All you Car-fanatics might have noticed this move countless number of times in movies and rallies.
It’s that one move which completes any car-chase sequence of any movie – be it Nolan’s Batman or Kamal Hassan’s Vishwaroopam. Or even in Disney- Pixar’s movie- ‘Cars’.
To put the Scandinavian flick in simple lay man’s terms; It’s that awesome drift move, performed during turns when the car literally slides on to its side and gets back on track after the turn. All this without losing the momentum it acquired.
Let’s take a ride back to know how it all began. It was in the 1960s when Scandinavian drivers first started expertly using this technique to win titles in numerous rallies. The reason Scandinavians were the first successful ones to pull-off this maneuver was because of the cold climate and icy roads that enabled them to have control of their cars in slippery turns without losing much speed. Hence the name “Scandinavian”. The term “Flick” indicates the sudden movement made by the driver that triggers the entire trick, which is explained below.
Before you guys shout out- “LETS DO THIS!” please note that this is an expert stunt and is not advisable to be performed in public or in narrow roads.
Alright then, tighten your seats belts! And let’s begin!
The trick is best performed at speeds between 95 and 115 kmph on grassy or gravel surfaces, as such surfaces help a Front – Wheel Drive car to slide effectively.
STEP 1:
The First step is to Position the car a little away from the centre line in a direction opposite to that of your turn.
Now the next series of steps (2, 3 & 4) must be performed in milli-seconds, as this is where the magic lies.
STEP 2:
Next steer the car slightly towards the opposite direction in which it should be turned. Simply – ‘Turn right to go left’ or it’s reverse.
STEP 3:
Quickly turn the car in the actual direction of the road, also release the throttle and slam the brakes.
Now the spell has been casted and the inertia of the front does not give in to the drastic turn at the same time the rear end of the car gives out immediately due to both the steering action and the engine load in the front, resulting in a dramatic turn in the actual direction.
STEP 4:
Let the back end of the car pull out as much as possible.
STEP 5:
When the car gets back on the right track, release the brakes and stomp the throttle. You may have to counter-steer here as the car might go out of control.
STEP 6:
If you are back on track with your car straightened, then Congratulations, you have mastered the Scandinavian Flick.
The actual Science behind this trick can be summed up in one word: INERTIA.
The combined Inertia of the sudden release of the throttle and the engine’s weight in the front with the sudden flick of the steering causes the car to slide in manner in which the front end acts as a pivot and the rear end in motion (similar to a pendulum).
The Scandinavian trick is also known in different other names such as the ‘Finnish flick’, the ‘Manji Drifting’, or the ‘Pendulum turn’ and through time various drivers have come up with their own version of this neat trick, including the Great Colin McRae.
As mentioned above, make sure to perform this trick on a broad road, with absolutely no one around, in a conditioned car with seat belts and airbags.
Go on, Take your Hudson Hornets out for a spin. After all, it was he who said- ‘Turn right to go left’ !
Until next time, drive safe!
