3 Touge Techniques you should learn

Introduction

I’m an avid Touge enthusiast, as I’ve mentioned in previous articles, the thrill of navigating winding mountain roads at full thottle is unmatched.

For me, it’s been that way since I earned my driver’s license and bought my first car, a 98 Citroen Xantia.

Since then, I’ve been in love with driving the touge.

The term “Touge” refers to Japan’s mountain passes, where drivers push their skills and cars to the limit.

The challenge lies not only in the road itself but also in mastering the driving techniques essential for safety and performance.

In this article, I will delve into three critical techniques every Touge driver should learn: Heel & Toe, Trail Braking, and Left Foot Braking.

These skills are vital for maintaining control, optimizing speed, and ensuring a smooth weight transfer through the sharp, winding turns of Touge roads.

Allegedly, I enjoy driving my Mazda Miata NB through these mountain roads during the quiet hours, at night, when traffic is sparse.

The serene yet adrenaline-pumping experience of these late-night drives has given me a profound appreciation for the precision and finesse required in Touge driving.

I consider the touge as the final challenge for any driver, since tracks are designed for speed, but mountain passes have been designed to adapt roads alongside mountains.

On the touge, you have to adapt to the environment, while on the track, the road is adapted to you.

Whether you’re a seasoned driver or a newcomer, understanding and mastering these techniques will elevate your driving prowess and make your Touge adventures evolve to the next level.

Weight Transfer is THE KEY

Weight transfer is a pivotal concept in performance driving, particularly in the context of Touge racing, where sharp, winding roads demand precise control and stability.

Understanding how weight shifts within a vehicle during acceleration, braking, and cornering is essential for mastering driving techniques and maintaining optimal grip.

Weight Transfer Dynamics

In any vehicle, weight shifts from one part of the car to another based on the driver’s inputs.

During acceleration, weight moves towards the rear; during braking, it shifts to the front; and during cornering, it moves towards the outside wheels.

This dynamic redistribution of weight impacts traction and stability, influencing how the car handles.

Layouts and Traction Types

Different vehicle layouts—Mid-Engine Rear-Wheel Drive (MR), Front-Engine Front-Wheel Drive (FF), Front-Engine Rear-Wheel Drive (FR), and All-Wheel Drive (AWD)—react differently to weight transfer due to their design and the distribution of power.

Mid-Engine Rear-Wheel Drive (MR)

In MR layouts, the engine is located near the center of the vehicle, providing a balanced weight distribution.

This configuration allows for excellent handling and stability, as the weight is more evenly distributed between the front and rear axles. During acceleration, the rear wheels benefit from increased grip due to the rearward weight transfer, while the front wheels handle steering with less load, maintaining precision.

Front-Engine Front-Wheel Drive (FF)

In FF vehicles, the engine is located at the front, and the front wheels handle both steering and power delivery.

This layout benefits from having more weight over the driven wheels, enhancing traction.

However, it also requires careful management of weight transfer to maintain grip. During braking and cornering, transferring weight to the front wheels is crucial to keep them planted and ensure they can effectively steer and accelerate. In an FF car, focusing on smooth weight transitions helps prevent understeer and maximizes grip.

Front-Engine Rear-Wheel Drive (FR)

FR layouts have the engine at the front and power delivered to the rear wheels.

This setup offers a balance between grip and handling, with the front wheels dedicated to steering and the rear wheels to acceleration.

Effective weight transfer in an FR car involves managing the rearward shift during acceleration to enhance rear-wheel grip while ensuring enough weight remains on the front wheels to maintain steering precision. Braking shifts weight forward, aiding in corner entry stability.

All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

AWD systems distribute power to all four wheels, providing superior traction and stability. Weight transfer in AWD cars requires a nuanced approach, as the system balances power delivery across all wheels.

During acceleration, weight shifts to the rear, enhancing rear traction, but the front wheels also receive power, necessitating balanced weight management. In cornering, AWD benefits from the ability to transfer power between wheels, requiring the driver to maintain smooth inputs to ensure all wheels remain engaged and effective.

Role of Front and Rear Axles

Regardless of the layout, the front and rear axles play distinct roles in vehicle dynamics:

• Front Axles: Responsible for steering and, in some cases, power delivery. Maintaining grip on the front wheels is critical for directional control and effective acceleration in FF and AWD vehicles.
• Rear Axles: Primarily handle power delivery in FR and MR layouts. Ensuring sufficient weight on the rear wheels during acceleration maximizes traction and stability.

