Dérapage –with an acute é- is a French term mainly used in car racing (though also in skiing). It describes a rapid way of negotiating a bend for a racing car or motorbike – calling for a mixture of driver panache and maximum reliance on machine performance.
Some skilfully coordinated manoeuvres are required:
• Power transmission, via the accelerator, initiating a controlled drift; this presupposes vehicle power.
• Swerve, a firm flick of the wheel/handlebars.
• Braking, using the front brake without locking the wheel(s), which reduces the grip of the back wheel(s) and causes dérapage.
• A quick change-down as one brakes.
A daring operation even for an expert. Like the Derapage of eyewear: “The look is for those who dare”.
