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Drifting in real life involves controlling a car in a way that makes it intentionally slide or "drift" sideways through a turn, while maintaining control. It looks awesome in movies, but it takes a lot of practice and skill. Here’s a basic overview of how drifting works, and some tips if you want to try it out (though be sure to always practice in a safe and controlled environment, like a racetrack or a drift school).
1. Get the Right Car
- Rear-Wheel Drive: Drifting is much easier with a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) car. This is because the rear wheels lose traction, which is key to drifting.
- Manual Transmission: A car with a manual transmission gives you more control over the power and throttle, which is important for drifting.
- Power: More power isn’t always better, but a car with decent horsepower (like 200-300 hp) can make learning easier.
- LSD (Limited Slip Differential): This helps distribute power evenly to both rear wheels, making it easier to break traction and keep the car sliding.
2. Find the Right Environment
- Closed Track or Empty Parking Lot: Never try drifting on public roads. It’s dangerous and illegal. Find a safe, controlled environment.
- Tires: A set of tires that’s not too grippy helps. Many professional drifters use worn tires, which help break traction more easily.
3. Basic Drifting Techniques
The Clutch Kick:
This is one of the most common ways to initiate a drift, especially with manual cars.
- Start at a decent speed (around 30-40 mph is good for beginners).
- Approach a corner, and when you’re about to enter, quickly push the clutch in (this disconnects the engine from the wheels).
- While the clutch is in, rev the engine to a higher RPM.
- Release the clutch quickly and press the gas pedal. This sudden power surge will cause the rear tires to lose traction, and the car will start sliding.
- Once the car begins to slide, you’ll need to counter-steer (turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction) to control the drift.
The Handbrake Drift:
This method uses the handbrake (or e-brake) to help break the rear wheels loose.
- Enter the corner at a moderate speed.
- As you approach the corner, pull the handbrake quickly while still pressing the throttle.
- The rear tires will lock up and break traction, causing the back of the car to swing around.
- As the car drifts, release the handbrake and steer into the slide to regain control.
The Power Over Drift:
This method uses throttle control to initiate and maintain the drift.
- While driving, push the accelerator to increase power (rev up the engine).
- When you turn into the corner, keep the throttle steady. If you feel the rear tires losing traction, you can give a little more throttle to keep the slide going.
- Control the angle of the drift with the steering wheel and throttle input.
4. Essential Skills to Master
- Throttle Control: Knowing how to balance the gas pedal is critical. Too much throttle and you’ll spin out; too little and you’ll lose the drift.
- Steering and Counter-Steering: When you’re drifting, you’ll often need to steer in the opposite direction to keep the car from spinning.
- Car Balance: Drifting is all about balance—balancing the weight of the car, throttle input, and steering. As you get more skilled, you'll be able to maintain the drift longer and with more precision.
5. Safety Tips
- Wear a Helmet: Even though you're in a safe environment, always protect your head.
- Don’t Drift Alone: It's always better to have someone with you in case something goes wrong.
- Start Slow: Don’t try to pull off crazy drifts right away. Start with low-speed corners and work your way up.
- Know Your Limits: Always understand the limits of your car and your skill level.
6. Practice, Practice, Practice
Drifting takes a lot of time to master. You will make mistakes, and that's okay. Start with low-speed drifts and gradually work up to higher speeds and more complex maneuvers.
Lastly, if you're serious about learning to drift, consider taking a class or attending a drift school. They can teach you the right techniques and help you learn in a safe, controlled setting.
Just remember: Always stay safe, and never try drifting on public roads!
1. Get the Right Car
- Rear-Wheel Drive: Drifting is much easier with a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) car. This is because the rear wheels lose traction, which is key to drifting.- Manual Transmission: A car with a manual transmission gives you more control over the power and throttle, which is important for drifting.
- Power: More power isn’t always better, but a car with decent horsepower (like 200-300 hp) can make learning easier.
- LSD (Limited Slip Differential): This helps distribute power evenly to both rear wheels, making it easier to break traction and keep the car sliding.
2. Find the Right Environment
- Closed Track or Empty Parking Lot: Never try drifting on public roads. It’s dangerous and illegal. Find a safe, controlled environment.- Tires: A set of tires that’s not too grippy helps. Many professional drifters use worn tires, which help break traction more easily.
3. Basic Drifting Techniques
The Clutch Kick:
This is one of the most common ways to initiate a drift, especially with manual cars.- Start at a decent speed (around 30-40 mph is good for beginners).
- Approach a corner, and when you’re about to enter, quickly push the clutch in (this disconnects the engine from the wheels).
- While the clutch is in, rev the engine to a higher RPM.
- Release the clutch quickly and press the gas pedal. This sudden power surge will cause the rear tires to lose traction, and the car will start sliding.
- Once the car begins to slide, you’ll need to counter-steer (turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction) to control the drift.
The Handbrake Drift:
This method uses the handbrake (or e-brake) to help break the rear wheels loose.- Enter the corner at a moderate speed.
- As you approach the corner, pull the handbrake quickly while still pressing the throttle.
- The rear tires will lock up and break traction, causing the back of the car to swing around.
- As the car drifts, release the handbrake and steer into the slide to regain control.
The Power Over Drift:
This method uses throttle control to initiate and maintain the drift.- While driving, push the accelerator to increase power (rev up the engine).
- When you turn into the corner, keep the throttle steady. If you feel the rear tires losing traction, you can give a little more throttle to keep the slide going.
- Control the angle of the drift with the steering wheel and throttle input.
4. Essential Skills to Master
- Throttle Control: Knowing how to balance the gas pedal is critical. Too much throttle and you’ll spin out; too little and you’ll lose the drift.- Steering and Counter-Steering: When you’re drifting, you’ll often need to steer in the opposite direction to keep the car from spinning.
- Car Balance: Drifting is all about balance—balancing the weight of the car, throttle input, and steering. As you get more skilled, you'll be able to maintain the drift longer and with more precision.
5. Safety Tips
- Wear a Helmet: Even though you're in a safe environment, always protect your head.- Don’t Drift Alone: It's always better to have someone with you in case something goes wrong.
- Start Slow: Don’t try to pull off crazy drifts right away. Start with low-speed corners and work your way up.
- Know Your Limits: Always understand the limits of your car and your skill level.
6. Practice, Practice, Practice
Drifting takes a lot of time to master. You will make mistakes, and that's okay. Start with low-speed drifts and gradually work up to higher speeds and more complex maneuvers.Lastly, if you're serious about learning to drift, consider taking a class or attending a drift school. They can teach you the right techniques and help you learn in a safe, controlled setting.
Just remember: Always stay safe, and never try drifting on public roads!