What quanifies a proper drift?

[John]

Let's get some discussion going on here since it's been rather quiet lately. There are people who see drifting and say that it's nothing new and that they have been doing it for years. However, when these people go out and do their 'drift' it turns out to be nothing more than a power induced oversteer on corner exit. I'm not saying to definte the word 'drift' since that is almost impossible but what I am asking is what does a proper drift mean to you specifically.

To me, a proper drift is done from corner entrance to corner exit with the slip angle being controlled by the drive wheels (ie: RWD).

[slideways2004]

my view of drifting is almost like john's. enter the corner sideways, stay sideways through the turn, and on the exit make your slide into a straight and get get ready for your next turn. if you're a badass drifter get sideways before the turn, push out a lot of smoke, crazy angle, and kiss the wall :rock:

i hate people that think drifting is just power slides and shit. "hey i just drifted" no you you just over-steered a little

drift heaven rules :rock:

[initial what?]

the most important word is CONTROL. without control of your car, people will do alot more than just kiss the wall.

[Sickboy]

A good drift: set up into corner, smoothness, angle (to the utmost ability of the car), speed control, transition to next straight or turn.

To me: "To Drift" is better defined, separated, and understood as "drifting"

Reason is.. A single slide, overpower, "fishtail", whatever or what have you is not as involved or as much of a preplanned driver execution of, or a series of executed combined "drift(s)"... Its not just corners. Its the straight aways and turns...an almost slalom like series of combined movements to maintain (as fluid and long as possible) constant angles. DriftING throughout a predesignated course from entry to exit. Its not usually the fastest way through (maybe in Touge [downhill race], but still questionable)... style + grace + skills. Many believe its losing control and maintaining it.. I do not think so.. it is constant control. So when you see these "boats" with soft suspension swinging from side to side in a wide open area; ask yourself "Is he in control?, or just reacting to the car after purposely inducing loss of traction?" Don't get me wrong, I encourage it.. its learning and most of all FUN. Which is what its all about and you have to start somewhere. Its better to develop a feel for it while not plowing into a street corner or someone elses car.

The standard "we've been doing doing this for years" mentality is a debate of intent. As well, the ideas and reason behind it are different. To many, the powerslide is/can be the fastest way around a course/track/corner, but they are not entering already in angle or with intent to take the vehicle to the most extreme angle. Another constantly related debate: oval dirt track racers, usually a big argument... I have got one word for that PAVEMENT. Take those same turn left purpose built cars and turn the opposite way on flat concrete with no banks.

Drift videos (http://www.motorworx.com) Nago Circuit - Courtesy of Matt from Motorworx; Okinawa, JP

As stated before is it all about control and intent. Although there is always a little counter-action even with almost total control, its inevitable.. which is why even the pros wreck occasionally.. external factors not predicted or miscalculations that can't be countered.

Then again, I'm a nobody and my car isn't out running right now.. so theres no merit to this spiel.

Thanks John for the topic.. not too shabby. :thumb:

[John]

Hey Jason, it's interesting that you bring up the circle track sprint cars. I am actually under the belief that, if track surface traction is limited, drifting IS the faster way around the corner. Those of you who watch any sort of rally racing you will notice that the drivers will slide through most corners when the road surface is dirt or gravel and rarely do so when the surface is tarmac. But even in those situations I am hard pressed to consider it true drifting because drifting is more of a 'show' thing than performance driving. They do it so they can set their car pointing in the right direction as they exit the corner, not to give spectators a show by swinging their tail out wide. Even in road racing, the fastest drivers will slide the car as they exit a corner because they are maximizing the traction of their tires. It is difficult to tell that they are sliding because it is a very small amount compared to drifting but if you ever get a chance to ride with a fast driver you will definitely notice it.

[emotiongear]

Right. Drifting has nothing to do with losing control. Its ALL about control. This is why most of the cars in D1 Japan use the stickiest and highest performance tires: Neova AD07's :thumb:
Lets translate that in pictures...

http://andromeda.lunarpages.com/~emotio2/cgi-bin/japan/drift2.jpg

[TopSeller]

^^ thanks for the background

[emotiongear]

^^ thanks for the background

:thumb:

[Ris4Drift]

imo.

simply a CONTROLLED slide.

extreme emphasis on CONTROLLED.

[Projext D]

A good drift: set up into corner, smoothness, angle (to the utmost ability of the car), speed control, transition to next straight or turn.

To me: "To Drift" is better defined, separated, and understood as "drifting"

Reason is.. A single slide, overpower, "fishtail", whatever or what have you is not as involved or as much of a preplanned driver execution of, or a series of executed combined "drift(s)"... Its not just corners. Its the straight aways and turns...an almost slalom like series of combined movements to maintain (as fluid and long as possible) constant angles. DriftING throughout a predesignated course from entry to exit. Its not usually the fastest way through (maybe in Touge [downhill race], but still questionable)... style + grace + skills. Many believe its losing control and maintaining it.. I do not think so.. it is constant control. So when you see these "boats" with soft suspension swinging from side to side in a wide open area; ask yourself "Is he in control?, or just reacting to the car after purposely inducing loss of traction?" Don't get me wrong, I encourage it.. its learning and most of all FUN. Which is what its all about and you have to start somewhere. Its better to develop a feel for it while not plowing into a street corner or someone elses car.

The standard "we've been doing doing this for years" mentality is a debate of intent. As well, the ideas and reason behind it are different. To many, the powerslide is/can be the fastest way around a course/track/corner, but they are not entering already in angle or with intent to take the vehicle to the most extreme angle. Another constantly related debate: oval dirt track racers, usually a big argument... I have got one word for that PAVEMENT. Take those same turn left purpose built cars and turn the opposite way on flat concrete with no banks.

Drift videos (http://www.motorworx.com) Nago Circuit - Courtesy of Matt from Motorworx; Okinawa, JP

As stated before is it all about control and intent. Although there is always a little counter-action even with almost total control, its inevitable.. which is why even the pros wreck occasionally.. external factors not predicted or miscalculations that can't be countered.

Then again, I'm a nobody and my car isn't out running right now.. so theres no merit to this spiel.

Thanks John for the topic.. not too shabby. :thumb:


I'm with him in that one, Drifting is a ARt!

Drift on! :rock:

[ArchangelX]

I'm with him in that one, Drifting is a ARt!

Drift on! :rock:
:wrd:
To see a properly executed drift, to me is like seeing a masterpiece painting. Drift is beatiful. Powersliding is not. But we all have to start somewhere. I've never drifted, but i've lost the back end under power, I'll admit that. But it's something you have to do to familiarize yourself with you're car so that you can start controlling your car w/o the rear wheels having traction.

I'm still a bit sleepy, so that might not make any sense. For this, i apologize.