Maintaining Stability in Corners

In Touge racing, where corners are tight and frequent, understanding and managing weight transfer is paramount.

Properly transferring weight to the appropriate wheels during different driving phases ensures maximum grip and stability.

For instance, in an FF car, emphasizing weight transfer to the front during braking and cornering maintains front-wheel grip, essential for both steering and acceleration.

Effective weight management not only enhances cornering performance but also reduces the risk of understeer or oversteer, common issues that can lead to loss of control.

By mastering weight transfer techniques, drivers can navigate the demanding Touge roads with greater confidence and precision.

Understanding the importance of weight transfer lays the foundation for mastering the driving techniques discussed in this article.

In the following sections, we’ll delve into specific methods—Heel & Toe, Trail Braking, and Left Foot Braking—that utilize these principles to enhance your Touge driving experience.

Heel & Toe

Heel & Toe is a fundamental technique in the realm of performance driving, especially vital for the demanding conditions of Touge racing.

That’s why I even 3d printed an adapter that let’s me perform this technique on my Mazda Miata, despite the small space.

This technique involves using both the heel and the toe of the right foot to operate the brake and throttle simultaneously during downshifting.

The objective is to match the engine speed to the wheel speed, ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining vehicle stability.

To perform the Heel & Toe maneuver, the driver must position their foot in a way that allows for precise control over both pedals. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Approach the Corner: As you approach the corner, apply the brake with the ball of your right foot. This begins the deceleration process.
2. Clutch and Downshift: Depress the clutch with your left foot and select the appropriate lower gear with the gear shifter.
3. Blip the Throttle: While maintaining brake pressure with the ball of your right foot, pivot your foot to the right and use the heel (or side) to quickly press the throttle. This “blip” of the throttle matches the engine speed to the wheel speed of the lower gear.
4. Engage the Gear: Release the clutch smoothly to engage the lower gear. The car should now be in the correct gear for the corner, with the engine speed perfectly matched to the vehicle speed.
5. Navigate the Turn: Continue to modulate the brake as needed and steer through the corner, ready to accelerate out of the turn.

In Touge racing, the Heel & Toe technique is crucial for managing weight transfer.

Proper weight distribution is essential when navigating the sharp, tight corners typical of mountain passes. By rev-matching during downshifts, you prevent unsettling the car’s balance, which could lead to loss of traction or stability.

Smooth transitions ensure that the weight remains balanced over the front and rear wheels, maintaining maximum grip and control.

• FF Layout (Front-Engine, Front-Wheel Drive): In an FF vehicle, weight transfer to the front is critical during braking and downshifting to maintain grip on the front wheels, which handle both steering and acceleration.
• FR Layout (Front-Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive): For FR cars, managing the rearward weight shift during acceleration while ensuring sufficient front wheel load for steering is key.
• MR Layout (Mid-Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive): MR cars benefit from balanced weight distribution, but precise weight transfer still enhances stability and grip during transitions.
• AWD Layout (All-Wheel Drive): AWD systems require balanced weight transfer to optimize traction across all four wheels, especially during acceleration and cornering.

Mastering Heel & Toe offers several advantages:

• Improved Stability: By matching the engine speed to the wheel speed, you avoid sudden jolts or shifts in weight, which can unsettle the car.
• Enhanced Control: Maintaining a smooth transition during downshifts keeps the car balanced, allowing for precise cornering.
• Increased Longevity of Components: Smooth downshifts reduce wear and tear on the transmission and drivetrain components, preserving the longevity of your vehicle.

Practical Tips and Common Mistakes

When learning Heel & Toe, practice is paramount. Start in a safe, controlled environment before applying the technique on the Touge. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Foot Positioning: Ensure your right foot can comfortably pivot between the brake and throttle. Each car is different, so adjust your technique to fit your vehicle.
• Throttle Precision: The throttle blip should be quick and precise. Too much or too little throttle can disrupt the balance.
• Smooth Clutch Release: Release the clutch smoothly to avoid any jerky movements that can unsettle the car.

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Over-braking: Applying too much brake pressure can cause the rear wheels to lose traction, especially in rear-wheel-drive cars like the Mazda Miata.
• Under-revving: Failing to blip the throttle adequately will result in engine braking, which can destabilize the car during corner entry.
• Rushed Movements: Take your time to ensure each step is smooth and deliberate. Rushing can lead to mistakes and potential loss of control.

Trail Braking

Trail braking is another critical technique in the arsenal of a proficient Touge driver. This technique involves maintaining brake pressure while entering a corner, gradually releasing it as you approach the apex.

