Sometimes when racing you want to turn a corner a little more sharply than usual.  To do this, try powersliding or brake sliding through the corner.  Either of these methods will get you closer to the inside of the corner.  You may need to do this in order to dive inside another rider, or maybe just to avoid an obstacle (a downed rider perhaps?).

First things first, some definitions because Powersliding and Brake sliding are two different things:

• Powersliding is using the gas to spin the rear tire to make a sharper corner,

Roncada powersliding.
Photo courtsey of TFS

• Brake sliding refers to locking up the rear wheel to spin the rear of the bike around to make a sharper corner.  You see arenacross and supercross riders using this technique a lot.

Buckelew brake sliding into the first turn.
Photo courtsey of TFS

To perform either techniques takes a good level of skill and you should be very careful when practicing them!!

To Powerslide:

As you enter the corner (say a slow 1st or 2nd gear corner, no ruts, firm dirt), pull in the clutch slightly as you approach the corner's apex, then increase the amount of throttle while releasing the clutch rather abruptly. 

This will cause the rear wheel to spin while the bike exits the apex of the corner, thus making the bike perform a sharper corner. The rear wheel will no longer be in line with the front wheel.  The front wheel will be pointed forward while the rear drifts to the outside a little (see photos below).  Great care is needed here to not spin out, or worse, high side the motorcycle at this point.

Notice how Vuillemin moves forward on the bike 
to help modulate how much weight 
(i.e. traction) is on the rear wheel.
Photo courtsey of TFS

Wonder Boy showing how it's done.  Check out his clutch finger!
Photo courtsey of TFS

To practice powersliding, find a flat patch of firm dirt and do 'doughnuts' over and over (one foot on the ground and let the bike spin around and around). Keep doing them so you get a feel for how the rear tire breaks away from the grip of the dirt and spins free. Powersliding takes years to master and even Pros mess it up all the time.

To brake slide:

As you approach the (sharp, slow, rutless) corner, pull in your clutch and place a lot of pressure on the rear brake. 

While doing so, steer the bike to the inside of the corner, leaning in as you do so. The rear wheel should slip free of the dirt's hold and slide towards the outside of the corner. These movements sort of happen all at once and cause the motorcycle to turn the corner more sharply.  As you pass the apex of the corner, begin to let out the clutch and ease onto the gas again (into a powerslide?!).

Sellards showing how you can brake slide standing up, too.
Photo courtsey of TFS

To practice brake sliding, first try going a moderate speed (2rd gear let's say) down a smooth straightaway and just locking up the rear wheel at first.  Get used to that feeling and then gradually use your body (either sitting or standing) to coax the rear end to the left or to the right as the bike slows down.  You may find yourself twisting your body to accomplish this.  Remember, don't exagerate the move, just do it several times increasing each time the amount you twist to get the desired effect.

These are the step by step instructions for performing these moves, but practice, practice, practice is everything. Consider taking Lee Steeves' motocross school later this summer - he and I will be teaching these kinds of techniques. Above all, take your time and make sure you progress the difficulty in steps equivalent to your skill level. 

Good luck, and ride safe! 

Roddy MacLeod