Weight Transfer for Driving, Racing, and Rally

Weight transfer is the most basic foundation of vehicle dynamics, yet holds many of the keys to ultimate car control. Any time you apply brakes, add or remove steering, and manipulate the throttle, you're transferring the weight of your car forwards, backwards, and side to side.

Rally drivers are forced to become masters of weight transfer, as driving quickly on slippery roads requires them to be at the absolute limit of adhesion with the road surface as much as possible. Weight transfer can be used to approach corners with more speed than otherwise possible because transferring the weight precisely allows the driver to cure understeer and create oversteer as necessary to force the car around the corner.

This is why racing drivers from across the spectrum of motorsport choose to visit rally school, to spend time learning highly advanced car control skills that are otherwise unsafe or impractical to learn on the track.

Produced by: Team O'Neil Rally School

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

[LNFFTW]

as Mario said “it’s amazing how many drivers think the brakes are for slowing the car down”

[declanthiele]

I took my car out today on some trails. Just a civic on gravel. It's amazing how naturally this all comes to you. I didn't even think to pendulum turn, I was just doing it. I didn't think too heavy into the weight transfer, just left foot breaking in the turns, but I did a lot of weight transfer anyways. It's crazy, the experience of 60 mph on twisting gravel trails. I think I'll never forget this day, neither will my pocket with the new radiator I need to buy. :)

[tougedenizen]

lmao he slammed the flat earthers, great video as always btw

[DashnCars]

That slowmo of the down hill pendulum is really nice for showing what the car is actually doing, weight transfer etc. Very good explanation of the subject.

[thetooth]

gonna try this on the way to work this week, wish me luck

[DopetheWind]

I did the five day class in July and bought a Focus RS as a result. I better know my weight transfer.

[PhellipeDiaz]

let's just contemplate the existance of this wonderfully beautiful subaru being driven like it's intended to. this subaru is simply gorgeous.

[finngurgens]

Content and subject matter was well delivered, as always. But can we take a minute to appreciate the beautiful filmography and the way it's used to illustrate the points in the video?

[RAlNYDAYS]

Best driving channel on YouTube, thanks for another free lesson!

[BigDaddyMacc]

i never droven a car i just got back in to being in love with rally and this video was a game changer for me

[jamesshives]

Really love the slow motion examples in this one, guys. Great addition

[cafned]

I enjoyed the video. Now I'm going to watch it again just to see more of that beautiful bugeye ballet.

[AlePadrong]

EA Sports WRC has sent us to learn with you ❤😁

[brianrichards]

I was driving in the wet the other day and I showed my dad how left foot braking can make a fwd car oversteer around corners, he was not impressed. (It was in my car, engine swapped Mitsubishi mirage)

[axelode]

These vids really help me in dirt rallt 2.0

[Krautastic]

boom first. But man... weight transfer is the name of the game. I rallycross a V6 MR2 which has almost no weight on the nose. You really have to pitch the weight on the front, get it rotated through the corner, but then really modulate the throttle to keep the anchor out back from swinging around on you. Long sustained corners the front can really wash out because the initial front pitch has evened out. A really engaging car that rewards weight transfer. Can't wait to cage it for hill climb!

[danielearrigo]

Watched your videos since forever and actually saved my ass a couple months ago. It was snowing, I was approaching a stop sign and as soon as i touch the brakes the front wheels lock and the car starts actually accelerating. Like 2 meters from the wall I was about to hit I pulled the hand brake and turned right and just beautifully sent the car trough the corner. Had 180 BPM heart rate for a few minutes after LOL

[DeenHameed]

I've driving forever, mostly on pavement. A little bit of sideways fun but mostly grip. i've learned so much from watching you fang around in the snow letting the car get so loose... fantastic channel and amazing content. that said Wyatt, give us a signal if they won't let you out of grounds... this is getting worrying!

[MK-dfli]

Just started rallying here in Japan. Thank you Wyatt, these videos r very infornative. Pat on the back for the oneil team!!

[bobsanders]

Went. Learnt. Practiced. Practiced some more. Still not perfect. Want to go back again.