# Bare clutch pedal in racing car--why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 31, 2010, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168 "2010-01-31T22:31:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/1 "2010-01-31T22:31:51Z")
While watching(yet again) the movie _Gone in 60 seconds_ where Nicholas Cage is driving the Shelby GT 500, I notice in screen shots of his feet hitting the pedals, the clutch pedal is _bare_(no rubber grip). I _think_ I"ve noticed this before on cars that are supposed to be racing type cars. My General Question is–why are these pedals _bare metal?_. Seems like there’s always the chance your foot would slip off. Why no rubber pad? ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/2 "2010-01-31T22:35:26Z")
So your foot _WILL_ slip off and the gears will engage quicker than letting up with your leg. One just stomps on the clutch and shift and then skooches their foot to the side and it pops up. That’s why we did it back in my bracket racing days. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/3 "2010-01-31T22:37:11Z")
The pedal you saw had holes drilled in it, right? The holes in the bare metal pedal are punched through from behind, leaving a raised ridge around the hole on the side where you put your feet. This is for better grip on the soles of your racing shoes. What? Doesn’t everybody wear racing shoes? ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/4 "2010-01-31T22:51:01Z")
> [@ghardester](#): > > The pedal you saw had holes drilled in it, right? The holes in the bare metal pedal are punched through from behind, leaving a raised ridge around the hole on the side where you put your feet. > > This is for better grip on the soles of your racing shoes. > > What? Doesn’t everybody wear racing shoes? Racing shoes? Punched clutch pedals? You obviously were racing in the highfalutin’ league. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/5 "2010-02-01T01:22:01Z")
I’m not posting as an authority but I once attempeted to purchase a pair of fireproof racing shoes. The soles were all rubber and had nubs, like running shoes had in the 70’s and early eighties, so I don’t believe they would be required. Size 14D if you’re wondering. ---
**Author:** ![Zany\_Zeolite\_Zipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4af34b/32.png) [@Zany\_Zeolite\_Zipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zany_Zeolite_Zipper)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/6 "2010-02-02T03:24:23Z")
> [@ghardester](#): > > The pedal you saw had holes drilled in it, right? The holes in the bare metal pedal are punched through from behind, leaving a raised ridge around the hole on the side where you put your feet. > > This is for better grip on the soles of your racing shoes. > > What? Doesn’t everybody wear racing shoes? Some say he has ten toes on the bottom of his feet. Others say he has rubber soles. All we know is: he’s called the STIG! ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/7 "2010-02-02T03:27:51Z")
> [@ghardester](#): > > The pedal you saw had holes drilled in it, right? The holes in the bare metal pedal are punched through from behind, leaving a raised ridge around the hole on the side where you put your feet. > > This is for better grip on the soles of your racing shoes. > > What? Doesn’t everybody wear racing shoes? Yep this is exactly 100% true. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/8 "2010-02-02T04:50:14Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > So your foot _WILL_ slip off and the gears will engage quicker than letting up with your leg. One just stomps on the clutch and shift and then skooches their foot to the side and it pops up. > > That’s why we did it back in my bracket racing days. Never consciously noticed it before now, but my recall of footwells with shiny clutch pedals plus your explanation explains it all. ETA: Going for consistency, as a bracket racer should, was your left foot really more consistent than your right foot and an automatic trannie? Note to friends: In this case “trannie” refers to a transmission. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/9 "2010-02-02T05:02:50Z")
A superfluous extension. > [@Omegaman](#): > > I’m not posting as an authority but I once attempeted to purchase a pair of fireproof racing shoes. The soles were all rubber and had nubs, like running shoes had in the 70’s and early eighties, so I don’t believe they would be required. > > Size 14D if you’re wondering… > [@Pee Wee Herman](#): > > “So, big feet…” > [@Cowboy Curtis](#): > > …Big boots. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/10 "2010-02-02T05:03:51Z")
I will concede that some racing styles lend themselves to the “slippery” pedal explanation but the main reason is still as described by ghardester. I have seen and used racing shoes with little knobbies, they work fine and you can use a harder rubber sole which last longer than if they were just flat. But flat soles offer more feel and in combination with good pedals are ace. ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/11 "2010-02-02T14:16:56Z")
