How to perform a J-turn / J turn

A J-turn is a method of changing direction by 180 degrees rapidly, starting in reverse and ending up pointing forwards. This is predominantly an evasive manoeuvre, but is also a lot of fun. When trying to learn this technique, it's worth using low grip surfaces such as a grassy field, a wet area of tarmac, or an ice rink!

Once your confident, you can work up to dry tarmac, but you'll need more speed which means things could go wrong faster. The beautiful thing about J-turns is that you don't need a performance car to pull one off.

Flash movie: J-turn

Steps A to E are illustrated in Figure 2.

A. Start off in reverse gear slightly to the right hand side of the track (for a clockwise car rotation), ensuring the coast is clear behind you. Suggested steering position for is shown in Figure 1. Now accelerate to between 15 and 25 mph (depending on how slippery the ground is) and keep the power on.

Figure 1: Suggested hand position on the steering wheel

Figure 2: A J-turn illustrated

B. Simultaneously come off the power (transferring the weight to the back of the car) and rapidly apply half of a turn of steering lock. If you're finding it hard to get the front round, try increasing speed or use a quick flick of opposite lock before hand to unsettle the car. Watch out as the front of the car will momentarily move closer to the right hand side of the track, so ensure there are no obstacles there.

C. Mid way through the turn, when the front wheels are parallel with the track, stab the brakes and clutch, locking up the front wheels.

Start to take off the steering lock.

D. As the car rotates around, select first gear, come off the brake, apply some gas and release the clutch.

E. Hopefully you'll be pointing in the right general direction, so accelerate away.