Doughnut (driving)

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A doughnut or donut is a maneuver performed while driving a vehicle. Performing this maneuver entails rotating the rear or front of the vehicle around the opposite set of wheels in a continuous motion, creating (ideally) a circular skid-mark pattern of rubber on a roadway and possibly even cause the tires to emit smoke from friction.

Other terms used for describing this maneuver include "spinning brodies / doing a brodie" or "making cookies / cutting cookies".

Doughnuts are more easily performed on wet and frozen surfaces (ice and snow). When performed in the snow it is more often done to have fun than it is to make an earnest attempt at creating the circular skid mark pattern. In the Australian outback, doughnuts performed in the dust or mud areas of land are colloquially referred to as "circle work".[[1]] Displays are usually performed at Bachelor and Spinster Balls. [[2]]

Performing the doughnut maneuver can be hazardous. Strain is placed on the vehicle's suspension and drivetrain, which may result in mechanical breakdown with loss of control. Tires are also subject to severe wear which may result in a sudden loss of pressure or "blow out".

Auto racers often do this in celebration of a race victory, and to entertain the fans after the race has finished. Notable drivers who are credited with starting the use of doughnuts as a victory celebration were Dale Earnhardt in NASCAR, Ron Hornaday Jr. in Craftsman Truck Series, Colin McRae in WRC and formerly Alex Zanardi in CART.