Drifting in recent years has come a long way from an illegal amateur hobby to a full-fledged motor sport, which is increasingly paying attention to both ordinary car lovers and athletes seeking to experience new emotions while driving.

What is drift

In simple terms, drifting is the long-term driving of a car in a controlled skid.

It is known that a controlled drift is one of the important elements in a rally race, when the driver of the car enters the turn at top speed and leads it on the verge of stall into an uncontrolled slip.

Drift, on the other hand, initially provides for sliding in a drift as an independent “discipline”, that is, it is precisely from the duration, “quality” and effectiveness of sliding in a drift that the pilot’s skill and, in the case of a competition, the final winner are determined.

The popularity of drifting as a sport is due to the factor of its "compactness". In principle, drifting competitions do not require large autodromes, ring tracks or rally tracks.

Cars go to the race in turn and do not compete in speed with each other, thanks to which competitions can be held in small areas, car-free parking lots - in a word, within the boundaries of a modern city without significant risk to participants and others.

That is why the attitude towards drifters on the part of the authorities turned out to be more loyal than towards street racers and other representatives of “automobile” subcultures.

In our life, as well as on the European continent in general, drifting came from the USA and Japan - countries where the automotive industry produced many powerful rear-wheel drive cars that are best suited for this kind of competition.

Video - the best drifters show the wonders of driving:

In addition, a number of tuning companies quickly caught on to the trend and introduced a number of "improvements" for such cars, including special shock absorbers and spacers that not only do not interfere, but also contribute to the effective breakdown of the car into a slip. What automakers avoid when setting up the suspension of “civilian” cars, in the case of drifting, is the most valuable quality.

In addition, the production of special cross-axle differentials for the rear axle has been launched, which allows you to slow down and even block one of the wheels, which allows you to perform long-term sliding. Previously, such improvements were carried out by drifters on their own in garage workshops.

In fact, such a refinement allows you to use the car in the usual way (for example, during daily trips and to arrive at the competition site), as well as directly as a drift car.

Basic Techniques

The difference between drifting and traditional types of motorsport is its “democratic nature”. In it, in the manner of its origin and conduct, there were no rigidly established canons and regulations characteristic of racing. Accordingly, a large number of drifting techniques have been formed, of which some have become applied locally, while others have become widespread.

We will look at the common techniques that are widely used in drifting today.

Hand braking drift

This type of drifting is the easiest to learn and originates from the well-known trick - "police turn" using a handbrake. In this technique, the "handbrake" also acts as the main element of controlling the car in a skid.

The main advantage of the method is the ability to correct errors, as well as compensation for understeer, and can be performed on a front-wheel drive car that is not well suited for drifting.

For this reason, Hand braking drift is used both in amateur competitions and is an important element in the training program for professionals.

Actually, the technique itself lies in the fact that the pilot provokes the development of skidding by pressing the clutch and a sharp jerk of the handbrake handle, due to which the skidding of the rear axle develops.

Video - a professional drifter with a demonstration performance in the center of St. Petersburg:

The clutch pedal is then released. It is important that the engine speed should be maintained when the clutch is depressed, and the speed and severity of the brake lever jerk varies from the situation and the state of the track surface.

Often a series of separate jerks is used to correct the trajectory. Importantly, this drifting technique allows for efficient slips on vehicles with low mass and power that do not have a self-locking differential.

The only significant refinement of the car may be the use of a hydraulic handbrake, since the usual “handbrake” with a cable drive often does not withstand the load, and the drive cables stretch or break.

Clutch Kick

This method involves a sharp release of the clutch at high speeds. Thanks to the method, it is possible to give short-term power surges that can break the wheels of the rear axle into slip.

The convenience of the method lies in the ability to dose the degree of drift, but the technique is difficult to master and requires jeweler work with a pedal. The method is sensitive to errors, and therefore poorly suited for beginners at the initial stage.

Yorindrift

This drift technique provides for the slipping of not one of the axles, but all four wheels. It is achieved by braking at the apex of the turn.

The risk is that it is important for the pilot to be able to quickly get the car out of slip in order to avoid the development of an uncontrolled skid with a complete loss of control.

Kanteria / feintdrift

This drifting technique has its origins in the world of rallying, where it is called "Swing" or "Whip". This is exactly the same controlled skid that is used by rally pilots to pass S-shaped turns or chicanes.

In this case, skidding is not an end in itself, but is carried out as a preparation for confident entry into a bunch of turns.

Braking Drift

The method implies a full release of the brake at the beginning of the entry into the turn until the apex is reached, after which the pedal is released.

