Clutch-in Braking For Better Performance?

[Gator Bite]

Originally Posted by Larry Herman

My take on it? Pure and utter bullshit. Just another wrong idea that some genius came up with. The last thing that you want to do is be playing around with the clutch as you approach a turn, especially coming down from a high speed.

In fact, since most cars seem to have greater front brake bias, reving to 6K and downshifting will provide significant engine braking to help with deceleration. Let the slow guys do clutch-in braking.

I'm with you Larry. But be careful saying that in public. There are guys who have roasted me for suggesting that the engine can provide additional braking (at Planet 9).

I think that being smooth with the contol inputs will deliver far greater benefit (and speed) than the theoretical microscopic gain that you might be able to get by clutching before braking. This whole practice flies in the face of heel/toe downshifting and trail braking.

[Larry Herman]

Originally Posted by Gator Bite

I'm with you Larry. But be careful saying that in public. There are guys who have roasted me for suggesting that the engine can provide additional braking (at Planet 9).

I think that being smooth with the contol inputs will deliver far greater benefit (and speed) than the theoretical microscopic gain that you might be able to get by clutching before braking. This whole practice flies in the face of heel/toe downshifting and trail braking.

You are spot on about being smooth with the controls and maintaining car balance & grip. I'll bet the guys who promote this are the "Kings of the late brakers" who slam on the brakes at the absolute last second and then just park it going into the corner.

When guys like Leh Keen, David Murry or Andy Lally start doing it, then I'll take notice.