What is rev matching?

Rev matching, also known as throttle blipping, is a technique used in manual transmission cars where the driver blips the throttle to match the speed of the engine to the speed of the wheels. The purpose of rev matching is to enable smooth downshifting, resulting in less wear and tear on the transmission, and a more comfortable ride for the passengers. By applying throttle, the engine RPMs are raised, which matches the transmission input shaft speed more closely to that of the engine, making the downshift smoother. Rev matching is particularly useful when the driver wants to downshift for more aggressive acceleration or better engine braking, without upsetting the balance of the car. It is also commonly used in motorsports like drifting and track driving, where drivers need to make quick and precise gear changes.