Abstract: A gear shifting mechanism and method are provided for change-speed gearboxes of motor vehicles with braking of an input shaft of the gearbox during engagement of reverse gear. The gearbox includes a gearbox housing, a shifter shaft radially pivotably and axially slidably supported by the housing. A plurality of shifter forks are supported by the shifter shaft. A reverse fork includes an arm having a groove. A shifter rod is supported by the housing adjacent the shifter shaft. A shifter finger is supported by the shifter rod. The finger is engageable in the groove of the arm to selectively move the reverse fork. A shift interlock is substantially axially fixed to the housing. The interlock includes a blocking plate rotatable with the shift finger to selectively block movement of a shifter fork. An interlock connector releasably connects the shift interlock for axial movement with the shifter finger or the shifter shaft to axially move the forward shifter fork during engagement of reverse gear.