Not being a tit but when and how would you use it. I guess you have to have a big set of balls.

Not being a tit but when and how would you use it. I guess you have to have a big set of balls.

Opposite lock is just turning into a slide/drift. Cant imagine having to use it on tarmac in a scoob unless maybe its wet and you get it sideways. When you see a rally car with the tail out and the wheels pointing in the direction the car is sliding, that is opposite lock. You use it to correct the slide and straighten the car back up.

Only balls required are to get it sideways in the first place...opposite lock is the sensible bit. :lol1:

Opposite lock - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opposite_lock) :)

First time I experienced it was accidentally in a rear wheel drive car on my second driving lesson on an empty gravel road in the middle of the Australian outback! The whole manouevre came totally instinctively. Very satisfying, but not one to try on our crowded roads.

There were some good examples of opposite lock being applied during last Sunday's GP and doubtless there will be this Sunday too. But as Alan implies, the best place to see it is on the rally stages and MkII Ford Escorts in particular.

Every driver on the road should know how to use it when/if the rear axle ever goes into a slide: It's even in the highway code :)

Instances such as braking during cornering or lifting off the throttle during cornering will easily provoke such an instance requiring opposite lock to prevent a full spin on a FWD, 4wd or RWD car.

Instances such as braking during cornering or lifting off the throttle during cornering will easily provoke such an instance requiring opposite lock to prevent a full spin on a FWD, 4wd or RWD car.

True enough, but not all that easy. If it was, the way many people drive -- braking on apexes, etc. -- you'd expect to see a lot more cars coming at you on opposite lock! It's got to be greasy or you've got to be going pretty quick to provoke a car in this way -- in my experience, anyway.

Interesting to know that it's in the Highway Code. Do they suggest a visit to a skid pan?

117-126: Control of the vehicle : Directgov - Travel and transport (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070304)

Fit some tyres that aren't suited to the UK climate (Nankang, Road Champ, Pirelli, certain Yokohamas etc) and it doesn't need to be fast or greasy, just damp and cold.

117-126: Control of the vehicle : Directgov - Travel and transport (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070304)

Fit some tyres that aren't suited to the UK climate (Nankang, Road Champ, Pirelli, certain Yokohamas etc) and it doesn't need to be fast or greasy, just damp and cold.

it was bone dry and warm today and I didnt have any probs. :D (goodyear GSD3's)

Warm? It's barely been above 8 degrees round here today. Arctic winds and hail :Suspiciou:

(well, yesturday, now ;) )

Warm? It's barely been above 8 degrees round here today. Arctic winds and hail :Suspiciou:

(well, yesturday, now ;) )

What you complaining about, 8 degrees is boiling in Scotland! :p

Should make the point that I spend most of my life outside so anything other than absolute freezing is warm to me. :lol1:

Every driver on the road should know how to use it when/if the rear axle ever goes into a slide: It's even in the highway code :)

Instances such as braking during cornering or lifting off the throttle during cornering will easily provoke such an instance requiring opposite lock to prevent a full spin on a FWD, 4wd or RWD car.

It should be your natural reaction anyway.

IMHO Don't do it !

A scoob has so much grip that once you've added enough opposite lock, then it will spit you off the road... keep the wheel straight and let the power pull you back....
I once found some diesel and didn't follow this advice, wound on some opposite lock and induced a massive tank-slapper.... better to have just kept the wheel straight and wait for some grip ! P.S. wide road, no damage, but still worrying !

DunxC

IMHO Don't do it !

A scoob has so much grip that once you've added enough opposite lock, then it will spit you off the road... keep the wheel straight and let the power pull you back....
I once found some diesel and didn't follow this advice, wound on some opposite lock and induced a massive tank-slapper.... better to have just kept the wheel straight and wait for some grip ! P.S. wide road, no damage, but still worrying !

DunxC

Ignore above.

Its no problem sliding with opposte lock on, as said its just a natural reaction.
Your more likely to hurt yourself or others if you just do nothing IMHO.

The problem with the age old trait that is the Scooby tank-slapper is the tendancy to overreact, or react too slow, and then opposite lock too much and too aggressively, then not wind it back quick enough as soon as it starts to correct (and not by too much, or you'll be going up the road like a fish).

Combine that with no throttle control, or worse - overractive and imprecise throttle control (lift off too much, or use too much) to aid balancing the car and it could be messy.

Delicacy and precision is the key, something a bit tricky on a car with over-assisted power steering and a turbo messing up the throttle response.

Don't get me wrong I can see your point 172sport, but mine is set-up to be as neutral as possible. By the time I get the car to slip....
it's too fast to be flapping around with the wheel.
In my case I DID lift-off and boy did she slide, English culing championship !

DunxC

P.S. I'm so old the only FWD car was the mini.... :) & the only 4WD Landy !

45 degrees @ 80-90 mph in the wet!!!! Fun but you dont want to be getting it wrong.

Best bet is to have a good old play around its the only way to learn the car.

just keep the foot planted and steer where u want to go. You really want to drive a 4wd car more like you would drive a fwd as opposed to a rear drive. Lots of people get caught out because as mentioned above, when it goes sideways, they panic and theres usually a combination of over correction and coming off the throttle...which results in a 4wd catching grip very quickly and sending you flying in the other direction.

Do a track day and everything will come to you naturally anyway. :D To be honest, to drive a car really quick you need to manhandle and get a feel for controlling it yourself instead of worrying about different things you "should" be doing. If you've not really done this before, a track is the only place to start as theres no oncoming motorists etc. :thumb:

Yup i agree, its just a seat of the pants thing.

Roll on Cadwell Park tomorrow

WHOA!!!!

Not being a tit but when and how would you use it. I guess you have to have a big set of balls.
In certain situations it can help with getting on the power nice and early

http://www.mocomracing.com/dbimages/MR400RadioHairpin1024.jpg

Nice picture Zak :thumb: :D

This was nearly past the point of no return...

http://www.photographeronthe.net/rallygallery/part_imagedisplay3.asp?imageno=18&total=18&numperpage=20&idcat=10133&par=3838&path=\Requested%20Proofs\Arron%20Elliott&pid=382

This was nearly past the point of no return...

RallyGallery.com - Rally Photography (http://www.photographeronthe.net/rallygallery/part_imagedisplay3.asp?imageno=18&total=18&numperpage=20&idcat=10133&par=3838&path=\Requested%20Proofs\Arron%20Elliott&pid=382)

Quality pic Jon :D reminds me of my 3lt Capri days :lol1:

takes bit of gettin used to turning into a slide, same as when you go into a corner too fast and you realise if you brake or back off then your in the ditch.2 weeks after getting my 1995 wrx i ended up going backwards on dual carriageway at about 110mph.must have been my day cos after sliding along crash barrier ,car only needed a back bumper.thats maybe reason why 20 year olds normally cant get insured lol

i once found out the hard way in the rain off a round about luckily for me no one else around and only did a 180 but god did i **** a chicken !!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/Butch/DSC_0040-11.jpg