I have always seen good drivers downshift as they enter a corner, and have done so myself. But doing so either requires heel-toeing to keep braking while downshifting with appropriate throttle, or repeatedly stopping braking for a second to engage each lower gear with some throttle. If I could just flip a paddle while slowing down, it would be fine, but since I have to heel-toe or move my foot off the brake, it really is clumsy.
So instead, lately I have been just leaving the car in whatever gear I was in while braking as I enter a corner or exit ramp, downshifting to whatever exit gear I want as I am cornering (when I would not be using the brake or throttle since I am putting the tires to work on maximum turning) and then coming off the clutch in that new gear as I start accelerating out of the corner. It seems to work quite well, no matter how many gears I drop down at once in that shift. Can anyone think of a reason not to do this? There must be one, or I wouldn't see so many drivers downshifting while braking...
Chip
So instead, lately I have been just leaving the car in whatever gear I was in while braking as I enter a corner or exit ramp, downshifting to whatever exit gear I want as I am cornering (when I would not be using the brake or throttle since I am putting the tires to work on maximum turning) and then coming off the clutch in that new gear as I start accelerating out of the corner. It seems to work quite well, no matter how many gears I drop down at once in that shift. Can anyone think of a reason not to do this? There must be one, or I wouldn't see so many drivers downshifting while braking...
Chip