Scandinavian Flick

The Scandinavian Flick is a driving technique where a driver briefly steers away from a corner before turning into it, using the car's weight shift to help navigate tight turns at high speed on slippery surfaces.

This technique, also called the "Scandi flick" or "pendulum turn," was developed by rally drivers from Finland, Sweden, and Denmark in the 1960s and 70s. It became popular because it solved a common problem: how to get around sharp corners quickly when driving on loose gravel, snow, or mud where tires don't grip well.

Here's how it works in simple terms: When approaching a right-hand corner, the driver first steers left (away from the turn) while lifting off the gas pedal. This causes the car's weight to shift and makes the rear end start to swing out. Then the driver quickly steers right into the actual corner while applying throttle, causing the car to slide in a controlled way through the turn.

The Scandinavian Flick is most useful on low-grip surfaces where normal turning methods would cause the car to either slide straight ahead (understeer) or slow down too much. Rally drivers use this technique constantly on forest roads covered in gravel, dirt, or snow.

You might have seen this technique in racing video games, movies like "Cars," or TV shows like "Top Gear." It looks dramatic because the car appears to be sliding sideways through corners, but it's actually a precise method for maintaining speed on difficult surfaces.

This technique requires significant skill and practice to perform safely. Professional drivers spend years learning to execute it properly, as incorrect timing can lead to losing control of the vehicle. It's primarily used in rally racing and ice racing, where the challenging surface conditions make it both necessary and effective.