There may come a time in your life as a driver that you need to make a tight, fast turn, whether it's as a police officer in a high-speed chase, or simply to avoid an accident. This article will instruct you on how to get your car around a very tight corner, such as a sharp left-hand turn around a parking lot light post, but this process can be used for any corner with a small point to go around.
Step 1
Position cones on either side of the car to represent a street. This will help you, and challenge you as you can force yourself to attempt tighter and tighter turns.
Step 2
Approach the turn as far to the right as possible (this is an exterior approach).
Step 3
Use your brakes as late as possible. Read the instructions on braking. While you are braking, keep the vehicle as straight as possible; turning while braking will increase the distance your vehicle requires to turn or stop.
Step 4
Make a 90-degree turn (or less) by going from the right (exterior), getting as close to the concrete without hitting it (apex), then exiting the turn as far to the right as possible (exterior).
- This gives you the straightest line possible (that is, the line with the greatest turning radius); naturally, it is also the fastest line. This line gives you the best traction, and the best efficiency for laying down power coming out of the turn.
Step 5
Make a 90-135-degree turn by once again approaching from the right (exterior), but this time use the handbrake (if available) to bring the back of your car around. You may need a little cooperation from your vehicle.
- A mid-sized sedan with a tight handbrake will not need more than a second of tire-lock, so do not use it for too long, else you will spinout. If a handbrake is not available (i.e.: your vehicle has a foot-base emergency brake), then you will have to just take the corner a little slower, so follow the 90-degree turn instructions.
Step 6
Make a more than a 135-degree turn with an e-brake turn. Do not slow down as much as you would have normally for the turn. Instead, drive a few feet past the turn (5 or more feet).
- While still going at a decent speed and going straight, pull the e-brake. Once the rear tires have locked up, turn the wheel to the left. The car's back end will spin around and point you almost in 180-degrees of your original course. Release the e-brake and drive off.
- With a bit of practice, you should be able to release your e-brake earlier, which will allow your vehicle to be pointed in the exact direction you desire (instead of a full 180-degrees).
Tips
- The tighter the turn you make, the slower it must be taken, but if you play your cards right, and make the turn faster than the other guy, then it might give you the edge you need.
- Many cars have a "foot rest" or flat spot on the left side of the floorboard. This is actually called a dead pedal and should be used in fast turns. By pressing down with your left foot, you force your body back into the seat, thereby minimizing any upper body movement created from lateral g-forces. This allows you more precise control with the steering wheel.
- Any of these maneuvers done with a RWD or AWD vehicle should not be with any "drifting" style (with your back-end sliding as you accelerate). Keeping your back-end "tidy" is always the fastest way around the corner.
- If your tires are slipping under power to the point that the back-end swings out, you are giving it too much gas, and easing off the gas a bit will actually get you through the turn quicker. Be cautious though, suddenly lifting off the gas will transfer weight to the front and cause the rear end to swing out even more possibly causing you to lose control. The key is balance.
- Tight turns require a lot of precision to be fast. Practice is essential to perform well.
- If your car understeers when you enter the turn (just after you let off the brakes) try staying on the brakes a little longer, or releasing them a little earlier. Releasing the brakes at the point of turn-in will release a lot of available down-pressure on your front tires.
- Originally, sliding or drifting was done by rally racers who did this with the intention of holding more speed through the corner. Sliding changes how you enter and exit a corner, but typically you will hold more speed and therefore, get through the corner faster.
- Smooth use of the brakes and the accelerator is also essential, as smooth release and pressing of the accelerator will eliminate wheel lock up and wheel spin on the entries and exits of corners.
Warnings
- Obviously, these maneuvers can be very dangerous and may result in serious injury or death. Tactical or technical driving should only be done in emergency situations, when no other choice is available.
- Keep in mind that while drifting/sliding may be the quickest off road, for asphalt these techniques are definitely NOT the quickest way around a corner. If it were they would use this technique in Formula One. The quickest way is the smoothest way. Sliding looks flashy but it's SLOW- on pavement.
- Any practicing you do should not be done on public streets! Your own private property is the best.
- Always drive safely. Be observant of pedestrians and other vehicles.
- Never break the law! Obey speed limits, research state and local laws, and be sure to obey all the laws.
- While practice is crucial, it should be noted that many of the maneuvers can cause damage to vehicles. Alignment, engine mounts, bearings and many other parts can suffer wear or malfunctions. Some people use a cheap "practice car" to practice with.
- Some SUVs have a history of rolling when confronted with extreme maneuvering.
- It should be noted that when using the parking brake in a RWD or AWD, it is imperative that you have the clutch depressed and the motor disengaged, or else you will stall the car. Depending on the types of differentials in your AWD car, using the parking brake while moving could very well destroy your differentials/drivetrain as well.
