In my old neck of the woods, using the handbrake to facilitate a rapid, skidding 180 degree turn was appropriately referred to as a "bootlegger" turn. Thats how the petty family learned it anyway...
Don

 

I've been doing this for years, with no harmful effects to me or my vehicles. However, this technique is not nearly effective as having a brake-light switch and turning the brake lights off in those special situations when you don't want to flash your intentions to someone.

This technique works especially well at an autocross where you can demoralize all the competitors in your class, because they think you're the only one who can run the entire course without "braking."

Now, of course some of what I've said here may be outside the letter of the law and may not even be nice, but ...

 

fyi - this is great fun in the snow!

 

Funny, in my neck of the woods, a bootlegger was when you went fast in reverse, cranked the wheel, hit the brakes and took off forwards. But then again, I am in Canada eh!

 

Well, make sure your thumb is on that button. I had my rental Maxima in a spin because I was playing with the e-brake and well, it got stuck up and around I went, with a semi heading towards me. I took off heading towards the truck and pulled the e-brake again and turned the wheel, perfect 180 and off I went.

 

Mindcore -- what you're referring to is a J-turn. The e-brake maneuver was what us Integra kids in Alaska did to pretend we had RWD. Your right, elviscos -- great fun in the snow (and wet pavement).

 

I agree with Spa2K. The "dead switch" in the brake light circuit is the ticket. I have done this on some of my previous cars but not my "S" yet. In states that still use VASCAR it is pretty effective if you realize that you have just entered a timing trap. Go in at 80 mph, flip the switch, hit the brakes and leave the trap going 50 mph and the officer's display will show your average speed through the trap at somewhere around 65 mph. VASCAR is not used much in NC anymore but the switch can be handy for other scenarios... I think that autocross trick is hilarious!

 

I've used the e-brake to put the car into a skid right after the first snow in my area. I go to an empty parking lot, big one of course, and go about 20 mph, turn the wheel and pull the brake up. Practice turning into the skid to keep the car under control, how much gas to give it if front wheel drive, etc. etc.

I taught my oldest son to do this and the practice has paid off. He had a real skid going to school and was able to keep the car under control without panicing as he knew what to do.

It's also a lot of fun!