There’s something special about donuts – no not just the fried ones – but the burning rubber and smoking tires type. It’s a celebration of freedom and a way to literally leave your mark after a major accomplishment. The thrill of watching from the stands or side of the track as an expert driver like BFGoodrich Performance Team Member RJ Anderson makes a perfect race donut is something that everyone out there deserves to experience at least once.
Do not try a donut at home, on a normal road or even out on a trail somewhere. Drifting and creating donuts is a careful balance between driver skill and performance equipment and knowing just how far the driver can take things before losing control. That’s why it is always important to have proper training and great equipment on the vehicle such as BFGoodrich® Tires to support the driver’s skills properly.
With 87 total overall race wins in Baja – home of the famous Baja 1000 -- and more wins than any other tire company, BFGoodrich® Tires know something about how to celebrate with a perfect donut!
What is a Race Donut?
A race donut – or victory doughnut – is the act of turning your car so that the rear of the vehicle rotates continuously around the front. This results in a circular pattern of skid marks being left on pavement or tire grooves on other surfaces. In other parts of the world this maneuver is also known as doing a sedy, making cookies, round brownies, a cyclone turning, diffing, or even spinning brodies. Regardless of where you are though, it’s a fun thing to watch a professional do properly.
Donuts are best performed by rear-wheel-drive vehicles that are able to send lots of power to the rear wheels but still maintain control in the front. However, with practice almost any car can perform a donut – you just need the right circumstances and lots of practice to perform them well.
Safety First!
Safety is critical in all motor sports activities and it’s doubly true here as well. Donuts rely on tires that in good shape, with low risk of sudden pressure loss or blowouts. While this risk is less on surfaces like snow, ice, mud, or dirt – you must always have good tires so you can maintain a closed loop safely.
Additionally, professional drivers are intimately aware of their vehicle’s abilities and limits. This includes not just the tires but also other aspects such as suspension and equipment that helps reduce roll.
Professional drivers also always wear proper safety equipment including race suits, gloves, and helmet to protect them should the unexpected happen.
Location, Location, Location …
While you typically see donuts done at the end of the race as a victory celebration – it’s not just a coincidence. This is also when it is most safe since the track is clear of other vehicles as well as bystanders.
Off the track, some perfect areas include flat sandy washes, frozen lakes, and snowy fields that are clear of any obstacles.
Practice Makes Perfect …
You don’t get to the point where drivers like RJ Anderson are without lots of practice. It’s a lot more difficult than simply driving the car in a circle really fast. You need to consider things like proper gear ratio, how tight you can do the donut without losing control, and how good your equipment is matched to your ability.
While you should NEVER practice donuts on public roads and even on private property without proper training and supervision, the great thing is that the experience BFGoodrich® has gained from years of earning the right to do victory donuts has translated into tires that will help you stay safe on the road as well.
For instance, while you may see the BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A® KR2 on race day, it’s technology has been adapted to the BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A® KO2 that helps keep you in control while exploring dirt and sand covered roads.
