Auto X techniques

[mojoyaris]

20 years ago when I got into Autox we used to use left foot braking alot in the old Datsun 510s and Corolla's running about 150 hp (alot back then). It worked keeping the throttle on. I've timed it in my Yaris which after using the coilovers I just accelerate through the slalom instead of steering with the throttle. By the time I get to the last cone (lets say it's a 5 cone slalom) I get enough oversteer the rear just tucks around and it gets me to the next element. I never use left foot braking competitively. (besides, I can't get it to work on this car).

In my rally days. I used to left foot brake alot. My favourite usage was getting the car over railroad tracks or bridges where I'd tap the brakes just before the bridge or or tracks. This would unweight the front end and save it from being bashed to hard. This way, it would hopefully last for another stage. Another method for this we used to use it to get it to unbalance the car to get it around a longer sweeper but had to scrub off some speed. Yank the steering wheel from left to right (or vice versa) and make the turn with slight opposite lock and playing the throttle to steer it around (I used this technique for the 710 and 510's which were both rear wheel drive).

I have tried various laps at our last test n tune with and without the left foot technique. (I can use it about 3 times before the pedal jams up.). The difference was mixed. So if it works or doesn't work in getting a better time I'll never know until I can get more runs with experiments. It does do one thing. For times when you want to keep up the revs, need to slow down a bit but not enough to change into first gear.

Another technique I use for tighter turns like a hairpin. I'll use the ole heel and toe technique to gear down and brake for the turn while keeping the revs up for another launch out of the turn. (If you have an LSD this is better, otherwise you're just spinning your right tire!!).

It might work for some, maybe not for others.
I'm old school. Was taught to double clutch and do clutchless gear shifts etc.

So any tips would be helpful with these new cars.