Handbrake Turn

A Handbrake Turn is a driving technique where a driver uses the handbrake to lock the rear wheels, causing the car to slide sideways around a corner.

This maneuver is particularly valuable in rallying and other motorsports for navigating tight corners that would otherwise require slowing down significantly or making multiple-point turns. By pulling the handbrake while turning the steering wheel, drivers can rotate the car quickly in a controlled slide.

While spectacular to watch in professional motorsport, handbrake turns require considerable skill to execute safely. Rally drivers often use this technique on hairpin bends to maintain momentum, while stunt drivers employ it for dramatic 180-degree turns in limited space. The technique is sometimes called a "bootlegger's turn" due to its historical use by illegal alcohol transporters evading authorities.