Opposite Lock

Opposite lock is a steering technique where a driver turns the steering wheel in the opposite direction of a corner to prevent the car from spinning out when the rear end loses grip and starts to slide.

When a race car enters a turn too fast or applies too much power, the rear wheels can lose traction and begin sliding outward. This situation is called oversteer. Without correction, the car would spin completely around. To regain control, the driver must quickly steer into the direction of the skid rather than where they want to go. If the rear of the car slides to the right, the driver steers right. If it slides left, they steer left. This counterintuitive action is what we call opposite lock or counter-steering.

The technique is most common in rear-wheel-drive vehicles, where the rear wheels provide both power and can easily break traction. Rally drivers use opposite lock constantly as they navigate loose gravel roads at high speeds. The slippery surface means the rear end frequently steps out during corners, requiring constant steering corrections to maintain the intended path through the turn.

In drifting competitions, drivers intentionally create oversteer and then use opposite lock to maintain a controlled slide through entire corners. The goal is to keep the car sideways at dramatic angles while still following the racing line. This requires precise throttle control combined with smooth opposite lock inputs to balance the car throughout the turn.

Formula 1 and other circuit racing drivers also apply opposite lock, though usually in brief moments when the car becomes unstable. A sudden loss of rear grip over a curb or through a high-speed corner requires quick opposite lock application to catch the slide before it becomes a spin. Modern racing cars have sophisticated electronics that help prevent oversteer, but drivers still need this skill when those systems reach their limits.

Learning opposite lock takes practice because it goes against natural instincts. When the back of a car slides out, most people's first reaction is to steer harder into the corner, which actually makes the spin worse. Successful opposite lock requires the driver to feel how much the rear has slid and apply just the right amount of counter-steer. Too little and the car continues spinning; too much and the car snaps back in the other direction.

The amount of opposite lock needed depends on how far the rear has slid. A small slide might need just a quarter turn of the steering wheel, while a dramatic drift could require turning the wheel nearly full lock in the opposite direction. As the car regains grip and straightens out, the driver must smoothly unwind the steering back to center, matching the car's rotation.

Understanding opposite lock is valuable even for everyday driving. If your car hits ice or water and the rear starts sliding, the same principle applies: steer gently in the direction of the skid while easing off the throttle. This fundamental skill can help any driver maintain control during unexpected loss of traction.