Buzz
Car drifting involves skillfully sliding the rear end of your vehicle around corners. It's a technique popular in racing and recreational driving. Drifting is most achievable with rear-wheel-drive cars. Initiating a drift involves causing the rear wheels to lose traction. The power over technique is the most common method, achieved by turning the car's wheel to shift its weight. Other techniques, like a handbrake slide for automatic cars or a clutch kick for manual cars, can also be employed. When executed safely and correctly, drifting using these techniques can provide an exhilarating experience.
Steps
Choosing the Right Car and Practice Location
Opt for a manual transmission car for easier drifting. Manual transmission cars offer more control with a clutch pedal and gear shift, allowing you to better manage speed and angle while drifting around bends.
Pro Tip: Even in an automatic car, you can still pull off some drifts using the handbrake technique. Give the handbrake a tug to initiate the turn, but expect it to take some practice before you perfect it!
Opt for a rear-wheel drive car for better drifting performance. Rear-wheel drive vehicles offer superior control during drifts as the engine powers only the rear wheels. Conversely, other car types distribute power to the front or all four wheels, making them less suitable for drifting. Prioritize rear-wheel drive cars when selecting a vehicle, consulting the owner’s manual or online resources to confirm the drivetrain configuration.
- Alternatively, consider a 4-wheel drive car with stronger rear-wheel power. Test driving different models will help you identify those with better rear-wheel traction.
- Front-wheel drive cars pose challenges for drifting due to their tendency to understeer, limiting maneuverability.
Start with worn-out tires to facilitate initiating drifts. Worn tires offer reduced traction, enabling easier sliding when navigating bends. While the condition of the front tires is less critical, aged rear tires significantly impact drift performance. Consider keeping a spare set of tires for installation before practice sessions. Even inexpensive new tires can enhance drifting capabilities.
- Many vehicles feature automatic stability or steering control systems. Disabling these aids can simplify drifting if tire changes alone prove insufficient. However, operating without these systems requires advanced vehicle handling skills.
Choose a safe, secluded location to practice drifting away from traffic. Drifting poses inherent risks and should be conducted away from busy roads and structures. Seek out racetracks or deserted parking lots for practice, marking the area with barrels if needed.
- Research nearby racetracks online and inquire about private bookings for uninterrupted practice sessions.
- Drifting may be easier on damp surfaces, such as after light rain or snowfall. Exercise caution, as slippery conditions can amplify risks associated with drifting.
Executing a Power Over Drift
Approach the turn at approximately 30 mi (48 km) per hour. This speed is optimal for executing a slide around the corner. If you're driving a manual, shift into second gear and rev the engine to 3,000 RPM. Going too fast risks losing control, while going too slow may hinder completing the drift.
- In drifting, speed isn't paramount; maintaining control is crucial for destabilizing the car's balance and ensuring safety.
Turn the steering wheel towards the bend. Initiate the turn as soon as you enter it, gently rotating the wheel without applying excessive force. This positions the car for the drift, although you're not quite ready to start yet. Keep the car close to the inside of the turn for now.
- Keep your hands on the wheel for immediate maneuverability. During a power over, it controls both the drift and the car's alignment.
Rotate the wheel towards the corner while pressing the throttle. Aim to perform both actions simultaneously. Apply significant pressure to the gas pedal while turning the wheel forcefully. Successful execution results in the car beginning to spin as the rear wheels lose traction.
- If initiating the drift proves challenging, consider using the handbrake or clutch. Combining these techniques with the power over can assist.
Steer away from the bend to initiate the drift around the turn. Act swiftly to maintain control of the car. Upon success, the car will align with your intended direction. Remember to exert force on the wheel to straighten the car, while continuing to apply throttle.
- Inadequate force may result in the car's rear end spinning completely, leading to a loss of control.
Pro Tip: Be cautious not to overlook the throttle. It's common to forget to utilize the gas pedal at this stage, particularly for novice drifters.
Realign the car once you navigate the bend. Ease off the throttle to decrease speed. As the car stabilizes, gradually steer the wheel back towards the bend. Concentrate on directing the car towards your intended path.
- Once the front of the car clears the bend, you can start heading back onto the road. When the car stabilizes completely, you can accelerate away.
Utilizing the Handbrake for Automatic Drifting
Approach the turn at approximately 30 mi (48 km) per hour. While this speed might seem modest, it's sufficient to negotiate the curve without risking loss of control. Shift the car into second gear using the gear shift and monitor the RPM on the dashboard, aiming for 3,000 RPM.
- Contrary to popular belief, speed isn't the crucial factor in drifting. Instead of chasing high speeds, enter the turn at a moderate pace that allows for better control without spinning out.
Initiate a quick turn of the wheel as you begin maneuvering around the bend. If space permits, guide the car towards the outer edge of the road before initiating the drift towards the inner part of the turn as you approach it. This approach provides ample opportunity to smoothly arc the car around the curve by making slight adjustments to the steering wheel. As you approach the bend, swiftly turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction, away from the turn.
Pro Tip: Mastering the timing is crucial in drifting, and it can be challenging initially. Remember, the goal is to guide the car in a gradual arc around the turn, rather than navigating a sharp corner.
Engage the handbrake and depress the clutch to unsettle the rear wheels. Apply firm pressure on the clutch to increase throttle. If you're too gentle, you might not generate enough power to initiate the power slide. Simultaneously, pull up the handbrake to induce traction loss in the rear wheels. Once you feel the car start to slide, focus on maneuvering it around the curve.