I can race just fine with rubber on the pedals. My son however can’t because of the size of his feet. He is a size 16 and can’t drive a standard. It is impossible for him to keep moving his left foot over enough to not ride the clutch. Before synchronized clutches this may have made a difference. I notice a big difference in the newer clutches being a lot more forgiving. Also the new sticks don’t break off as easily. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/12 "2010-02-02T14:34:19Z")
My current vehicle has metal pedals, including the clutch pedal. ( Infiniti G35 coupe, w/6 speed manual ) Pedals are similar to these. Notice the punched out holes: [http://www.autoaccessorystore.com/products/370\_b.jpg](http://www.autoaccessorystore.com/products/370_b.jpg) Rubber, by the way, is not slip proof. If the assumption here is that rubber is grippier than other metal options, that needs reconsideration. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/13 "2010-02-02T15:17:37Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Never consciously noticed it before now, but my recall of footwells with shiny clutch pedals plus your explanation explains it all. > > ETA: Going for consistency, as a bracket racer should, was your left foot really more consistent than your right foot and an automatic trannie? > > Note to friends: In this case “trannie” refers to a transmission. We started with a '68 Dodge Charger 383mag/4 speed. We learned pretty quickly that a 6 cyl Nova with a powerglide was far more consistent in the brackets. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/14 "2010-02-02T17:37:16Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > My current vehicle has metal pedals, including the clutch pedal. So does [mine](http://www.cars.com/features/autoshows/2009/newyork/coverage/images/2010_volkswagen_gti/2010_volkswagen_gti_7_430.jpg) (VW GTI), but it seems to me that this is done to give it more of a sporty look—fashion imitating the real race cars, no? ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/15 "2010-02-02T19:06:39Z")
That would be for fashion. ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/16 "2010-02-02T21:46:31Z")
Yep, bare metal with punched holes is just fashion, but I believe they actually did use them back in the day. Nowadays real racing pedals have a sandpaper-like surface: [http://www.cardwells.co.nz/images/Brands/Tilton/3ped.jpg](http://www.cardwells.co.nz/images/Brands/Tilton/3ped.jpg) > **[Iontogel | Togel Hongkong - Togel Singapore - Togel Sidney](https://autoshoppingcenter.com)** > > Togel sidney, togel singapore dan togel hongkong kini hadir untuk para pemain togel online. Iontogel sediakan semua permainan togel menguntungkan. [![](http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/images/PEDALC.jpg) ](http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/images/PEDALC.jpg) Sandpaper doesn’t look as cool as bare metal though ---
**Author:** ![bettyporkta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@bettyporkta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bettyporkta)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/17 "2010-02-02T23:02:15Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > Yep this is exactly 100% true. just out of curiosity, what’s the difference between “true”, and “exactly 100% true”…? :p:p ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/18 "2010-02-03T04:16:16Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > So does [mine](http://www.cars.com/features/autoshows/2009/newyork/coverage/images/2010_volkswagen_gti/2010_volkswagen_gti_7_430.jpg) (VW GTI), but it seems to me that this is done to give it more of a sporty look—fashion imitating the real race cars, no? Nice ride! I had a 94 Jetta. It was great to shift, almost effortless. Do you have trouble with your foot sliding off the pedal? I have had worn down pedals and if I wore flat bottom boots or if it was wet outside sometimes I would slide off. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/19 "2010-02-03T04:53:31Z")
> [@Perciful](#): > > Nice ride! > > I had a 94 Jetta. It was great to shift, almost effortless. Do you have trouble with your foot sliding off the pedal? I have had worn down pedals and if I wore flat bottom boots or if it was wet outside sometimes I would slide off. Thanks! The pedals actually have a bit of rubber in the holes, possibly a bit proud of the holes, so no slippage. It really is just for show in this car. I opted for the [dsg transmission](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct-Shift_Gearbox) (so my wife can drive it too), so there is no clutch pedal to slip off of—that shiny long pedal on the left is just a long foot rest. ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168/20 "2010-02-03T13:32:21Z")
Wow, Jetta’s have come a long way! My 94 turbo was a commuter car that I got to save gas or so I told myself. I just fell in love with it on the first test drive. It did have a lot of electrical issues at 100,000 miles which that article pointed out as being a problem. It was fast and fun to drive which helped with a long commute. Enjoy! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bare-clutch-pedal-in-racing-car-why/527168.md?page=2)