⚙️ Slipper clutch
An adjustable friction clutch on the spur gear that lets the drivetrain slip under sudden load, protecting gears and managing wheelspin.
A looser slipper softens the power hit; tighter puts it all down.
What it actually does
A slipper clutch is a friction plate in the drivetrain that is allowed to slip under a sudden load spike. It exists to protect gears and driveshafts from the shock of a hard landing or a full-throttle launch, and to stop a powerful motor simply flipping the car over backwards.
In practice
It is set with a spring-loaded nut: tighter transmits more power and slips less, looser protects more and softens the hit. The usual method is to tighten it fully, then back it off until the car accelerates hard without the wheels lighting up or the car wheelieing over.
Worth knowing
A slipper set too loose generates heat and glazes its pads, and you will smell it before you see it. If acceleration has gone vague and the car feels like it is losing drive, check the slipper before blaming the motor.