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bestwheelbase · 11-11-2012, 01:17 PM

Great info and support in this thread. :happy0180:

@Veloist, when first learning you want to remove unnecessary variables so you can initially focus on basic inputs: clutch engagement, throttle input, shifting gears. Hills are great, but consider those a "Day Two" adventure. Traffic is great, but not while you're focusing on other things. Start on a flat surface away from public roads. Big empty parking lots are the best (think shopping center or church).

Here's a good starting point: First, learn that it doesn't take much throttle to get a stationary car moving. Just let the clutch out and start rolling without touching the throttle. Then shift up into 2nd, still without throttle. Do that until it gets boring. Now hold the revs at 1,000rpm and do the same exercise. This is not a drag race, just keep revs constant and get the car moving. Then shift up into 2nd. By this point you'll have a much better feel for the interplay between clutch engagement and throttle position/load. Like @serialk11r was saying, it's good to focus on how these two things work together. My addition is that you start with one being constant to get a feel for it. Then you can start playing with accelerating during take-off.

Maybe your dad is a great teacher (does he normally drive stick?) but if not, I would definitely take up @einzlr on her offer. She's clearly a good communicator and has much experience shifting gears.

11-11-2012, 01:17 PM	#9
bestwheelbase Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: 1985 P-Type Location: Nashville, TN, USA Posts: 3,710 Thanks: 3,273 Thanked 2,058 Times in 1,098 Posts Mentioned: 50 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Great info and support in this thread. :happy0180: @Veloist, when first learning you want to remove unnecessary variables so you can initially focus on basic inputs: clutch engagement, throttle input, shifting gears. Hills are great, but consider those a "Day Two" adventure. Traffic is great, but not while you're focusing on other things. Start on a flat surface away from public roads. Big empty parking lots are the best (think shopping center or church). Here's a good starting point: First, learn that it doesn't take much throttle to get a stationary car moving. Just let the clutch out and start rolling without touching the throttle. Then shift up into 2nd, still without throttle. Do that until it gets boring. Now hold the revs at 1,000rpm and do the same exercise. This is not a drag race, just keep revs constant and get the car moving. Then shift up into 2nd. By this point you'll have a much better feel for the interplay between clutch engagement and throttle position/load. Like @serialk11r was saying, it's good to focus on how these two things work together. My addition is that you start with one being constant to get a feel for it. Then you can start playing with accelerating during take-off. Maybe your dad is a great teacher (does he normally drive stick?) but if not, I would definitely take up @einzlr on her offer. She's clearly a good communicator and has much experience shifting gears. Last edited by bestwheelbase; 11-11-2012 at 02:06 PM.