This leads to the fact that at the beginning of the corner entry there is a shift in the mass point of the car, and then a sharp “unloading”, as a result of which the rear wheels break into a skid. Drift control is carried out by means of corrective steering movements and the supply of "gas".

dynamic drift

This type of dynamic drifting is performed by abruptly releasing the gas at the stage of entering a long turn. It is corrected by the steering wheel and short-term impulse braking.

It has the highest degree of risk and is intended for use by professionals.

The advantages of the method include complete indifference to the type of vehicle - such a drift can be performed on any car that does not have any training.

The danger of the technique lies in the high risk of developing uncontrolled drift and sensitivity to any piloting error.

Power over drift

The very name of this drifting technique speaks of the principle inherent in it - excess power.

This type of drift is used on powerful cars and is performed as follows: to enter into a skid, the steering wheel is sharply turned to the side by the pilot, after which the gas pedal is pressed all the way. The power of the motor breaks the wheels into slip. To exit the skid, the gas is released, and the steering wheel is turned in the opposite direction.

This technique has most taken root in the United States when driving on the so-called muscle cars - powerful rear-wheel drive coupes with multi-liter power units that have high power characteristics and “responsiveness” to pressing the “gas”.

side braking drift

This type of drifting is designed for side sliding of the car, when the rear wheel failure “puts” the car sideways. By correcting the slip with the steering wheel and gas, the pilot is able to drive the car in this way for quite a long time, and the evaluation of the quality of the drift depends on the time that the car spends in the slip.

fast drift

This is the so-called "high-speed drift", focused on high vehicle speeds.

It is impossible to use this type of drift in tight areas, and it is performed on a prepared track or autodrome. With this type of drift, steering wheel adjustments are made less, and this leads to an increase in tire life.

Choku-dori

This method is used to reduce the speed at the exit of a straight section and perform a deep skid. Braking is done by sliding and angling the vehicle to the road for optimal cornering.

Manjidrift

It is produced on a straight section of the road by rocking the car from one part of the carriageway to another. Often used in drifting demonstrations and used as a preparatory stage for other techniques.

The most widespread in the UAE due to the specifics of local roads with an abundance of long straights.

What cars are suitable for drifting

If we talk about which cars are best suited for drifting, we can conditionally say that, in principle, any car model can be used for this type of motorsport, except, perhaps, all-wheel drive.

However, drifters are also inclined to believe that front-wheel drive cars are also not suitable for these tasks, with the exception of very few techniques, and therefore they are basically not used.

Characteristics

The following characteristics are important for drifting:

• Power characteristics. The presence of a powerful engine is an important element that allows you to pilot a car in any type of drift. For this reason, avid drifters prefer to use powerful overseas or Japanese coupe models, which, moreover, have good weight distribution, which is also important, and also have neutral or oversteer.

• Light weight. For a drift car, the combination of low body weight with power characteristics is very important. The lighter the car, the easier it is to break it into a skid. However, drifters avoid lightweight sports cars like the Lotus Elise, as they are center-engined and are much more difficult to pull off. In addition, they are expensive and their maintenance is not cost-effective during the competition.

• Low ground clearance. A drift car, ideally, should have a weight distribution of 60 to 40. This is achieved due to the low landing, which allows you to confidently drive the car in a skid without the risk of tipping over, even in the event of a side collision with an obstacle (for example, a curb or curb).

• The presence of a self-locking differential. The use of a differential on the rear axle allows you to achieve braking of one of the wheels, oversteer and confident stalling of the car into a skid. Its presence is extremely important for most drifting techniques.

Which drive is better

We have already answered this question several times, but we will repeat it again. The best drive for a drift car is rear with a front-engine layout.

This option allows you to transfer power directly to the “stall” axle and provide minimal oversteer, which is extremely important in drifting.

Another advantage of rear-wheel drive is the weight distribution of the car itself, which is optimal for this type of motor sport.

Body

As already mentioned, an important element in preparing a car for drifting is to reduce its weight. Torsional rigidity is also extremely important.

It is to solve these two problems that the bodies of drift cars are being finalized. As a rule, a “basic” refinement includes lightening the body by removing all unnecessary elements (seats, soundproofing, audio systems, etc.).

In addition, a safety cage is installed inside, which is mandatory if the car participates in official competitions. To improve rigidity, it is recommended to weld the body with additional points, which will improve factory performance.

In professional training, tuners often go further, replacing fenders, hood, hood and trunk lids with fiberglass or carbon fiber.

Glasses are replaced with polycarbonate ones, about 3 mm thick. Such drastic measures allow you to get an additional 10-20 percent weight reduction, which can be decisive in serious drifting competitions. As a rule, in such cases there are also sponsors who are ready to invest in a promising team or pilot.

