Drifting FAQs
What cars can 'Drift'?
Any rear-wheel-drive car can be drifted (with those having a limited-slip differential preferred), and some all-wheel-drive cars can also drift, often with less angle, but higher speed.
There is some debate over whether or not front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicles can drift. By the technical definition (rear wheels slipping at a greater angle than front wheels), they are indeed able to drift. However, many consider FWD vehicles a poor choice for drifting, as the frequent use of the emergency brake (necessary to drift FWD cars) slows them down and makes them harder to control. Also since they use their front tyres for both steering and power, the car loses control after a single slide, while RWD cars can drift through consecutive corners. In this way, the definition of drifting is frequently challenged to say that FWD cars cannot drift, only powerslide.
AWD vehicles, such as the Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, drift at a completely different angle and are usually induced by power-over (see Glossary). As the front wheels are also driven on an AWD vehicle there is a noticeable lack of counter steer. Professional competitions do not allow AWD vehicles. However, vehicles like the Impreza are being converted to only use the rear wheels so as to become a RWD car that can compete in drift competitions that prohibit AWD cars.
Is it fast?
Drifting is not the fastest way around a racetrack. It is useful in rallying because it is a quick way to point the car in the direction it will be facing at the end of the corner, but in circuit racing it is slower than conventional techniques. The only time drifting is faster in non-rally settings is where the corners are so tight, it is actually faster to slide around them than drive conventionally.
Is it new?
No. Not really. Something that started as an underground fad and developed as a high performance driving style has now been officially recognized in the world of motor sports. Many of the techniques used today in drifting were developed by rally drivers competing on dirt, gravel and snow. On such surfaces, the fastest way to take a corner is generally by sliding.
One of the earliest recorded drift events outside Japan was in 1996, held at Willow Springs Raceway in Willow Springs, California. Drifting has since exploded into a massively popular form of motorsport in North America, Australasia, and Europe. One of the first competitions in Europe was hosted in 2002 by the OPT drift club at Turweston, run by a tuning business called Option Motorsport.
Japanese drifters are still considered to be at the cutting edge of technique and car development, but their American counterparts are quickly catching up!
Is it a growing sport?
Drifting is the fastest growing form of motor sport in the world. What started as an underground activity on the mountain roads of Japan has developed into a high profile professional sport in that country and over the last 2 years it has exploded in popularity throughout the world with competition reaching Australia in 2005 with the Drift Australia Series which is now sanctioned by the Confederation of Australian Motor sport as the official Australian Drift Championship.
Where does drifting take place?
In the UK Drifting is available on circuits. This is where competitions are held and contestants are judged on a specific group of turns on a 100 point scale. Circuits are very popular but are usually only open one day a week (Sunday or Saturday).
Is the car suspension modified?
The suspension in a drift car tends to have very high spring and damper rates. Sway bars are upgraded, particularly on the rear.. Die-hard drifting enthusiasts also alter the suspension geometry to enable the car to slide better. Most cars use an integrated coilover/shock (MacPherson strut) combination. This allows the ride height to be adjusted independently of the suspension travel. There is no perfect height setting or spring/shock combo for any car. As with everything, modification of the body and suspension components is a trade-off. Hard suspension in the front and a soft suspension in the back is easiest for first timers, but a handicap at higher levels. Many suspension manufacturers offer suspension tuned specifically for drifting, allowing many people to enter the sport competitively.
Do the cars have special tyres?
The cars quite often have different tyres on the front and back, and the owner may have quite a few sets. This is because a single afternoon of drifting can destroy a new set of tyres. As a rule, good tyres go on the front for good steering. On the back, hard-compound tyres are used, quite often second-hand ones as they tend to end up in a cloud of smoke. 15" wheels are common on the rear.
In addition, for the typical "drift car look," the tyres are stretched over a wide rim. The only real performance benefit of stretching tyres on the wheel is that it lowers the overall height of the sidewall and can add a feeling of firmness to turning and decrease body roll associated to a weak sidewall.
What modifications are made to the cars?
Because of the large sideways forces, drivers find it preferable to be retained firmly by a bucket seats and harness. This allows the hands to merely turn the wheel, as opposed to bracing oneself against the wheel. The steering wheel should be relatively small, dished, and perfectly round, so that it can be released and allowed to spin through the hands as the caster returns the front wheels to center. The locking knob on the hand brake is usually replaced with a spin turn knob, this stops the hand brake locking on when pulled. Some drivers move the hand brake location or add an extra hydraulic hand brake actuator for greater braking force. Many drivers make use of additional gauges to monitor such things as boost levels, oil, intake and coolant temperatures. Body kits are often attached with cable ties. When the body kit meets the wall or curb, the cable ties snap, releasing the part, as opposed to breaking it. Aero also helps for cooling while the car is sideways.
Does the car need a powerful engine?
No. Engine power does not need to be high, and in fact if a car has too much power (e.g. more than 500 bhp), it can be very hard to handle during a drift. Each driver has their own preference, and drift cars can be found with anything from 100bhp (74kW) to 1000bhp (745kW). Engines must also be equipped with upgraded cooling systems. Not only are the engines pushed very hard, creating lots of heat, but being driven at an angle reduces the airflow through the radiator. For turbocharged engines, intercooler efficiency is similarly reduced. Oil coolers are almost essential.
Does the steering need adjustments?
With increased steering angle, it is possible to achieve greater angle with the vehicle. It will also aid in spin recovery. This is often done with spacers on the steering rack. Increased steering angle often requires other modifications as at some point the tyre or wheel will come in contact with other suspension pieces or even the bumpers.
What about spoilers?
As drift cars are pushed faster, aerodynamic tuning becomes more important as well. Rear spoilers and wings are usually only useful in large, open tracks where the cars develop enough speed to create a need for more downforce. Wheel arches are often rolled or flared to allow the fitment of larger tyres. Airflow to the engine is critical, so the hood is often vented.
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