How to Do A Burnout
Learning how to incinerate tires in a blaze of glorious smoke is not something they teach you in driver’s ed. But it is essential automotive knowledge, akin to driving stick, mastering heel-and-toe or planning the perfect road trip. Of course, the usual disclaimers apply: practice only on a closed course and at your own risk.
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Scared straight: Watch “burnout fail” videos. These poor fools thought they were doing “epic” burnouts in front of deeply impressed onlookers—only to have their cars suddenly burst into flames. (See Step 4.)
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Equipment: Use a manual transmission, real-wheel-drive car that’s at least moderately powerful. (It’s also easy to do a burnout with an automatic car, although some have inhibitors that won’t allow you to.)
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Set up: Make sure the way ahead is clear. Turn the traction control all the way off. In first gear, depress the clutch with your left foot. Lean on the gas with your right foot, and don’t be shy with it.
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Balancing act: When ready, sidestep the clutch and get your left foot over the brake pedal pronto. The sudden rush of torque will overwhelm the rear tires, breaking their grip on the tarmac. Now, keep it going by balancing plenty of throttle with brake pressure to keep those tires spinning and forward movement to a minimum.
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Bliss: If you’ve managed to balance brake and throttle to light up the rear wheels and keep the fronts locked, it’s bliss. Breathe deep the acrid scent of burnt rubber. In your revelry, just remember not to let off the brake suddenly because you’ll slingshot into whatever’s in front of you.
