What is "lift throttle" and how does it related to car lost control when racing? Thanks.

 

taking the foot off the gas when the car is already in a good lean, enough to unbalance the car, unload the weight off the rear tires, and allowing the rear to step out of line.

 

It has to do with weight transfer. Ever notice how the rear of a car lowers when it accelerates? thats because the virtual center of gravity moves rearward under acceleration (called weight transfer) effectively putting more weight on the rear tires. When you are going ***** out around a corner the inside rear tire unloads, it can even lift off the pavement entirely, so the outside rear tire is doing all the work. If you stop acelerating and 'lift the throttle' you will unload the rear tire and find yourself looking back at where you just were in a split second.

in other words, avoid lifting the throttle if at all possible. If you go into a corner too hot you should back off the gas but keep a little power on just to keep the car steady. Open the turn a little if you have to but don't lift, you will just go into a spin if you do.

Mike

 

Thanks guys for the excellent explanation.