When do YOU down shift??????

[DAVID GAGNARD]

I think the common point here on all of this is practice,practice and more practice........I'm terrible at heel/toe,but still trying and learning everytime I'm on the track......

Second time out I decided that left foot braking would help my lap times,even though my instructor advised against it for a newbie like me,so I went out and was "resting" my left foot on the brake pedal,green flag drops,I'm in third gear about 60mph,put the pedal to the metal,watching the tach,getting ready to shift to forth at about 100 mph,let off the gas for an instant and slam the brake pedal down to shift,very ugly,rear end locked up,car went sideways a little,more embarresed than I care to admit,after the session an instructor riding behind me wanted to know just "what the hell happened",I was so embarresed I could hardly tell him,then he burst out laughing and told me to quit trying to be the fastest guy out there and just have fun.......I finally "settled down" and did have fun and my lap times did improve..........practice,practice and more practice............

David