Handbrake Turn

Discussion in 'Autocross/Road Racing' started by nevinsrt, Jan 28, 2008.

  1. nevinsrt

    nevinsrt Getaway driver for hire

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    It is possible to turn the car a full 180 degrees to face the opposite direction by performing what is known as a handbrake turn. Some colorful folks even call it a bootlegger's hairpin. In effect, it is essentially a U-turn done in the space of two lanes of road without resorting to tedious three-point turns. It is a very easy technique. However, to do it safely and accurately takes practice.



    Handbrake turns are the easiest to perform with a front-wheel-drive car, although any car will do. A Kia Rio will be just as effective as a Chevy Corvette. To pull off this maneuver, drive along at about 30 to 35 mph, in first or second gear. Too slow and you won't be able to complete a 180. Any faster and you will start going backwards after you complete the turn. The exact speed depends on road conditions and the type and condition of tires on your car.


    Position one hand on the steering wheel in a way that will allow you to quickly turn it one full circle. This basically means that, on a left-hand-drive car, you place your left hand on the right side of the steering wheel, ready to flick the wheel around quickly. The exact positioning will depend on which way you want to turn. Also, with a manual car, keep one hand on the handbrake with the release button already pressed (but with an automatic, shift into neutral first, then get ready with the handbrake). Now, the key here is to start turning before you pull the handbrake. Ease off on the accelerator, floor the clutch (or in the case of an automatic, go into neutral) and quickly yank the steering wheel smoothly either left or right (or on whichever side you have more space to make a turn) until it locks. A split second after you start turning, quickly yank the handbrake lever (or, as with most American cars, apply the foot-operated e-brake), locking the rear wheels completely. At this point, you will start rotating and really feel the lateral G building up. As you are rotating, you should gradually bring your steering wheel to the center again and straighten out your front wheels. In the end, you will more or less be facing the opposite direction, at a complete stop, or moving backwards slowly. You can judiciously apply the normal foot brake (or not at all) to control the end of the rotation precisely and stop moving backwards.

    If you're feeling particularly destructive, you could go one up. While rotating, when you've completed about three-fourth of the 180 with the clutch pedal depressed, shift into first gear, release the handbrake (or e-brake), floor the accelerator and dump the clutch, performing all one by one quickly. You will start moving again as you complete the turn, spinning your wheels and kicking up some tire smoke if you have enough power. If you spin more than 180 degrees, you can apply some countersteer to straighten out your car while driving away. With an automatic, just move from neutral to Drive, then floor the accelerator.


    Just remember - for manual cars, depress the clutch, turn, pull the handbrake (or press the foot e-brake), straighten the steering wheel, release the handbrake (or foot e-brake), shift into first, floor the accelerator, dump the clutch, and finally, countersteer to keep the car straight. For automatics, go into neutral, turn, pull handbrake (or press foot e-brake), straighten the wheel, release the handbrake (or foot e-brake), shift into Drive, floor the accelerator, and finally, countersteer to keep the car straight.

    Pulling off the tire-smoking maneuver with a manual car will take a lot of practice to get it right. Try practicing in an empty parking lot or on gravel. An even better solution is an empty parking lot right after it has rained or snowed. It will be easier on your tires. Remember that pulling off 180 degree turns repeatedly will kill your tires. And be warned that this move is always risky with a tall SUV!

    Modernracer.com © 2003
     
  2. ABMResto

    ABMResto Muscle Car Rx

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    :unsure:Wouldn't this sticky be better served in the drifting forum?:unsure:
    Nice tutorial, but in my neck of the woods, it's a move that will get you thrown out of an autocross. or hurt on a race track. Just my .02
     
  3. Bud

    Bud GG EVO IX MR

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    The hand brake turn is taught at rally racing schools all over the world for tight, slow speed turns on gravel, snow, and tarmac. I'm not sure I would classify it as a drifting technique, as competition drifting is almost...if not always...exclusive to RWD vehicles.
     
  4. ABMResto

    ABMResto Muscle Car Rx

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    Ok, I've never been to a ralley racing school, I guess I shoulda looked a little deeper into the forum and seen that there were ralley racers in here too. I've just never been on an auto-x course or road course that it was nessicary
     
  5. Bud

    Bud GG EVO IX MR

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    Just another tool for the toolbag!
     
  6. nevinsrt

    nevinsrt Getaway driver for hire

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    Handbrake can be use in Auto X
    I use it.

    Out here in albuquerque we are starting up Rally X
    like Auto X but on dirt.
    but it is a rally technique and since we dont have a rally section it best fits here
     
  7. Bud

    Bud GG EVO IX MR

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  8. nevinsrt

    nevinsrt Getaway driver for hire

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  9. Tork Monster

    Tork Monster New Member

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    Man, I used to do this in every car I owned... until they put discs on the rear. Somehow rear discs would not grab enough to lock 'em up for this maneuver.
    '84 Trans-Am......... nope
    '90 Vette...............nope
    '95 BMW 5-Series... nope

    I haven't tried it on my SRT8, but considering it has a foot parking brake I don't think I want to.

    Another maneuver I used to do all the time is the Rockford turn. Accelerate in reverse, then hit the brakes hard while cranking the wheel. The weight transfers to the rear tires and the front flips around so you are now travelling forwards in the same direction.
    I once did this in my T/A with parked cars lined up on both sides (thank God it was sucessful).
    However, once they put antilock brakes on cars, you couldn't lock up the front tires. Trying this maneuver now will just send you into the weeds (as I learned from several attempts with the Vette and BMW).
    You see this done still in movies, but it requires a bit of valve work on the braking system to acheive.
     
  10. Bud

    Bud GG EVO IX MR

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    With a reverse 180 you don't need to hit the brakes at all. Once you lift off the throttle, the weight will transfer to the rear, initiate the turn, and shift into drive during the turn.

    The J-turn is possible in our pigs...but not advisable. It's a lot easier if you disengage the locking mechanism on the E-brake so it just acts as another brake pedal....or if your really good, you have you're left hand on the lock release, your left foot on the parking brake and go for it.
     
  11. HalV48

    HalV48 They Call Me Patron

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    It's called a Bat turn. We where doing it in the 60's.

    Dedicated to the Batman TV series.
     
  12. nevinsrt

    nevinsrt Getaway driver for hire

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    so how old were you back then? 60!
    :rofl: J/K

    I didnt know that. :hmm:
     
  13. nevinsrt

    nevinsrt Getaway driver for hire

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    i dont have the pair to try that!!!

    if i were to do it id take off the lock!
     
  14. Bud

    Bud GG EVO IX MR

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    When I did that particular move it was on an airfield....so I wasn't too worried! lol
     
  15. nevinsrt

    nevinsrt Getaway driver for hire

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    yeah me id try it with cones everwhere!!! :rofl::whistle:
     
  16. WRR

    WRR RallySRT4

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    we called it a 'Rockford' turn back in my day - (late 70s/early 80s)- based on the Rockford Files and James Garner doing this type of turn regularly in his brown Firebird...
     
  17. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    That's probably because the parking brake (with rear discs) never activates the discs. They are
    1) an "auxilary" drum brakes there just for the parking brakes
    or
    2) a drive shaft brake (sort of a brake clamp on the drive shaft)

    sufficient for holding the car once stopped but not effective as a brake if the car is moving.
     
  18. nevinsrt

    nevinsrt Getaway driver for hire

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    So we got the bat turn and rockford turn. :rofl:

    anyone got a name for it from the 90's