Helmet cam video of Kevin Harvick testing at VIR and how do they shift so fast?

paradigm

paradigm

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When I went to Pocono last week, and especially during qualifying, I couldn't figure out how these guys shifted gears so fast. They went immediately from one gear into the next, almost as if they aren't using the clutch and a conventional stick shift. Can anyone explain?

Also here is a video of Harvick testing at VIR:
 
I don't think they do use the clutch when going through the gears...just back off the throttle.

I also noticed how relaxed his grip on the wheel seems to be. I'd have that thing bent into a triangle :D
 
No clutch needed, only for pit out and the rest of the time just grab it and shift. It has alot to do with how gears are cut in the tranny and keeping the RPM right. Rode motocross bikes for years and shifted the same way just barely cracking the throttle to shift.
 
Looking at his left leg, he clutches for the upshift every time, except when grabbing 4th. He doesn't seem to clutch for down shifting. It's easier to see his leg at the beginning of the video.
 
I didn't know VIR was THAT bumpy! And somebody was playing tag with the rumbles a little too much!
 
paradigm said:
When I went to Pocono last week, and especially during qualifying, I couldn't figure out how these guys shifted gears so fast. They went immediately from one gear into the next, almost as if they aren't using the clutch and a conventional stick shift. Can anyone explain?
Click to expand...

I imagine the shifter is like what my friend has in his supercharged SHO. It's called a short shifter. It's spring loaded so instead of the normal shift you throw the shifter to the next gear. You still have to use the clutch and I saw Harvick's left leg moving so I'm guessing it's a spring loaded shifter like my buddies.
 
Here's Boris Said using the clutch to downshift only. I think that whining sounds is the dog teeth, which makes it easier to shift without a clutch

 
Where is Larry Mac when you need him? Surely there is a forum techie who is going to fill everyone in on the shifter Nascar uses. I think that it's made by Jerico and doesn't need a clutch.
 
Nice video. You're the winner. Hardly any clutch while racing. Now I know how guys miss gears on restarts.
 
First manual I drove was a friend's military jeep. Still has the military paint under the black. Completely unsycnhronized inline 4 with a 1 barrel carb. transfer case sounded like it would blow up any minute in 4LO.

Shift pattern was
R 3
1 2
 
Magnethead said:
First manual I drove was a friend's military jeep. Still has the military paint under the black. Completely unsycnhronized inline 4 with a 1 barrel carb. transfer case sounded like it would blow up any minute in 4LO.

Shift pattern was
R 3
1 2
Click to expand...

Did it happen to have Three shift levers? One trans, One Transfer case and one two speed/splitter box? Thats what I learned to drive in, it was my Dads.
 
Some of the guys on my truck forum have trucks with 3-on-the-tree. They leave the keys in them on the floor because none of the kids nowadays even know how to drive them :D
 
FlFlash said:
Did it happen to have Three shift levers? One trans, One Transfer case and one two speed/splitter box? Thats what I learned to drive in, it was my Dads.
Click to expand...
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05-16-07015.jpg
 
BobbyFord said:
Some of the guys on my truck forum have trucks with 3-on-the-tree. They leave the keys in them on the floor because none of the kids nowadays even know how to drive them :D
Click to expand...

The Ford half tons where famous for the linkage locking so someone had to climb underneath and unlock them.
 
Upshift:

Full Throttle, grab gear, breathe throttle (to unload the transmission) + pull shifter out of gear and put it in new gear, full throttle

Downshift: Brake, grab shifter, as you push/pull on shifter blip the throttle to unload the transmission, put it in new gear

Done.
 
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