Porsche shifting question - DE Options

[Bill Smith]

I am running a 74 914 with a 901 trans with a quaiffe. Running in Blue and really wanted to go to white so I was really pushing and showing that I could be agressive. Running at Summit point, WV which is probably the same as most tracks. Long Straight followed by a 180 degree turn.

Going down the straight in 5th gear, shift light comes on so I am close to redline, full throttle, 500 feet sign, 400 feet sign, 300 feet sign - off throttle - full brakes, 200 feet sign, 100 ft sign, clutch in - Shift from 5th to 3rd with a throttle blip and turn in going about 50 mph.

My problem is sometimes I rake the gear. I read in an article that you should pause in the middle of the shift to smooth it out. I think my eyes were wide open and I was trying to hurry the shift because I was taking the turn fast - MY instructor even said that was hotter than I take it but your car really holds. One time he even yelled that I was spinning but it was just trail braking and I throttled out of it. At the end of the session he did say I was ready for white - will probably get moved up next event.

Is there a good way to learn to shift smooth?? - I dont want to screw up my ride.

[Racer]

1) Seat time

2) NEVER rush a shift. Its DE, not racing for example. Take your time. Also, it should really only take the force of two fingers to move the gearshift, not a big old, adrenaline filled fist.

3) Downshift earlier.. and yes, it can be smoother to downshift through the gears rather than skip a gear.. why? you do a better job of rev matching, imho. You might try double de-clutching as well.

4) Are you using a heel-toe technique?

At Summit point, you not only have to deal with scrubbing off a lot of speed (essentially terminal top speed down to the 40-50mph range) but it does get bumpy in the brake zone and well, T1 itself is getting nicely washboarded.

While I can go fifth-third, I prefer the timing/sequence of a 5-4-3 downshift.

You mention it yourself that you entered faster than ever before.. both good and bad really. Good to learn the car will stick.. bad, because it made you "hurry up" your motions. I would even guess that you might have turned in a bit earlier than usual to "make sure" you made the turn.

Oh, and speaking as an instructor, a student that drives "fast" doesn't impress me much. Its the student who:

1) Manages traffic (both passing and being passed) calmy and quickly
2) SMOOTH inputs - braking, steering, shifting etc
3) Is consistent in driving "their" line, lap after lap, session after session
4) is aware of alll around him - flags/flag stations, track conditions, being critical of mistakes made, anticipating well the actions of the cars ahead of you AND behind you (ie, braking for T5 at SP and knowing if someone is going to collect you because they misjudge you etc)


BTW, which 914 was yours?