#75: The Blips.

You see the turn approaching fast, a tight, mid/low speed right hander.

Coming in on the outside, your foot hard on the accelerator up until the very last moment. You move to the middle pedal in an instant and step down firm. ABS on the very brink of clicking in, the foot shifts over to the right, right edge of the sole just covering the left edge of the accelerator.

Your left foot covers the clutch the entire time. Left hand moves from steering wheel to gearstick.

Ball of right foot still on brake pedal and never changing pressure, you tilt the foot sideways, making contact with the accelerator pedal.

At the exact same time, the left foot goes down on the clutch.

The shaft disengages. Left hand shifts down into third gear. Accelerator pedal goes down just enough to bring back lost revs. Left foot goes back up. Everything meshes, there is no judder. Third gear engaged.

Still on the brakes, you repeat once more to enter second gear.

All of the above occurs within a second, covering a distance of less than ten metres travelled. As soon as second gear is engaged, your foot moves off the brake and onto the accelerator. Only then do you make the turn into the bend. The engine never leaves the power-band.

Everything is progressive, smooth. There is no stamping or yanking. Turns are fluid, pedal action is firm but gradual. Full throttle is only engaged after you clip the apex, you're back in third gear before the exit of the turn. Fourth gear comes less than three seconds later.

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I've made a post like this before... almost exactly like this.

But I passed two Lupo GTi's today and Goddamn! It made me pang for my old car once more... (><)