When do YOU down shift??????

[Richard Hudgins]

Ernie and David,

I have always gone to the gear required for corner exit as opposed to "going down through the gears".

(Note: except in a sequential box, but you really do not ever engage the gears as you go through them if you do it right.)

I have found that I do not have the necessary time during the braking period to do anything but select the gear required.

It has also been my experience that engine braking is not as effective as the brakes alone.

I have actually seen from telemetry that using engine braking increases braking distance considerably as the engine speed will not slow down as quickly as the brakes will pull the car down.

(Note: this only on high rotating mass engines such as what is normally found in a Cobra.)