Drifting is a technique that causes the back end of the car to slide around in a curve. This technique is commonly used in racing although some people do it for fun. However, drifting is easiest when you have a car with rear-wheel drive. Additionally, to find a way to make the rear wheels lose traction before starting to drift. In fact, the most common way to do this is through the power over technique where you turn the car’s wheel to throw off its weight. All in all, there are several tricks you can use with or separately from the power over technique as shown in the post below.
METHOD-1: How To Select a Car & Practicing Spot:
-Choose a manual transmission car to make drifting easier: Manual transmission vehicles have a clutch-pedal and a gear-shift you use to control the engine. However, automatic cars take care of this for you. So, when you’re drifting, the extra control enables you to achieve the correct speed and angle required to get around a bend. Note: You can still drift an automatic car by using the handbrake technique.
-Select a car with rear-wheel drive: When a vehicle has rear-wheel drive, the engine controls the rear wheels only. The rear-wheels are what you need during a drift. In fact, a car with a rear-wheel drive system is much easier to control. So, when choosing a car, figure out what kind of system it has by checking the owner’s manual or researching it online. However, you can also use a 4-wheel drive car where the engine controls all 4 wheels.
-Drive on worn-out tires for an easier time starting a drift: Worn-out tires have less traction in-order to allow your car slide more easily when you round a bend. The front tires don’t matter as much but using old rear tires makes a difference if your car doesn’t drift well. However, try saving a spare set of tires to put on your car before you practice. Note: Many cars come equipped with automatic stability or steering control systems. Turning these systems off makes drifting much easier if a change of tires aren’t enough to make a difference.
-Select a safer spot away from traffic to practice drifting: Drifting is actually dangerous and should never be done on busy roads, near buildings or anywhere else you might hit something. So, consider finding a racetrack you can practice on or look for a deserted parking lot and place a barrel on it to drift around. Consider, searching online for racetracks in your area and contact the owners.
METHOD-2: How To Perform a Power Over to Drift:
-Head toward a turn at about 30-miles (48-km) per hour: This is actually the ideal speed for sliding around the bend. In case you have a manual gear shift, put the car into second gear and rev the engine up to 3,000-RPM. However, if you go too fast then you may lose control during the drift but again if you go any slower than this then you may not have enough speed to get all the way around the bend. In drifting, good control is necessary for both destabilizing the car’s balance and also keeping you safe while drifting.
-Turn the steering-wheel in the direction of the bend: As soon as you enter the turn, begin turning towards it. After, spin the wheel gently and without a lot of force. This will set you up for the drift. However, keep the car close to the inside part of the turn for now. Additionally, keep your hands on the wheel so you’re ready to maneuver it at all times.
-Spin the wheels towards the corner while applying the throttle: Press down hard on the gas pedal and turn the wheels with force this time. If the move is successful, you will feel the car begin to spin as the back wheels lose traction. If you’re having a hard time starting the drift, using the handbrake or clutch could help. Combine the handbrake or clutch kick technique with the power over.
-Steer away from the bend to begin drifting around the turn: This should be done quickly to keep control of the car. If you’re successful, the car will point towards where you want it to go. But remember to turn the wheel with force to straighten out the car and also continue pressing on the gas to apply even more throttle. In fact, if you don’t apply enough force, the car’s back end will come all the way around, causing you to spin out.
-Straighten out the car once you get around the bend: After getting around the bend, let go of the throttle to reduce your speed. As the car begins stabilizing again, gradually rotate the wheel back toward the bend. Additionally, focus on moving the car towards where you want it to go. Once the front part of the car gets around the bend, you can begin driving towards the road & as soon as the car is stable, you can also press down on the gas to drive away.
METHOD-3: How To Use A Handbrake to Slide an Automatic Car:
-Approach the turn at about 30-miles (48-km) per hour: This speed may seem too low but it is enough to get around the curve without losing control of the car. Likewise, use the gear shift to put the car into second gear. Watch the tachymeter on the dashboard as you bring the car up to 3,000 RPM.
