How to Powerslide With a Car
Motorsport and racing enthusiasts use many techniques and tricks to keep the lead or the racing line in many situations on the race course. While racing is almost always all about control, there are times that going out of control can actually help them maintain or take the lead. If you race cars, the powerslide is a very effective way to gain speed on the straightaway after tight curves.
Why Powerslide?
In most situations, the best way to take on a curve is to approach the section from the inside edge, steer the car along the curve, and floor it as you make your exit from the outside edge. For off-road races, or for race situations where you go neck-and-neck with an opponent, the usual way of approaching and making a curve is quite impractical, especially if the curve is too tight or if you do not have control over the approach of the curve.
A powerslide is a technique where the driver momentarily allows his or her car to slide horizontally. As the car slides to finish the curve, the driver then steps on the throttle to exit the curve. The powerslide is more than just about flash; it provides the car with a distinct speed and momentum advantage while making the exit. When done safely and correctly, a powerslide makes it possible for you to overtake the car ahead of you as you both exit the curve.
Performing the Powerslide
To perform a powerslide, follow these steps:
Enter the curve with enough speed and momentum to complete the powerslide. Too little speed will cause your car to stop during the powerslide, and too much speed will cause you to skid out of control.
Feather the accelerator as you reach the peak of the curve, and turn the steering wheel to the same direction as the curve. You should feel your car slide horizontally or diagonally, instead of completing the curve cleanly.
Step on the gas pedal while steering the nose of the vehicle toward the exit of the curve. In some cars, the wheels will slowly regain traction as you direct the car to the exit. If you’re driving manual transmission, you may need to feather the clutch as you finish sliding along the peak of the turn. Do not step on the clutch, or engage the brakes; you’ll end up drifting instead of powersliding.
At the exact moment when the wheels have regained some traction with the road, release the accelerator. If you floor the accelerator as you’re still skidding sideways, you’ll end up spinning out of control or flipping the car over.
Wait for the wheels to completely regain grip and traction on the road surface, and floor the accelerator; it shouldn’t take a quarter of a second depending on the condition of your tires.
As you floor the accelerator, you should speed away at a high speed as you exit the curve.
Safety Precautions
Powersliding may look flashy, but it can be particularly dangerous. Racing maneuvers and techniques are illegal on public roads; never attempt to practice or perform a powerslide on a freeway, a street, or any other place where it’s prohibited. If you want to practice a powerslide, you need to do it on private tracks or roads, or on a wide open area marked with cones. You should also try to avoid collisions or accidents if you’re going to try to overtake the car ahead of you with a powerslide.
The powerslide is a flashy, useful, and cool-looking racing technique. With enough practice and the right timing, a powerslide can put you on a definite advantage to take the checkered flag.