Suspension

The requirements for the suspension of a drift car are no less stringent than for the body. Its difference is the already mentioned low ground clearance and at the same time maximum rigidity to reduce rolls.

Such kits are now available from all major suspension manufacturers and, in most cases, have the word Coil-Over in the kit name. Such spare parts are available as an option in the sports catalog or in the catalogs of tuning parts.

It is worth paying attention to the presence of a swivel joint at the upper supports of the racks. Its presence has a positive effect on the handling of the drift car due to the absence of rubber elements in them.

The disadvantage is that the shocks to the body are transmitted much more sharply and the overall driving comfort drops dramatically. Therefore, such a refinement is good in the case of preparing a special car for the competition, and not for the everyday vehicle of an amateur drifter.

It is also recommended to replace the suspension arms with adjustable ones with a swivel joint in the area of ​​silent blocks. By the way, the state of silent blocks should be constantly monitored and replaced when the very first signs of wear appear.

The use of stretch marks on the suspension struts, as well as anti-roll bars of increased rigidity, also has a positive effect.

The best drift cars

Among the products of the global automotive industry, there are not so many cars that are especially loved by drifters. This is due to the fact that modern models, for the most part, have front-wheel drive and are not well suited for tuning, as well as serious participation in competitions.

In this compilation, we will try to talk about the most popular drift cars that can most often be seen during competitions.

Japanese

As a rule, drift cars based on Japanese cars are built on the basis of Nissan models produced in the late 80s and early 90s. There are also some Honda and Toyota models, but they are much less popular.

So, consider the most successful car models:

Nissan Skyline

Both the sedan and coupe versions are in demand due to the combination of weight distribution, dynamic performance and high power of power units. "Skalines" have proven themselves to be highly reliable and have the widest possibilities for refinement.

Video - drift on the Nissan Skyline:

It is not for nothing that today most tuning companies are still actively producing and selling kits for finalizing cars of this series.

Silvia

This Nissan model was produced both in the form of a sedan and a hatchback and was distinguished by sporty handling, as well as powerful engines.

So, the S 15 version was distinguished by a body with increased rigidity, a 250-horsepower power unit, a six-speed manual transmission and an LSD series differential.

This variation is suitable for drifting with little or no modifications, but it is expensive even in the secondary market.

Nissan Cefiro A 31

Another successful model from the point of view of drift lovers, featuring high dynamic performance and refined handling.

Cefiro engines, in most cases, are refined to obtain the best power characteristics, and their reliability allows tuning without a significant reduction in engine life.

Toyota Corolla Trueno

This budget, at the time of its appearance, the car has become today one of the symbols of drifting. This is due to a well-adjusted rear-wheel drive layout and low weight, which, even with an engine power of only 130 forces, allows you to effectively drift on a car that has not undergone significant tuning.

Video - drift on Toyota Corolla Trueno:

Due to its low cost, this model is good for initial learning to drift.

Toyota Supra (MR2)

These two models were originally positioned as sports cars and have proven handling characteristics. The presence of rear-wheel drive, a powerful motor and low weight make these models an excellent choice for both beginners and professional drifters.

MazdaMX-5

This lightweight roadster has a very lively character and a rigid body despite the lack of a roof. An excellent choice of drift car that combines spectacular looks and excellent sporting qualities.

European

Compared to Japan, there were far fewer drift-suitable models produced in Europe. However, there were models in the range of some companies that were very fond of drifters and today perform excellently on the racetrack.

bmw 3-series

The legendary three-wheelers of the late 80s and early 90s act as a kind of standard for European drift cars. Perhaps this is one of the best newbie cars due to the price, a wide selection of parts (including tuning) and good reliability.

There is only one drawback - finding an unkilled "three-ruble note" on the market is a problem.

bmw 5-series

"Fives" drifters love and appreciate, especially - models of 1993-2000 release. Despite the high mass, these machines had excellent engines, had high power and, importantly, had optimal weight distribution along the axes.

Video - drifting on the BMW 5 Series:

I must say that the matter is not limited to this number of models. For example, some experts recognized that the legendary Jaguar XJ of the early 80s of the last century was suitable for drifting!

Actually, the reason for this was the power and distribution of mass along the axes. Another thing is that the owner of a chrome-plated retro handsome man is unlikely to want to burn rubber for the sake of spectacular cornering.

Conclusion

Drifting is an exciting and, most importantly, multifaceted sport. In this material, we tried to tell only about a small part of its features.

It should be noted that this hobby is far from being for poor people - modifying a car, buying new tires for each race - this hobby is not very cheap.

However, if it really interests you, you will dive into the world of high speeds and the smell of burnt tires, gaining additional riding experience and a number of other skills that will surely come in handy in other areas of life.

Unique Automotive Scan Tool Pro