Burnout

Overview
Burnout is a technique introduced in Midnight Club 2 and has appeared in every subsequent game since. The technique involves using the handbrake and accelerator to spin the tires to gain traction which results in an improved launch from a standstill. In its first appearance, it has to be unlocked from racing an opponent, but in its subsequent appearances, it is unlocked from the start.

Midnight Club II
Burnout is unlocked after racing Diego in Los Angeles. It is initiated by holding both the handbrake and accelerator while at a standstill. The vehicle will begin to spin its tires while in place. Letting go of the handbrake will cause the vehicle to take off with improved acceleration over a normal start. During the duration of the burnout the player can swing the car to the left or right to adjust take off direction. Doing a burnout for extended periods of time will slowly cause damage to the vehicle.

Midnight Club III: Dub Edition
Burnout remains mostly unchanged from its last appearance. Instead of an unlock, it is available from the start of the game. Like the last game it is initiated by holding the accelerator and handbrake at the same time. Thanks to the increase in game speed, vehicles can now pivot in a much faster circle.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles
Burnout once again returns, albeit in a much more realistic fashion. Vehicles will now produce wheelspin when launching and can actually lose control in some circumstances.

Trivia

 * Despite causing damage to the players vehicle, it's impossible for the car to total from damage caused by a burnout
 * Due to the way burnouts are depicted, AWD and 4x4 vehicles act as RWD vehicles instead and will spin their rear tires.
 * The Volkswagen Golf R32, and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII however act as FWD cars and will spin their front tires instead. Most likely due to platforms being FWD based.
 * In Midnight Club: Los Angeles, the Volkswagen Golf R32 (Mk.V) and the Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX spin their front tires, while all other all-wheel drive cars spin their rear tires.
 * The 1971 Bestia is unique in that it's the only vehicle capable of performing a wheelie after a successful burnout.
 * To a lesser extent in Midnight Club III, muscle cars will lift their front ends after a burnout. This can be mitigated with a wheelie bar, however.
 * It is possible to hold reverse and handbrake at the same time to produce a burnout as well. Letting go will produce the same effect as if the player used the accelerator to initiate the burnout but in reverse.