "Drive"??
My new edge was an automatic. My 06 is a manual. I've owned manuals in the past...I can drive one just fine. I can't race one though...my last manual car I owned was about 6-7 years ago and was a 1995 Grand Am I4, not exactly race material.
I've noticed in the past couple of days that my shifting seems dreadfully slow. Just fine for daily driving, but at the track I know it is going to cost me tenths.
How can I teach myself to shift faster?
I've noticed in the past couple of days that my shifting seems dreadfully slow. Just fine for daily driving, but at the track I know it is going to cost me tenths.
How can I teach myself to shift faster?
5th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,112
From: NC
RE: How Do I Learn to "Drive"??
#1 Dont miss them,granny shifting is better, in so many ways, than grinding the sh*t out of a gear when you miss it trying to power shift. The rest will come, with seat time.Let theHursthelp you out. I dont know if that was any help, hope it has.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,565
From: Jersey
RE: How Do I Learn to "Drive"??
To be really fast at the track you have to drive the car like you hate it. Granny shifting is fine for a little highway cruisebut to extract max potential out of your car your going to have to learn to launch your car hard and powershift without missing gears. Make a conscious effort to shift the car fast even when your just out driving around. And practice...ALOT,If you want a good launch and also practice your power shifts so you wont miss a gear when it counts.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 459
From: MD(VA for College)
RE: How Do I Learn to "Drive"??
I remember racing another gt and missing third. 1 week later my tri-ax arrived in the mail. Havent missed a gear yet (knock on wood). Going to the track tomorrow (well I guess its today by now)to see what she has in her. If i break 13s ill be happy for the first time out.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 420
From: Lincoln,NE
RE: How Do I Learn to "Drive"??
PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE
It just takes plenty of seat time and you'll find out every car is different in its own way.
Now one thing to remember is when you launch don't just mash the gas after letting the clutch out...find a good RPM that doesn't cause you to bog or too roast the tires off
Once you have found that sweet spot of a launch, let the clutch out at the desired RPM, feather the throttle till the wheel spinage stops then fully put it to the floor...my $.02
It just takes plenty of seat time and you'll find out every car is different in its own way.
Now one thing to remember is when you launch don't just mash the gas after letting the clutch out...find a good RPM that doesn't cause you to bog or too roast the tires off
Once you have found that sweet spot of a launch, let the clutch out at the desired RPM, feather the throttle till the wheel spinage stops then fully put it to the floor...my $.02
is my username.
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 13,808
From: Earth
RE: How Do I Learn to "Drive"??
Honestly...after maybe getting used to a car after a bit, I don't see how one cannot at least speed shift through the gears. To hell with powershifting a stock transmission (unless you like the thought of breaking **** and replacing things sooner than expected) for maybe a few tenths max...
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,355
From: Eureka, Mo
RE: How Do I Learn to "Drive"??
Should there be a little bit of resistance when going into each gear? It's hard to explain, but with this car it takes a little bit of effort to shift into each gear...I have absolutely no problem finding the gears, but the best I can remember from my other cars is that the shifter would practically fall into place.