-Flick the wheel to the side as you start turning around the bend: In case you have room, steer the car to the outer edge of the road and then drift towards the inner part of the turn as you approach. This gives you plenty of opportunity to arc the car around the curve by turning the wheel slightly. Once you come upon the turn, flick the steering wheel in the opposite direction, away from the turn. Drifting is all about timing & getting the timing down pat can be tough at first.
-Pull the handbrake & press on the clutch to destabilize back-wheels: Push the clutch down hard to open up the throttle. If you’re too gentle, you may not generate enough power to initiate the power slide. At the same time, pull the handbrake up to cause the rear wheels to lose traction. Once you feel that the car is beginning to slide, focus on bringing it around the curve.
-Accelerate while approaching the middle of the turn: Let the car continue to slide & leave the handbrake alone for now but prepare to release the clutch as soon as you step on the accelerator. Step down hard on the pedal to keep the tires spinning because this extra power will help you get through the turn. If you feel the car turning too far to complete the drift, then more acceleration usually helps.
-Steer towards the curve once you’re halfway through it: Try maintaining your speed and trajectory as you enter the turn. Once you get about halfway, turn the steering wheel to point the car in the direction you want it to go. However, keep it pointed towards the inner part of the road ahead. Additionally, as you drift around the curve, your car will continue to turn a little until you have a chance to straighten it out. In fact, you will be busy trying to maintain the car’s balance and direction at the same time. But remember to keep your foot on the gas while steering and watching where the car is headed.
-Use the throttle more if you need the vehicle to turn more: Consider increasing the throttle by pressing down on the gas pedal. This opens the throttle which lets more air into the engine. In fact, you will get better traction this way and be able to turn more towards the corner. In general, keep the pedal down about 80% of the way and change it if needed depending on how your car handles.
-Hold the throttle steady while steering to straighten out your car: As you begin exiting the turn, start turning the wheel in the opposite direction. But do this slowly to avoid fishtailing. Likewise, keep your foot steady until you’re able to drive away. If you’re having a hard time finishing the slide, you may need more power. Press down harder on the gas or approach the turn at a faster speed.
METHOD-4: How To Perform A Clutch Kick In A Manual Car:
-Approach the inside edge of a turn at a moderate speed: Use the gear shift to put the car into second gear then step on the gas to bring the car up to 30-miles (48-km) per hour and 3,000-RPM. When you reach the turn, make sure the car is near the inner-part of the track so that you have plenty of room to slide around it. Don’t go too fast or else you will have a hard time drifting.
-Steer towards the turn to begin power sliding: Spin the wheel in the direction of the turn like you normally would when rounding a corner while keeping your foot on the gas and pressing it down at about 80% of the way to open up the throttle. As you enter the turn, continue steering toward the direction you want to travel. When you start going around the bend, you can quickly flick the wheel in the opposite direction. This will help you to destabilize the back-wheels if you’re having a hard time initiating a drift with a clutch-pedal.
-Kick the clutch-pedal in & out a few times to drift: This allows the car to begin stabilizing as the rear-wheels gain traction. Press down hard on the clutch, release it & repeat as quickly as you can. You can tell it is working when the car continues rotating without slowing down at all. While you’re working the clutch, keep your other foot firmly placed on the gas pedal because your car needs power generated from the open throttle to get through the turn.
-Use the clutch again if you feel the car is losing power or positioning: Pressing the clutch down rapidly again can rev the engine back up so that the car powers through the turn. When approaching the end of the turn, the car should end-up in the middle of the road but make sure the car has enough power to get there and finish drifting through the turn. If the car can’t reach the correct position, pumping the clutch can greatly help.
-Straighten-out the car by releasing the wheel & clutch: After getting around the bend, gradually turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction. The car will be almost facing the near side of the road until you do this. So, keep your foot on the gas pedal to ensure the car doesn’t spin out while you’re correcting its course and press down on the accelerator to speed away when you’re done.
