diff --git a/hosts/yarn/forza-trigger/forza_trigger.py b/hosts/yarn/forza-trigger/forza_trigger.py
index 18dc1b8..4cadb5d 100644
--- a/hosts/yarn/forza-trigger/forza_trigger.py
+++ b/hosts/yarn/forza-trigger/forza_trigger.py
@@ -75,6 +75,18 @@ output report at fixed offsets. That is exactly what we want.
    timeout), then mode 0x00 for steady-state pre-race / idle frames \u2014 motor
    stays released, no continuous retraction noise.
 
+5. Throttle gated on clutch state. Forza emits a `clutch` byte (0..255). When
+   the clutch is disengaged (byte > 128) the engine is mechanically disconnected
+   from the wheels and the throttle pedal can't transmit power; the trigger has
+   no business resisting. RacingDSX's throttle resistance formula is
+   `avgAccel = sqrt(0.25*X\u00b2 + 1.0*Z\u00b2)` derived from the accelerometer alone
+   with no clutch check, so the trigger keeps producing resistance from
+   cornering G-forces while the clutch is in. We bypass the throttle path
+   entirely when clutch > 128, releasing the trigger using the same one-shot-
+   then-steady pattern as divergence #4. Auto-clutch users will notice ~100 ms
+   trigger relaxations during shifts; that's actually physically accurate \u2014
+   the engine *is* momentarily disconnected during a shift.
+
 ## Threading note
 
 pydualsense's `sendReport` background thread reads `triggerR/L.mode` and
@@ -203,6 +215,16 @@ RPM_REDLINE_RATIO = 0.9  # Profile.RPMRedlineRatio
 GREEN_FLOOR = 50  # Math.Max(..., 50) on green channel in non-redline path
 RACE_OFF_RPM_FRAMES = 200  # ForzaParser.RPMAccumulatorTriggerRaceOff
 
+# --- Clutch gate (throttle only) ---------------------------------------------
+# Forza emits `clutch` 0..255 (0 = pedal up / engaged / engine connected to
+# wheels, 255 = pedal floored / fully disengaged). With the clutch disengaged
+# the throttle pedal is mechanically irrelevant \u2014 pressing it just revs the
+# engine without transmitting power. RacingDSX has no clutch gate, so its
+# `avgAccel = sqrt(0.25*X\u00b2 + 1.0*Z\u00b2)` formula keeps producing throttle
+# resistance from cornering G-forces even while the clutch is in.
+CLUTCH_DISENGAGE_THRESHOLD = 128
+
+
 # --- Reset on idle (UDP timeout) ---------------------------------------------
 # Not present in RacingDSX; an additional safety so the controller doesn't get
 # stuck if Forza is killed mid-race or the network drops.
@@ -405,12 +427,17 @@ def _safe(pkt: ForzaDataPacket, name: str, default: float = 0.0) -> float:
 
 
 class _TriggerState:
-    __slots__ = ("last_resistance", "last_freq")
+    __slots__ = ("last_resistance", "last_freq", "prev_clutched")
 
     def __init__(self, init_resistance: int) -> None:
         # Mirrors RacingDSX's `int lastThrottleResistance` / `int lastBrakeResistance`.
         self.last_resistance: int = int(init_resistance)
         self.last_freq: int = 0
+        # Throttle only: tracks last frame's clutch state so the throttle path
+        # can fire one-shot 0x05 (active retract) on the engaged-\u2192-disengaged
+        # transition and 0x00 (no-op) for steady-state held-in. See
+        # CLUTCH_DISENGAGE_THRESHOLD and divergence #5 in the module docstring.
+        self.prev_clutched: bool = False
 
 
 # --- Forza game-level persistent state (ForzaParser.cs fields) ----------------
@@ -526,7 +553,23 @@ def apply_lightbar_in_race(ds: pydualsense, pkt: ForzaDataPacket) -> None:
 
 
 def apply_right_trigger(ds: pydualsense, pkt: ForzaDataPacket, st: _TriggerState) -> None:
-    """Mirrors `Parser.GetInRaceRightTriggerInstruction()` line for line."""
+    """Mirrors `Parser.GetInRaceRightTriggerInstruction()` line for line, with
+    one divergence: the throttle is released when the clutch is disengaged.
+    See divergence #5 in the module docstring."""
+    # Clutch gate: 0..255, byte > 128 means "clutch fully or mostly pressed";
+    # engine is mechanically disconnected, so the throttle pedal can't transmit
+    # power and shouldn't have any feel. One-shot 0x05 on transition into the
+    # clutched state, then steady-state 0x00 to avoid the trigger-motor whine
+    # described in divergence #4.
+    if int(_safe(pkt, "clutch", 0.0)) > CLUTCH_DISENGAGE_THRESHOLD:
+        if not st.prev_clutched:
+            _apply_off(ds.triggerR)
+        else:
+            _apply_normal(ds.triggerR)
+        st.prev_clutched = True
+        return
+    st.prev_clutched = False
+
     accel_x = _safe(pkt, "acceleration_x")
     accel_z = _safe(pkt, "acceleration_z")
     avg_accel = math.sqrt(