Taking sharp corners here in the US is generally a simple procedure, since the roads are generally wide and smooth, especially compared to my home country, New Zealand, or parts of Europe. There are some things to be aware of however before you do this: remember, not all cars are created equal, know your vehicle and be aware of the limits of your own ability.

Straightening the curves, is a safe and fun way of taking corners and professional racing drivers make a living out of it, since top speed is only part of the equation to fast lap times. The basic premise is to take the corner wider on entry and first turn in, so that you change the path of travel the vehicle would traditionally take if you were in the middle or right of your lane. In this way you will take up more of the width of your lane as you move from one side of the lane to the other, aiming to clip the apex at a later point than usual. The practical reasons for doing this allow you to traverse the corner more quickly, since you are taking the corner slightly more aggressively and anticipating the bend rather than simply driving around it as you happen to come across it. By adjusting the line, you in laymans terms, straighten the corner.

So how do I do it? Firstly, you want to make sure your hands are at a quarter to three, which is what most modern vehicles are designed for, on the steering wheel. This allows you maximum control on turn in and exit and is also the grip most professional racing drivers adopt, as it gives you an ability to steer equal-distance in either directions. Then let's say you are heading down a mountain range with a large number of sharp bends and switch backs and you come to a right hand turn. As you approach the corner you will need to move the car a little further to the left of your lane towards the center line. You will brake and turn fractionally later since you will allow the car to run a little deeper. As you turn the wheel right and follow a nice arc, gently applying progressively more throttle, you should aim to clip the apex of the corner much later, finding yourself in the middle of the lane, or slightly to the right and, hopefully, carrying more speed on the exit.

Traditionally, most drivers will follow the inside arc of the corner, often touching or clipping the inside curve very early on. If you try to drive this line fast, you can't carry as much speed and more often than not, you will find yourself drifting naturally to the left, towards traffic since you have not established the correct line for the corner and will have to adjust your direction or speed accordingly. Obviously the procudure is reversed for left hand turns, you would drift a little to the right and so on so forth.

It takes a little bit of practice to get the procedure right, and it is best done on a road you know, since flying around bends you don't know could lead to disaster. Most cars are capable of straightening the curve, but some cars are more capable than others, drive within your limits and the limits of your vehicle. I am not advocating reckless driving.

I would also suggest making sure your tires are up to scratch directional tires are brilliant for this, especially in the wet and if you're driving an SUV, be very cautious, or you'll be upside down in a ditch.

Learn more about this author, Nathan Hook.
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