Brand: Optimum Balance Products (OBP)
Handbrake turns are common in rallying and Solo II (parking lot autocross) events. Success depends on quickly locking and then releasing the rear brakes, but a stock cable-operated system will not act quickly enough to allow full control. Hydraulic handbrakes work much faster, and with more precision than cable systems. This is why hydraulic handbrakes are found on all professional rally cars. They can also be used to help hold a car at the starting line of a road race or drag race.
This polished aluminum unit features a very short 11" (280mm) round handle with a thin layer of padding and an 8-position locking mechanism. The lock can be used to hold the car briefly while checking in at the end of a stage. The lock swings up and clips out of the way to prevent accidental locking during competition. The handle is vertical at rest, and the master cylinder (sold separately) points to the rear of the car (assuming the driver pulls the handle to activate it).
To install, bolt the base to the transmission tunnel so the handle is near the steering wheel (you may need to reinforce the tunnel to reduce flexing). Connect the rear brake line from the footbrake master cylinder outlet to your handbrake master cylinder inlet. Connect the line from your handbrake master outlet to the rear brakes. When the handbrake is off, the brakes will function normally.
Note: Not for use as a parking brake! Hydraulic handbrakes are for competition use only. They do not maintain pressure for more than a few minutes, which will eventually let the car roll away. The lock feature is intended to hold the car for only a minute or two before being released.
