Movie Style Guy: Death Race Death Turn

Posted by Robert Fure (robert@filmschoolrejects.com) on August 21, 2008

Movie Style Guy: Death Race

Ok, so technically the move is not called a “Death Turn” but if you attempt this, you will probably kill yourself. But, I’m feeling irresponsible and the Supreme Court has ruled that I’m allowed to say it and bear no responsibility if you stupidly decide to try a handbrake turn. A handbrake turn is, obviously, a turn that involves using the handbrake. You execute this move when you want to kill yourself, but stunt drivers and get away folks in films use it when they want to change directions and fast. Let’s get down to it.

First, get going up around 35 miles per hour or so. Any faster and your car will probably just travel backwards rather than coming to a stop, any slower and you’ll end up facing in some awkward direction.

Next, position your right hand across the wheel so it’s on the left (vice versa, etc) as this will really allow you to wrench the wheel as quickly as possible. As most Americans drive an Automatic, right before you want to execute your turn, drop into neutral. Next, as the front bumper passes the point you want to turn at, whip the wheel around to begin the turn.

Just a split second after that turn begins, you’ll want to pull up (or press down) your handbrake. If you’ve done it right, within a second you’ll have brought the wheel back in line and be facing the other direction. Release the handbrake as you switch back into drive and slam the pedal down.

You’ve just performed an illegal and unsafe turn, pull over and wait for the cops.

If you want all the bad-assedness of Death Race but with none of the illegality, can I recommend a stylish jumpsuit, a car with twin racing stripes and a big skull painted on it? Much safer in the long run.

Until next time, don’t try this and don’t blame me if you do!


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  • Aleric
    You forgot to mention that if the car is too heavey the parking brake with not do anything but make noise for about 5 seconds before the pads come off.
  • I had an old 1979 Buick station wagon when I was in high school. I tried this trick one Saturday night in my school parking lot. I ran into a tree. Fortunately, there was no tree that could injure that car.

    Also, one time when the brakes went out on that car, I was rolling backwards down a sloped driveway headed for the street. I decided to try the TERMINATOR trick and throw the car into Park. That didn't work. I hit another tree. But at least I didn't hit another car.
  • Goddamnit
    Do us a favor and stop posting, Hand.
  • SUPERJUNK
    You are a tree killing fool Mister Hand. I like your style.
  • I once took a connecting ramp off the highway at 70mph after it had rained and oiled had seeped up to the top of the asphalt.

    Bad idea.

    I ended up facing the wrong way, but luckily there were no other cars for about a mile. I flipped the car around, and went on my way, but I didn't look nearly as cool as guys who do it in movies.
  • Goddamnit said: "Do us a favor and stop posting, Hand."

    I might have been not entirely disinclined to abide by such a request had it not come from someone unable to spell "goddammit."
  • Moving from NY to FL several years ago I found myself driving a U-Haul truck with my girlfriend in front with me and all of my belongings in the back. Somewhere around Tennesee, with a light rain falling, I took a highway exchange ramp and the truck started fish-tailing. I corrected the wheel a bit too much, corrected the other direction... again too much... and eventually got the truck back under control. My fingers were locked onto the wheel, my heart was racing, and I pulled over to clean my pants, have a drink, and find someone else to drive.

    Friends were following behind us, and when I pulled over they came running out of their car to share their awe... apparently the tires on the entire left side of the truck actually left the road during the initial swerve.

    The moral of this story is that Cole Abaius should do us a favor and stop commenting and posting.
  • I almost managed to get 2 wheels off the ground (by accident) on a slick ramp, but my best was nailing a sliding 90 degree right turn, which was 94% rain, 6% luck.

    And not to split hears, but I think "goddamnit" is more correct than "goddammit," as grammatically it should be "God damn it" or "God, damn it," as if one were asking God to send down his righteous anger upon "Disaster Movie."
  • Aleric
    Mine involved a 1980 dodge diplomat and very bad brakes. Seems the parking brake is useless in stopping a moving vechicle and throwing it in reverse only causes a lot of grinding and poping from the transmission. I could have saved Myth Busters some film and told them not to try the tests they did recently.
  • I actually contacted Mythbusters to save them some trouble, but they responded with a formal notice from their lawyers reminding me of the restraining order Kari Byron placed against me.
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