I thought everybody made turns like this! <BG>
Actually, a "handbrake 180" is a bit different. This is done from a standing
start. You hit the go pedal hard in reverse, then pull the handbrake and
crank the steering wheel in either direction. With the rear wheels locked,
the car will spin around. If you are good, you can straighten the wheel,
leggo the handbrake, and hit the gas at the right time so you don't lose very
much inertia. It is taught as an escape maneuver.
This is done in the movies all the time. Its a bit trickier in an American
car with a foot activated emergency brake. You have to hold the release
handle whilst pressing the e-brake pedal. Much easier in an LBC.
Allen Hefner
Philly Region SCCA Rally Steward
'77 Midget
'92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV Sport
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In a message dated 11/06/1999 1:02:13 PM Eastern Standard Time,
doddk@mossmotors.com writes:
<< Drive into a tight corner at extreme rate of speed. Set the front
wheels into the direction of travel. Pull up the handbrake for an instant,
which locks the rear wheels. The back end of the car will swing around
following the track of the front wheels. At just the right point, the
steering wheel is spun to opposite lock. The rear end comes back into line
and power is applied to stop the slide. The car shoots off in the intended
direction.
<snip>
This is a technique perfected by stage rallyists on loose gravel.
It is also applicable to tarmac, but requires much larger cojones.
Defensive driving schools teach Limo drivers this same technique for doing
180 degree turns at highway speed in stretch Limos. >>
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