Buffybot ,'Dirty Girls'
Discussion of the Mutant Enemy series, Firefly, the ensuing movie Serenity, and other projects in that universe. Like the other show threads, anything broadcast in the US is fine; spoilers are verboten and will be deleted if found.
Bootlegger reverse.
AKA Bootlegger Turn: [link]
eta:
If you're being chased while driving, you can also do what the FBI refers to as the bootlegger's turn. It can be used only when going at least 40 miles an hour. While driving, slam or pull the emergency break and turn the steering wheel a quarter of a turn. The tires will lock up and the car will spin 180 degrees. Release the break and hit the gas. The maneuver reverses the car's direction in a split second.
slam or pull the emergency break
Does that mean it only works with the emergency brake, or does slam mean you can do it with the normal brakes?
The maneuver reverses the car's direction in a split second.
And, often as not, blows all four tires, to say nothing of the internal damage from using the emergency brake like that. They went through so many General Lees on that show. Still, coolest damn maneuver ever.
If I recall correctly, Miracleman told me in high school that his mother showed him how to do these.
Mind you, Miracleman told me a lot of things in high school.
Does that mean it only works with the emergency brake, or does slam mean you can do it with the normal brakes?
Only with the emergency brake. The idea is to lock up the rear wheels, but not the front wheels. If you slam on the (regular) brakes, all four wheels lock up (assuming no ABS) and you have no steering control whatsoever.
Hot damn. I need to steal a car and try that.
Hot damn. I need to steal a car and try that.
I've heard it recommended that you practice on a rental car....
Aside from being in the EW must see list, Serenity/Firefly also appears on the front page of TV Guide it appears.
Expect to see some serious ramping up in July/August re promo of Serenity.
I've seen professional stunt-drivers -- who know their cars very well -- pull that kind of reverse-move dealie with such elan that they can pull into a parking spot while coming off the spin. That sort can change a car's vector in violent fashion without causing damage to the car, but I bet most people can't.
I've heard it recommended that you practice on a rental car....
Rent a car, try it, then steal a car and try it! Thanks, tommyrot!
And props to Nutty for use of the word élan. That was the name of our high school literary magazine, and the reason I very quickly learned the ASCII code for é.