Handbrake Drift



Also known as: Side brake, E-brake drift



Difficulty: Novice



Positioning: Your left foot will be operating the clutch, your right foot will be free for accelerator or brake control, left hand on the wheel (USDM cars) and your right hand on the ebrake. Always practice in a safe open area. First time practice speed is about 20-30 mph to keep the car from sliding too far off course in the event of a mishap.



What you do: Turn in and come off the gas, clutch in, and pull up firmly on the handbrake. The rear of the car will begin to slide out. Hold the handbrake up until the car reaches desired angle, if you are unsure try about half a second and experiment from there. Countersteer as necessary. Once you reach the desired angle, put the handbrake backe down and quickly get your right hand to the wheel to help with steering. Also come off the clutch and get your left foot back on the footrest to help you stay in the seat firmly for optimum control. It's a little harder to operate the gas and steer when you're being pushed up against the door. Firm seating is your friend. Make sure the handbrake is all the way down, and get in the habit of taking the time to put it *all* the way down amidst the loss of traction. Ease on the throttle and control to finish off the drift.



Notes: Using the ebrake to get sideways slows the car down by locking the rear wheels, which means you will lose rpm from whatever speed you start at. You have to have enough engine power once you get back on the power so you may have to practice this at a higher speed once you get the basics down to have much success. You may also want to over rev the engine when you let out the clutch (read: mild clutch slip/kick) to give your rpms a boost and hopefully keep the car sliding. This is predictable with practice. The challenge is to rotate the car the correct amount. Not enough rotation will make it difficult to remain in a drift, too much will make it difficult to avoid a spinout.


Mechanics: When you turn in the weight of the car leans to the outside. Pulling up on the handbrake will apply braking force to the rear wheels only and with a firm pull (assuming your ebrake cable is adjusted properly and your braking system is properly maintained) you should be able to lock up the rear wheels. Once they lock they will lose grip and slide out due to the cornering force. Once you get the angle you want and let off the ebrake the car will be in a good slide. Applying throttle will balance the car in the drift and allow you to continue it fairly smoothly.



By: Ben C.

STATEMENT OF NON-LIABILITY

The author of this website does not encourage reckless driving on public roadways. The driving techniques and vehicle modifications shown in this webpage are intended for off-road use only and some of the modifications may make your car illegal for public road use. If you want to learn about drifting: more power to you but keep it safe and off of the streets; there are many on-track events for drifting, search for one in your area.

This website is about improving the performance and technique of the car and driver, mainly in respect to vehice handling. It deals with exploring the maximum ranges of tire traction, and in the case of drifting, pushing beyond that limit for extended periods of time. The closer a car comes to the limit of traction and the further it moves beyond the limit of traction the greater the chances of crashes when an error in judgement occurs.

If, while attempting to apply any of the ideas, procedures, or advice contained in this website, you should encounter any unfortunate or undesired circumstance, you will have done so through your own conscious descision. I disclaim responsibility for your actions, AND for your accident.