The purpose of trail braking is to manage weight transfer and maximize grip during corner entry, allowing for a smoother and more controlled turn.

The Mechanics of Trail Braking

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to execute trail braking:

1. Initial Braking: Begin braking in a straight line before entering the corner. This initial braking phase should be firm and deliberate to decelerate effectively.
2. Entering the Corner: As you start to turn into the corner, gradually reduce brake pressure. This helps to transfer weight smoothly from the front to the rear of the car.
3. Approaching the Apex: Continue to ease off the brakes as you near the apex of the corner. By this point, the car should be balanced, with weight distributed optimally between the front and rear wheels.
4. Throttle Application: Once you reach the apex, begin to apply the throttle smoothly to accelerate out of the corner. The goal is to have transitioned completely off the brake by this stage, allowing the car to use all available grip for acceleration.

Importance of Weight Transfer

Trail braking plays a crucial role in managing weight transfer during cornering.

The gradual release of brake pressure shifts weight from the front to the rear, maintaining front-end grip for steering while preventing the rear from becoming too light and losing traction.

This balance is essential for navigating the tight, twisty roads of Touge.

• FF Layout (Front-Engine, Front-Wheel Drive): In FF cars, trail braking helps keep the front wheels planted, ensuring they maintain their dual role of steering and accelerating effectively.
• FR Layout (Front-Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive): For FR cars, maintaining some weight on the front wheels during corner entry is crucial for steering response, while the rear wheels benefit from the gradual shift of weight for improved traction on corner exit.
• MR Layout (Mid-Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive): MR cars, with their balanced weight distribution, particularly benefit from the smooth weight transition that trail braking provides, enhancing both stability and grip.
• AWD Layout (All-Wheel Drive): In AWD cars, balanced weight transfer ensures that all four wheels maintain optimal grip, maximizing the advantages of the drivetrain’s power distribution.

Benefits of Trail Braking

Mastering trail braking offers several key advantages:

• Enhanced Corner Entry: By keeping weight on the front wheels, trail braking improves steering response and allows for a tighter, more controlled turn.
• Increased Grip: Gradually transferring weight helps maintain traction on all four wheels, reducing the likelihood of understeer or oversteer.
• Improved Balance: The smooth transition from braking to acceleration maintains vehicle stability, crucial for high-speed cornering on Touge roads.

Practical Tips and Common Mistakes

Here are some practical tips for mastering trail braking:

• Smoothness is Key: The transition from braking to cornering should be seamless. Jerky movements can upset the car’s balance.
• Brake Modulation: Learn to modulate brake pressure precisely. Too much pressure can cause understeer, while too little can lead to oversteer.
• Practice in Stages: Start by practicing the initial braking and gradual release in a straight line before incorporating the turning phase.

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Late Braking: Braking too late can result in excessive speed entering the corner, making it difficult to modulate brake pressure smoothly.
• Abrupt Release: Suddenly releasing the brakes can cause the rear of the car to become unstable, leading to loss of control.
• Ignoring Weight Transfer: Failing to understand and manage weight transfer can negate the benefits of trail braking, reducing its effectiveness.

By incorporating trail braking into your driving technique, you can enhance your control and precision, making your Touge driving experience safer and more exhilarating.

This skill, combined with an understanding of weight transfer, will allow you to navigate even the most challenging corners with confidence and finesse.

Left foot braking

Left foot braking is a technique where the driver uses their left foot to operate the brake pedal while the right foot remains on the throttle.

This method is particularly advantageous in front-wheel drive (FF), mid-engine rear-wheel drive (MR), and all-wheel drive (AWD) layouts.

However, in front-engine rear-wheel drive (FR) cars, it can be less effective or even counterproductive.

The Mechanics of Left Foot Braking

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to execute left foot braking:

1. Approach the Corner: As you approach the corner, keep your right foot on the throttle to maintain engine speed.
2. Apply Brake with Left Foot: Gradually apply the brake with your left foot. This helps to decelerate the car while keeping the engine revs up, maintaining turbo boost if applicable.
3. Balance Throttle and Brake: Modulate the pressure on the brake and throttle to control the car’s speed and balance through the corner.
4. Release Brake and Accelerate: As you reach the apex of the corner, gradually release the brake and apply more throttle to accelerate out of the turn.

Importance of Weight Transfer

Left foot braking plays a crucial role in managing weight transfer, especially in FF, MR, and AWD cars.

