The Most Difficult Turn to Make, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the turn you think is the most difficult!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:26
Navigating through twists and turns while driving can often pose a surprising challenge, even for seasoned drivers. Each turn holds its peculiarities, influenced by factors such as visibility, angle, and traffic flow. By ranking these turns, drivers can become aware of potential difficulties and prepare appropriately before hitting the road.
This dynamic list reflects real-time consensus from drivers like you, who vote based on their personal experiences. Your participation helps educate others about which turns to watch out for, potentially enhancing safety for everyone. Cast your votes to share your experiences and see how your opinions compare with others in the driving community.
What Is the Most Difficult Turn to Make?
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154votes
David Falconer, Photographer (NARA record: 1427627) · Public domainThis turn involves a sharp turn of 180 degrees and is considered to be the most difficult turn as it requires the driver to slow down significantly and navigate through the turn with precision.A hairpin turn is a type of extremely tight and acute turn commonly found on mountain roads or racetracks. It is characterized by a U-shape or hairpin-like bend, creating an almost 180-degree turn. The turn requires drivers to sharply navigate the bend, often requiring a significant reduction in speed.- Angle of turn: Approximately 180 degrees
- Radius: Usually less than 20 meters (66 feet)
- Speed reduction: Often requires a significant decrease in speed
- Banking: Can sometimes be cambered or banked to aid in navigation
- Sharpness: Considered one of the sharpest turns on a road or racecourse
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236votes
Qyd · CC BY-SA 3.0Corkscrew turn
Gill CampbellThis is a type of turn that involves a series of sharp turns in succession, making it difficult for the driver to maintain control and speed.The Corkscrew turn is a challenging maneuver commonly performed in motorsports, especially in Formula 1 racing. It is known for its unique and complex design that puts drivers and their vehicles to the test. The turn gets its name from the twisting and spiraling motion it requires to navigate through it.- Location: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Type: Hairpin turn
- Angle: 180 degrees
- Elevation Change: 55 feet
- Entry Speed: 155 mph
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330votes
Parabolic turn
Harold JohnsonThis turn is characterized by a wide radius and high speed, making it difficult for the driver to maintain control and avoid drifting.The Parabolic turn is a challenging maneuver in aviation that involves executing a turn of constant radius while maintaining a constant altitude. It is primarily used in aerial acrobatics and precision flying competitions.- Radius: Varies depending on the aircraft and pilot's skill
- Altitude: Remains constant throughout the turn
- Bank angle: Usually between 45 to 60 degrees
- Pitch attitude: Varies depending on the desired performance
- Entry speed: Higher speeds for more advanced maneuvers
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411votesThis turn involves a series of quick turns in succession, requiring the driver to slow down and navigate through the turns with precision.The Chicane turn is a type of racing turn characterized by a sequence of alternating left and right turns. It is designed to slow down vehicles and test the driver's skill in navigating through tight corners.
- Curvature: Sharp and variable curvature requiring quick changes in direction.
- Width: Narrow track width to further challenge precision and control.
- Entry Speed: High entry speeds followed by rapid deceleration.
- Surface Conditions: Varied surface conditions, including changes in grip levels.
- Length: Variable length, typically shorter than straight sections of the track.
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524votesThis is a type of turn that involves a series of quick turns in succession, making it difficult for the driver to maintain control and avoid drifting.The 'S-turn' is a difficult turn to make in various forms of motorsports, particularly in racing circuits and drifting. It involves a series of consecutive turns in opposite directions, forming an 'S' shape on the track. The objective is to maintain control and control the trajectory while minimizing speed loss during the transition between turns.
- Track Layout: Curves designed in an 'S' shape
- Difficulty Level: High
- Speed: Varies depending on the race type and vehicle
- Grip Level: Critical to maintain grip on the track surface
- Technique: Precise throttle, braking, and steering inputs
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611votesThis turn involves a series of quick turns in succession, requiring the driver to maintain control and avoid drifting while navigating through the turns.The Esses turn, also known as the S-bend or S-curve, is a challenging and technical turn frequently found in motorsports and racing circuits. The turn consists of a sequence of alternating left and right bends linked together, forming a snake-like pattern along the track.
- Number of Bends: Usually consists of three to six bends, but can vary depending on the circuit.
- Bend Angle: Typically have a range of 45 to 90 degrees, offering a significant change in direction.
- Entry Speed: Entry speeds can vary depending on the type of vehicles, but generally require a careful balance between maintaining speed and maintaining control.
- Apex Points: The Esses turn often has multiple apex points, requiring precise line selection and trajectory planning.
- Passing Opportunities: The tight nature of the Esses turn makes it difficult for overtaking, but skilled drivers may find opportunities for strategic overtakes.
