Sometimes the ability to have more power in a lower gear, gives you in a way, more control over whats going on... Taking that corner in 2nd is gonna be more fun, yes, but the idea of hitting the apex and powering out of the turn in 2nd as opposed to a higher gear at a lower RPM will give you the sense of a lack of control. You guys get me? Staying in the upper RPMs where there is more available power, will give you the necessary control over speed, which in turn, will give you more control over whats going on. Maybe I'm wrong about this, but there has to be an explanation why the hell I shifted back into 1st, swerved to the left, and then romped my way out of almost being hit. I didnt almost cause an accident, the guy was headed for me, BLIND. Either way we didnt die, my car is fine, and yeah I downshifted to get the hell out of there!