Ive heard mixed opinions on this and i am looking for some insight. I have heard people say that there is never a need to shift fast in the s and even if you do so it will be no faster than a slow precise shift because of the delay in waiting for the synchros to do their job. I find this hard to believe and want to know which is truly the faster method of shifting? What do you guys do at the track?

 

plan out the course so that you know what gears and options you have going into the track... each track is different.. I wouldn't risk the transmission for fast.. or.. i'll say, i'm quick enough for my shifting.. I like precise.. so smooth transitions work best for my shifting.. not really slow either.. seems to be a few too many missed shifts from some whom apparently might have reacted too fast... I dk...

 

How bad do you want to shave those tenths of seconds?

 

Have you driven an S2000? Don't rely on belief.

 

I do slow and precise. I've done a couple of mis-shifts, which luckily did not turn into $$$$$$$$-shifts.

If i'm half a second slower per lap around the track because i'm shifting slower, so be it. One bad mis-shift and you're going to be infinitely slower if your motor grenades itself.

It's HPDE, or at most, some sort of amateur level TT at stake. There probably isn't $50K+ on the line with sponsorships and everything that should really warrant you needing to chase those specific tenths you might gain. There are a lot of other areas to make up time that are potentially less detrimental to the longevity of your car.

 

Shift with your wrist, so even if you screw up you're not throwing enough force to keep the transmission in gear. It'll just pop out and you'll largely be safe.

 

as fast as you can without upsetting the car. Jerky shifts cost more time than smooth shifts

 

Slow is smooth
Smooth is fast

 

Thanks. I'll start doing that. I haven't had a mis-shift in 2+ years now since I decided to slow it down (knocks on wood). The mis-shifts happened in my first year tracking the s2k in 2011.

 

For what it's worth, a pro racer taught me, "Never 'hold' the shifter with a closed hand, and you won't mis-shift." Use your open palm to push into 1,3,5 and open fingers to pull into 2,4,6. Use the detent to push straight up/down for 3,4; push/pull left for 1,2; and push/pull right for 5,6. I've not even come close to a mis-shift since.