There aren’t too many opportunities in civilian driving that would bring out a driver’s potential. In racing, there are a whole lot. One of the most useful moves in maneuvering, for instance, is the handbrake turn.
In driving, the turning dynamics would require the driver to slow down to a lower speed, shift the gear to a lower speed, turn the wheel at a necessary angle, and then proceed with acceleration. In civilian driving, this is highly acceptable, and in fact, it is the rule on the road.
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| Image source: thingsidigg.com |
However, in professional car racing, there is a need to save time, as decisions need to be made in split seconds to attain the goal of winning the race. The handbrake turn is used to intentionally slide a car sideways, especially when negotiating a sharp turn on the track.
It starts off when the driver, by way of steering, shifts most of the vehicle’s weight to one side of the car. Then he pulls on the handbrake to lock the rear wheels of the car, thereby removing the adhesion of the tires on the road surface. This way, the sideways force makes the car turn quickly.
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| Image source: wikpedia.org |
This is a very useful move in racing, as it becomes quite time-saving, even if it is measured in split seconds. In racing, this much time saved is gold, and it also gives the driver the chance to overcome obstacles without risking being overtaken by other opponents.
Steve B. Liefschultz is a NASCAR fan who consistently follows racing competitions. For more on car racing, read this blog.
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