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711votes
Double-apex turn
Michael SchumacherThis turn involves a series of two turns in succession, requiring the driver to maintain control and speed while navigating through the turns.The Double-apex turn is a challenging racing maneuver performed on a racetrack. It involves taking a corner in two distinct apexes or points of maximum curvature, instead of a single apex like in a regular turn. This technique allows for better control, speed management, and faster acceleration out of the turn.- Turn type: Racing maneuver
- Number of apexes: 2
- Purpose: Enhanced control and speed management
- Advantages: Better cornering, improved acceleration
- Difficulty level: High
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88votesThis turn involves a slope that is angled away from the direction of the turn, making it difficult for the driver to maintain control and avoid drifting.An off-camber turn is a challenging type of turn encountered in motorsports, especially on race tracks or off-road circuits. It is characterized by the banking or slope of the road surface, in which the outer edge of the turn is higher than the inner edge, creating a camber that goes against the intended direction of the turn. This makes it difficult for vehicles to maintain traction and forces drivers to carefully navigate the corner.
- Angle of Off-camber: Varies depending on the track or terrain
- Banking Angle: Usually between 5 to 15 degrees
- Track Surface: Paved or off-road, containing the off-camber section
- Vehicle Type: Cars, motorcycles, or other motorized vehicles
- Speed: Depends on the corner, ranging from slow to high speeds
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914votesThis turn involves a lack of visibility, making it difficult for the driver to anticipate the turn and navigate through it with precision.A blind turn refers to a type of turn in motoring where the view of the oncoming traffic or the road ahead is obstructed, making it challenging to judge the safety to proceed. The term is commonly used in the context of sharp turns or junctions with limited visibility.
- Difficulty: High
- Visibility: Limited
- Risk level: High
- Potential hazards: Oncoming traffic, pedestrians, cyclists
- Required caution: High
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106votesThis turn involves a long, sweeping turn that requires the driver to maintain control and speed while navigating through the turn.The Carousel turn is a complex and challenging maneuver in aviation that is often performed during airshows or aerobatic demonstrations. It involves the aircraft executing a coordinated turn while maintaining a constant bank angle and altitude. The primary objective of the Carousel turn is to showcase the aircraft's maneuvering capability, precision, and control.
- Type: Aerobatic maneuver
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Bank Angle: Usually between 60 to 90 degrees
- Angle of Attack: High
- Altitude: Varies, typically performed at medium to high altitudes
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Ranking factors for difficult turn
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VisibilityLimited visibility due to factors such as blind spots, obstructed views, or poor lighting can make a turn more challenging. Rain, fog, or snow can also impact visibility and make a turn more difficult.
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Angle of the turnThe sharpness of the turn can affect its difficulty. For example, 90-degree turns, U-turns, or hairpin turns may require more skill and attention than gentler curves.
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Road conditionsWet, icy, or uneven road surfaces can impact traction and make a turn more difficult. Road markings and traffic signals also influence the complexity of the turn.
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TrafficThe volume and flow of traffic around the turn can significantly affect its difficulty. Higher traffic density, pedestrians, bicycles, or other obstacles can make proper positioning, signaling, and merging more challenging.
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SpeedThe required speed adjustment during the turn will impact its difficulty. Entering or exiting a highway, for instance, may require a significant speed change which can make the maneuver more difficult.
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Vehicle characteristicsThe size, handling, and performance of the vehicle you are driving can impact the difficulty of the turn. A larger vehicle or one with poor handling may be more challenging to maneuver through a tight turn than a small, agile car.
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Experience levelThe skill and experience level of the driver also plays a role in determining the difficulty of a turn. A novice driver may find certain turns to be more challenging than an experienced driver with a greater understanding of their vehicle's capabilities and limitations.
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Road designThe design of the turn itself, including width and curvature, as well as any additional features such as shoulders, turn lanes, or medians, can contribute to the difficulty of the maneuver.
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Time pressure or stressPerforming a difficult turn under time pressure or while experiencing stress can further increase the challenge of the maneuver.
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DistractionsBoth inside and outside the vehicle, distractions can impact a driver's ability to properly execute a turn. These could include navigation screens, cell phones, or other passengers in the car, or external distractions like billboards or crowded streetscapes.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult turn to make. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or turn is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1893 views
- 204 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each turn once every 24 hours. The rank of each turn is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most difficult turn to make
When it comes to driving, making turns is a crucial skill that every driver must master. However, not all turns are created equal, and some can be particularly challenging to execute. In fact, according to a recent survey on StrawPoll, the most difficult turn to make is the left-hand turn.
There are several reasons why left turns can be tricky. For one, they often require you to cross multiple lanes of traffic, which can be dangerous if you're not paying close attention. Additionally, left turns often involve turning against oncoming traffic, which can be intimidating for new drivers or those who lack confidence behind the wheel.
But it's not just left turns that can be difficult. Other turns that ranked high on the list of most challenging included U-turns, turns on narrow roads, and turns in heavy traffic.
Whether you're a seasoned driver or just starting out, it's important to be aware of the factors that can make certain turns more difficult than others. By staying focused, staying alert, and practicing your skills, you can become a more confident and competent driver on the road.
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