Lotus Elise menace dans le retro...

if you change down a gear you should blip the throttle (at the same time as brakeing) tobring up the revs before the clutch re-engages to avoid the engine braking locking the wheels and possbily damaging the gearbox in some cases too.

I was under the impression it was also used to keep turbo cars on boost during bends, but I'm probably talking made up rubbish.

I have always wanted to try heel and toeing, but I'm too unskilled and end up stepping on all the kittens pedals at once (not hard, its pretty crampt down there!), not aided by them all being different hights! the 306 is a simular lash up job in the pedal department, only with a french twist thrown in.

Actually that rings a bell, usually with hand brake though, not best in yorksire, and defo heel toe would be only wat with an MR2 or other craply handbraked cars!

Technique goes back to the days before gearboxes had synchromesh, when you HAD to double-declutch both up and down the box.

Largely unnecessary now unless A.your gearbox is shagged or B.you want everyone to think you're Walter Rohrl.

Try this video, I think this explains it fairly well:

When you change down in the Mira, it is quite a harsh change, but if you blip the throttle it changes very smoothly, so I did that and learned how to brake as well later (I used to brake, then off the brake, then blip the accelerator). What I tend to do is brake gently using the top of my foot on the bottom of the brake pedal, then twist my foot sideways while still on the brake to nudge on the accelerator slightly with my heel. It depends a lot on the pedal setup on your car too, on mine they're spaced quite close together, but some cars you might want to bend them like Slater says! Different shoes can help too, I'm loads better at doing it in my bendy loafers I wear for work than flat-soled trainers! Maybe try practicing while parked up?

It isn't that difficult to do in itself I think, but it looks pretty intimidating when done by experts because they can do it so quickly!! Wish I was that good, I'm not very good at it but need to start somewhere I guess!

helps to balance race cars through corners as well if you can keep power on while braking (you can alter the brake/power balance while moving and it also helps prevent wheel lock)

speeds up the whole process as well if you are not lifting feet from pedals.

I do that practically every journey in the winter 6 months, or when it rains.

My size 13s make light work of pressing the accelerator and brake at the same time though ;D

I'll have something new to try next time I go for a drive now

I do it because it's fun. And all the gearboxy stuff, too...

First time I thought it'd be a good idea was on the Eccleshall Road in Sheffield, busy rush hour traffic, in a beetle that wouldn't idle. Thought someone had hit me from behind, got such a kick in the back! Really weird that it feels so different....