How to do Handbrake Turns

When you need to get a vehicle rotated at low speed, a handbrake turn can be a very useful technique, especially in a front wheel drive car. Although this might seem like a simple maneuver, there are some variables and nuances to be aware of. Lead Team O'Neil instructor Brent Trail jumps in one of our rally school Ford Fiesta STs and demonstrates the ins and outs of handbrake turns. Enjoy!

Supported by:
Optima Batteries
Hawk Performance Brakes
Ford Performance
Koni Shocks
Monster Energy
AMSOIL

MB01CX7PJYY2SAF

[jaycreds]

You need to tag it under “relationship advice”
Every car guy knows a well executed handbrake turn is the key to a woman’s heart

[luisking]

Thanks for the Video! Keep sharing new ones please.

Nice to see the other instructors in front of the camera as well..

Shoutout to my instructors,

Brent, Al, Tom, Alan, Komar and the rest of the Team O’Neil!

Keep up the great work helping flame the rally fire for the rally enthusiasts worldwide!

[emmanuelsantamaria]

Great info. Thank you Team O'Neal!

[asmith]

Anyone can handbrake turn. What takes skill is using the pedal-parking break while holding the release with your left hand 😆

[fortissears]

What causes a car to roll sideways end-over-end when trying to handbrake turn? I remember Mythbusters learning to teeter-toter cars on wheels (one side in the air, the otherin contact with the ground), and the beginning went exactly like it's described here. What would be the difference? Locking all four tires, palming the wheel?

[gustakhparinda]

Thanks for the video; looks like fun. For my edification, this isn't recommended for AWDs like the WRX that don't disconnect the rear axle when the have brake is pulled, correct? And clutching in isn't really going to help matters either, right?

[dubtube]

you guys have to do a proper rally game :) I bet it will be fanstatic

[fabokavrs]

For the slow 180 degree turns. Do you still use the foot brake to slow down is it the handbrake only?

[th_bitar]

wath kinder wheels does this have brand name model?

[johnbowie]

do you do modifications on your car for performing handbrake turns? I tried that several times on my stock fiesta and now the handbrake handle is getting really loose, sometimes even wiggle up and down while I'm driving. I asked a mechanic about this he said there might be some problem about the brake pump of the whole braking system but I'm not sure if that's the case.

[ifell]

Great video, is that just a half roll cage in the ST?

[jeffarcher]

My old cars handbrakes are worn and may lock only one wheel or not at all.
This destroys my confidence.
How do you tighten your handbrakes?
I suppose it's under the handbrake boot but how do you adjust bias if one wheel is locking?
One car has the drum inside the disc. The shoes don't seem worn.
Do new cars use the hydraulic system to squeeze the pads?

[BaudirenergieDe]

Where is the driver who always made the videos. I wish he was back. Don't misunderstand, that was a very well explained video from this Team O'Neil driver. Thank you for that.

[chrisvlogz]

I kinda figured this out as soon as I bought my yaris but now there's video to properly do it

[Hugo-eppo]

What do you do throttle-wise throughout?

[fredelin]

I am puzzled that we hardly saw the full vehicle managing the curve time after time. The 60 miles/hours demontration being the most memorable missed opportunity to SEE how successful the turn was. The exterior view being always more important that the inside of the vehicle Oh well...

[henrysu]

How bad is this on the center diff of a GD WRX? Is there a technique to do it with minimal wear?

[PlatinumAgar]

I have not seen this yet, but I bet my friends could learn from this, because even though I know how to pretty much do anything with a working handbrake, I am a bad teacher.

[emeryguo]

I hate to mention it but your helmet is not fastened!

[asmith]

If you pull the handbrake, and don’t turn, I’d be impressed