- With certain vehicles, accelerating and turning may suffice to initiate the drift. Many vehicles handle well enough that an abrupt pull of the handbrake is also necessary.
- Oversteering occurs when the car turns more than anticipated. If your car is properly positioned, oversteering allows you to power slide around the bend.
Apply acceleration as you approach the midpoint of the turn. Allow the car to continue sliding. Leave the handbrake untouched for now, but prepare to release the clutch as soon as you press the accelerator. Depress the pedal firmly to keep the tires spinning. The extra power will aid in navigating the turn.
- Maintain pressure on the gas pedal. Completing a drift doesn't necessitate significant acceleration, but ensure your car doesn't slow down.
- If you sense the car veering too much to complete the drift, additional acceleration usually helps. However, too much could result in spinning out!
Adjust the steering toward the curve upon reaching the halfway point. Maintain your speed and trajectory upon entering the turn. Around halfway through, turn the steering wheel to align the car with your desired direction. Keep it aimed toward the inner part of the road ahead. As you drift around the bend, the car will continue to rotate slightly until you can straighten it out.
- You'll need to multitask to maintain the car's balance and direction simultaneously. Remember to keep your foot on the gas while steering and keep an eye on the car's path.
Increase throttle input if the car requires more turning. Press down on the gas pedal to increase throttle. This action opens the throttle, allowing more air into the engine. You'll gain better traction this way and be able to turn further into the corner. Generally, keep the pedal pressed about 80% of the way down and adjust as necessary based on your car's handling.
- If necessary, ease off the gas slightly to extend the drift away from the center of the turn. Aim to keep the car near the middle of the road as the front end begins moving toward the inner part of the turn.
- Monitor the rear end of the car. If it appears to rotate too much, reduce pressure on the gas pedal slightly to prevent further rotation.
Maintain steady throttle while steering to realign the car. As you start exiting the turn, gradually turn the wheel in the opposite direction. Do so slowly to prevent fishtailing. Your instinct may urge you to release the gas pedal, but doing so will prematurely end the slide. Keep your foot steady until you can drive away.
- Your natural inclination might be to lift off the gas pedal and allow the car to drift on its own. It's a common reflex that's easy to overlook when you're learning. However, remember that if you've made it this far, the car won't spin out when you use the gas pedal to control it.
- If you're traveling too fast and feel the car starting to spin, quickly tap the brakes a couple of times.
- If you're struggling to complete the slide, you may need more power. Press down harder on the gas or approach the turn at a higher speed.
Executing a Clutch Kick in a Manual Transmission Car
Approach the inner edge of a curve at a moderate speed. Shift the car into second gear using the gear shift. Accelerate to reach a speed of 30 mi (48 km) per hour and 3,000 RPM. As you approach the curve, position the car close to the inside of the track to allow ample space for sliding around it.
- Avoid excessive speed, as it may make drifting challenging. If you find it difficult to control the car around a curve, try reducing your speed slightly.
Turn into the curve to initiate power sliding. Rotate the steering wheel in the direction of the curve as you normally would when navigating a corner. Maintain pressure on the accelerator, depressing it approximately 80% of the way to increase throttle. As you enter the curve, continue steering toward your intended direction of travel.
Tip: As you enter the curve, you can swiftly turn the wheel in the opposite direction. This action helps unsettle the rear wheels if you encounter difficulty initiating a drift using the clutch pedal.
Engage and disengage the clutch pedal repeatedly to initiate drifting. The car will start stabilizing as the rear wheels regain traction. Prevent this by maintaining the drift. Apply firm pressure on the clutch, release it, and repeat rapidly. You'll know it's working when the car continues rotating without any reduction in speed.
- While operating the clutch, keep your other foot firmly on the gas pedal. The car requires the power produced by the open throttle to navigate the curve.
Utilize the clutch once more if you sense a loss of power or control in the car. Quickly pressing the clutch can revitalize the engine, enabling the car to maneuver through the turn with vigor. Aim to position the car in the center of the road as you approach the end of the turn. If the car struggles to reach the desired position, intermittently engaging the clutch can be beneficial.
- Similarly, refrain from clutching if you encounter understeering, where the car fails to turn as desired. Allow it to regain traction while gently guiding it around the curve.
Realign the car by releasing the wheel and clutch. After navigating the curve, gradually turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction. Initially, the car will be nearly facing the near side of the road. Maintain pressure on the gas pedal to prevent the car from spinning out while correcting its trajectory. Accelerate away once the realignment is complete.
- Excessive steering may cause the car's rear end to oscillate like a pendulum when the wheels fail to grip the surface.
- Reducing throttle may hinder the car's ability to fully drift around the curve. Although easing off the accelerator might seem prudent to avoid mishaps, maintaining acceleration grants greater control over the vehicle.
Insights
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Drifting accelerates wear on various car components such as the clutch, brakes, and tires. Additionally, it may lead to rear suspension failures in certain vehicles.
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SUVs and pickup trucks are capable of drifting, but they are more prone to tipping over. Initial practice with a standard rear-wheel-drive car is advisable before attempting other vehicle types.
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Foot brakes offer quicker deceleration than handbrakes, providing added control when necessary.
Cautions
- Drifting poses significant risks, so ensure to practice in a controlled environment with a familiar car. Maintain a safe speed and avoid crowded areas and rugged terrain.
- While drifting might appear enjoyable, it should strictly be avoided on public roads. It is unlawful in numerous regions and carries penalties such as imprisonment, license suspension, or other sanctions.
