Drift 101

[Ssynister13]

As far as I understand it, thats about it. They try to keep the tires spinning and slide the car around the corners in the a controlled "burnout" so to speak.

[Bandit]

Drifting is nothing new, professional racers have known how to "drift" since day one. It is the same thing as managing a controlled slide in an high-powered oversteering racecar. Until recently it was a condition that you wanted to avoid as much as possible in order to get around the track in the fastest time possible. Only lately it has been introduced into the States from Japan as a sort of "automotive artform" but it has nothing to do with racing. Other than the fact that some of the cars would make pretty good race cars if tuned a little more toward that end.

It does take skill to maintain controlled powerslides around a track--I'll give them that. And it does make for a pretty good show with all the smoke-inducing tire melting that goes on. Other than entertainment value it is useless, but that's all it claims to be--entertainment. The media sometimes blurs the lines between drifting events and racing due to ignorance though.

[ProdigyCustoms]

When you see a really good drifter, it can change you mind. I think the idea is to never have the rear tires followong the front tires, LOL!

[XcYZ]

I watched a drifting demo at SEMA in '05. It was really cool at first, but by the 3rd car, I was ready to move on.

You need a cushion to have real driftng.

[black2002ls]

The whole time I was reading this thread I was thinking sprint cars, nice post Scott.

[chevymitchell]

I was checking out the pics and was curious...What is hanging down by the rear tire in picture "6drift8"?

I can't make it out.

[4SpeedGirl]

Never noticed that, I think its a combo of rubber marks, shadow and reflection that makes it look crazy. No missing parts on the camaro!

Originally Posted by chevymitchell

I was checking out the pics and was curious...What is hanging down by the rear tire in picture "6drift8"?

I can't make it out.

[modmachR]

The more I watch it, the more fun it looks like to do.
I still think of it as a competitive art more than a sport though.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Originally Posted by XcYZ

I watched a drifting demo at SEMA in '05. It was really cool at first, but by the 3rd car, I was ready to move on.

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You gotta admit, those kids in the blue Skyline were pretty damn good!

[BAGDRIVER]

Liz the pics are great. But up here in THE GREAT WHITE NORTH we can do that for 4 to 6 months of the year.