what exactly is a 'double clutch'?
 

my understanding is:

you're in first, (1) you pull the clutch out - (2) pull out of gear -
(3) put the clutch back in (4) pull it back out (5) move to second -
(6) put the clutch back in

if i've got this right - what is the purpose? i know that's the way it worked in the 20s but that was looonng ago.

"double clutching" is used to downshift not upshift.

I makes shifting on you tranny easier. I think you had to do it in manuals before they had syncros (?) not sure though.

Anyway, when you are in second, clutch, go to neutral, gas, clutch, go to first.

When you do it right, you'll rev the engine up to a speed so the shift is smooth and when you go in the lower gear your engine is already turning fast (like it would for the lower gear).

Hope that helps...

Oh yeah! Thank makes sense. I do that when I downshift on my motorcycle, keeps the engine from jumping too high in the rpm from the lower rpm, which prevents the bike from jumping behind you:p .

I always thought people in cars did it for the sound.

Yep, that's what some people think I'm doing when I do it. But I think it makes for a much smoother down shift.

Hey Wally where in St. Louis you live? I live in Chesterfield.

Do you ever go to gateway?

st charles actually. never been to gateway. i do want to go to the track this year though - i've never done it.

however i'd probably go out to mid america instead of gateway.

Heel and toe downshifting is especially helpful when entering corners so as not to make the rear slide out when you are downshifting. No need to double clutch to rev-match, though.