By applying the brake while maintaining throttle input, you can fine-tune the balance of the car and keep the front wheels planted, which is essential for effective steering and traction.

• FF Layout (Front-Engine, Front-Wheel Drive): In FF cars, left foot braking helps keep the front wheels loaded, enhancing their grip for both steering and acceleration. This is particularly useful in tight corners where maintaining front-end traction is critical.
• MR Layout (Mid-Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive): For MR cars, left foot braking aids in balancing the already well-distributed weight, improving stability and grip through the turn.
• AWD Layout (All-Wheel Drive): In AWD cars, this technique helps distribute power and weight effectively across all four wheels, maximizing traction and control.

However, in an FR car, using left foot braking can upset the balance. Since the rear wheels handle the power delivery, braking with the left foot while accelerating with the right can lead to instability and a loss of rear-end traction.

In fact, in my Honda Civic, which is an FF car and my faithful companion alongside my Miata NB, I have noticed the significant benefits of left foot braking in tight corners.

It helps prevent the front end from pushing wide and maintains a tight line through the turn, a stark contrast to the tendency of an FR car to become unsettled with this technique.

Benefits of Left Foot Braking

Mastering left foot braking offers several advantages:

• Improved Cornering: By maintaining a balance between braking and throttle, you can keep the car stable and responsive through corners.
• Enhanced Control: This technique allows for more precise control over the car’s speed and balance, particularly useful in tight and technical sections of Touge roads.
• Maintained Turbo Boost: For turbocharged cars, left foot braking helps maintain boost pressure, ensuring immediate power delivery when exiting the corner.

Practical Tips and Common Mistakes

Here are some practical tips for mastering left foot braking:

• Start Slow: Begin practicing left foot braking at low speeds to get accustomed to using your left foot for braking.
• Smooth Inputs: Ensure that your brake inputs are smooth and gradual to avoid upsetting the car’s balance.
• Consistent Practice: Regular practice is essential to develop muscle memory and coordination between your feet.

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Jerky Movements: Abrupt or jerky brake inputs can destabilize the car, especially in FR layouts.
• Over-braking: Applying too much brake pressure can reduce the effectiveness of the throttle input, leading to loss of speed and control.
• Lack of Coordination: Failing to coordinate throttle and brake inputs can result in inconsistent performance and potential loss of traction.

By incorporating left foot braking into your driving repertoire, especially in FF, MR, and AWD cars, you can significantly enhance your control and precision.

This technique, when mastered, will provide you with the tools needed to navigate the most challenging Touge roads with finesse and confidence.

Conclusion

Mastering the techniques of Heel & Toe, Trail Braking, and Left Foot Braking is essential for any serious Touge enthusiast.

These skills not only enhance your driving performance but also significantly improve your control and safety on the challenging mountain roads that define Touge racing.

By understanding and applying these techniques, you can transform your driving experience, making it both exhilarating and precise.

Learning these techniques requires patience, practice, and a deep understanding of your vehicle’s dynamics. Each method—Heel & Toe, Trail Braking, and Left Foot Braking—serves a specific purpose and offers unique benefits:

• Heel & Toe: This technique is vital for smooth downshifts and maintaining vehicle stability through balanced weight transfer. It’s particularly useful in keeping the car stable and enhancing control during corner entry.
• Trail Braking: Essential for managing weight transfer during cornering, trail braking allows for a smoother transition through tight turns, maintaining grip and preventing understeer or oversteer.
• Left Foot Braking: While especially beneficial in FF, MR, and AWD cars, this technique aids in maintaining balance and control, ensuring that the car remains stable through corners by keeping the front wheels loaded and maintaining traction.

To fully master these techniques, continuous practice is essential. Start in a controlled environment and gradually apply what you’ve learned to the real-world conditions of Touge roads.

Understand how your car reacts to each technique and refine your skills accordingly.

Remember, smoothness and precision are key to effective driving.

Touge racing is as much about skill and technique as it is about passion and enthusiasm.

Whether you’re navigating the serene mountain passes in the early hours with a Mazda Miata or tackling tight corners in a Honda Civic, the mastery of these techniques will elevate your driving experience.

Embrace the learning process, enjoy the thrill of the touge, and continue to push the boundaries of your abilities.

By integrating Heel & Toe, Trail Braking, and Left Foot Braking into your driving repertoire, you’ll be well-equipped to handle the demanding roads of Touge with confidence and finesse.

Keep practicing, stay safe, and most importantly, enjoy every moment behind the wheel.

PS: Recommended lecture for any performance driver out there: Ultimate Speed Secrets.