Shoes can cause shifting and launching problems.

[george]

We've all read where some members have a hard time shifting and miss gears. Well if your wearing the wrong shoes that could be the problem.

I wear Simpson racing shoes with a thin sole so I can feel the clutch and the pedal better.

Last week I saw a friend who was wearing some "running shoes", looked like blocks of rubber on his feet and he really had a hard time with the small pedals and missed gears several times. Not to mention he over staged twiced.

He was bitching about his clutch and I looked at his feet and said go barefoot this run and see if you do better. Anything is better then 2" of rubber between your foot and the pedals so you can feel what' the car. He did and ran a mid-12 in his 02 Z06. Came back with a smile and said your right, it's the shoes.

Hope this helps those who are having shifting problems. Just thought I'd mention it as many people overlook this problem.

[PowerShifter]

george, I always wear my cowboy boots to race. I have "problems" when I tryed nike. Ric

[NVGRWUP]

I've got some old Sperry TopSiders that work pretty well. Unfortunately they are a bit loose and my feet slop around in the shoes-not good. Are Simpson racing shoes comfortable? Do they breath well (my feet get hot on a long drive)?

[george]

Qsilver:

The shoes don't breath well. I wear topsiders to the track and change over there to the Simpson low tops. The topsiders
have thin soles but as mentioned are loose around the heel area.



I'd recommed them to be carried with your helmet in the trunk and change at the track like I do if your driving some distance to race. I only live about 5 miles from the track but still change.

[Chetah]

I use tennis shoes also. I have heard that wrestling shoes are a good alternative to those on a budget. Available at your local sporting goods store. I may have to try that.

[george]

Chetah:

Anything with a light thin sole so you can feel the clutch pedal and where it's ready to engage will work. I see no problem with your idea.

It's those Elton John type running shoes with 4" chunks of rubber for soles that make people have shifiting problems. As mentioned even boots work since they have thin soles and you can feel the pedals.

Good luck

[z06175mph]

I used the speedway b/c it fits better than sparco and is wider and has more padding.

[Chetah]

Originally posted by george
Chetah:

It's those Elton John type running shoes with 4" chunks of rubber for soles that make people have shifiting problems.

TOO FUNNY !!!!

[No Doubt]

Bought a pair of Piloti DTM PRO3-2 driving shoes this afternoon. These things are VERY comfortable. I know of several people who have them in fact.

The nice thing about them is they are quite comfortable even for normal wear unlike a pure racing shoe. (Sparco, Alpinstar, etc.)

[Zippy]

Great advice! I'm going to start shopping.

Now if I can just improve my reaction time, and clunky middle age reflexes, I should improve the 1/4 mile runs!

Zipster

[Reboot]

I thought I was the only one that couldn't drive with Nike's. I now have a pair of white canvas boat shoes with no arch and a very thin sole. I can feel the clutch really well with these if I wear them without socks.

I can't wait to try them at the track next Saturday.

[Kat]

I have I have G-force racing shoes and really notice a difference. I only wear them at the track because of the thin sole they hurt my feet.

I think that was the reason McRat cut another .10 off his times today

[JJC]

I have the Piloti's as well and they are great. Good feel and comfortable to walk around in as well.
Jim

[MikesZ06]

I been wearing my topsiders. No wonder I hadn't broke 11's yet .

[Hired Shoe]

i've found the same thing. i used to have some tactical boots that were solid fitting but i couldn't feel a thing. i now wear some regular tennis shoes while driving and i can get a better feel.