2 Reasons Why Paddle Shifted Gearboxes Are Awesome [TECH TALK]

Using the twin-turbocharged 800HP & 1000kg GT-R powered Ford Focus for the example, we're going to dive into just some of the benefits of a paddle-shifted gearbox setup.

While driving purists may feel technology like this can take away from the racing experience or even driver skill levels, there is no arguing with the fact that in motorsport a correctly setup paddle-shifted gearbox is going to improve driver performance, be easier on components and offer quicker lap times.

The ability to up-shift and downshift without the need to manually engage the clutch of rev-match is not only faster but in the case of this turbocharged Pikes Peak hill climb contender with its twin Garrett GT30 turbochargers, it means boost levels can be maintained keeping as much power as possible being produced.

Conversely, when it's time to slow for a corner, left-foot braking is easier for the driver giving them much better control over braking pressures. As demonstrated care of the V8 Supercar Series, even professional drivers at the top of their game will see brake pressure discrepancies when trying to heel-toe on downshifts which is marginal for one lap, but certainly adds up over time.

The MoTeC ECU controlled paddle shifter is only one piece of the puzzle however, with the likes of Holinger Engineering MFT 6 speed transaxles and their sequential dog engagement gearsets offering quick and seamless shifting as explained here by Andre along with the requirement of high-speed data logging in order to get the system dialled in perfectly.

While these setups are not enjoyed by everyone, nor in the budget of the average club enthusiast, they have a firm place in the world of motorsports for those that wish to take advantage of their benefits. Despite those benefits, a paddle-shifted box can help a driver focus, but changing gears is only one part of getting fast and consistent lap times or making it up the side of a mountain like Pikes Peak in one piece and at the limit.

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