Perfecting my drifting technique, advice please [Archive]

astraboy

26-11-2003, 13:30

Right then, yesterday I went to the Driftracing.com practice day at North Weald Airfield (TOP day out btw, really enjoyed it.) When I finally got onto the handling circuit I was getting it down pretty good, esp with the last 180 at the top of the circuit. Drifting all the way round it.:cool:
After looking at the video footage though, one thing is lacking. Entry speed. At the moment I am slowing down on the way into the bend, Declutching, and dumping it with loads of revs to unstick the rear tyres. It works really well but the lack on entry speed makes the whole thing look waft. Does anyone have any advice on ways to unsitck the tyres without having to slow down too much?
Any advice would be appreciated, all I've got to do is suss this one out and my drifting is pretty much there.
Cheers in advance,
astraboy.

SteveCarter200

26-11-2003, 13:48

Handbrake.

26-11-2003, 13:49

Ever heard of the "Scandinavain Flick" ???

Bean Bandit

26-11-2003, 14:01

as steve says if it wont skip use the handbrake alternativly, depends on how much space you have try weight shifting the car with a short side to side movement (needs quite some practice but's fun if you get hang of it).

Hates_

26-11-2003, 17:04

Get yourself the Drift Bible :thumbs:

Jason

26-11-2003, 17:31

balls of steel!! just gotta have the confidence to increase your entry speed more and more.... scandanavian flick to off- balance the car....... dooorrriiiffftttooooooo:thumbs:

um, forgive me for being naieve but whats the drift bible?? did jesus go drifting?? :eek: i didnt think RWD had been invented 2000 years ago:confused:

Bean Bandit

26-11-2003, 17:37

it's a dvd with Keiichi Tsuchiya aka drift king - he realy desrvs that title;)

Hates_

26-11-2003, 17:40

Best Motoring's Keiichi Tsuchiya did a DVD on drifting techniques... Tis very good...

http://cars.ign.com/articles/436/436584p1.html?fromint=1

http://www.performancecardvds.com/products/bmi/se-drift-bible/thumbs.shtml

PhilMorrison

26-11-2003, 17:40

yeah the drift bible is a good place to start, but it's so dated even Keiichi does'nt drift like that anymore..

RohanC

26-11-2003, 17:40

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=drift+bible&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&meta=

http://www.drifting.com/Drift_Bible.php

http://forums.bit-tech.net/images/smilies/bitsearch.gif

;) :D :)

Hates_

26-11-2003, 17:40

Originally posted by Bean Bandit
it's a dvd with Keiichi Tsuchiya aka drift king - he realy desrvs that title;) Too true :thumbs: :thumbs:

Hates_

26-11-2003, 17:41

Originally posted by Phatty
yeah the drift bible is a good place to start, but it's so dated even Keiichi does'nt drift like that anymore.. How does he drift now?

RohanC

26-11-2003, 17:41

Originally posted by Phatty
yeah the drift bible is a good place to start, but it's so dated even Keiichi does'nt drift like that anymore..

Surely the basic principles are the same though??

PhilMorrison

26-11-2003, 17:43

yeah that's why it's good for beginners :)

Hates_

26-11-2003, 17:45

Originally posted by Phatty
yeah that's why it's good for beginners :) LoL :notworthy :notworthy

Genjuro

26-11-2003, 17:45

Is there any news on the silverstone practice days next year yet? I relly want to get to some asap, but north weald is a bit out of the way for me and its always on a week day. :(

PhilMorrison

26-11-2003, 18:00

in the drift bible he never uses the handbrake, and IIRC says that only novices use the handbrake.. if u watch any of the more recent incar D1 footage, they do things very differently, balancing the car on entry into a corner alternating between foot and handbrake, also using it to extend a straight line drift (while sideways) when they are going to come up short on a corner.

Keiichi is the man, and the video shows how smooth and gracefull drift can look, but from what I can remember there was only 1 section he did that I though was spectacular, and that was him f*cking up in 3rd gear and only just pulling it off.. I wish I'd seen the DB when I 1st got interested, it would have been very usefull then..

PhilMorrison

26-11-2003, 18:01

Genjuro: not yet mate, sorry :indiff:

Hates_

26-11-2003, 18:04

Originally posted by Phatty
in the drift bible he never uses the handbrake, and IIRC says that only novices use the handbrake.. if u watch any of the more recent incar D1 footage, they do things very differently, balancing the car on entry into a corner alternating between foot and handbrake, also using it to extend a straight line drift (while sideways) when they are going to come up short on a corner. Just curious, did you use your handbrake alot at the D1 Comp? I was under the impression that you and the rest of the days top were braking and flicking to unsettle the car and it was just the beginners like me who were tugging on the handbrake?

YorkshireRam

26-11-2003, 18:54

when i've been playing, i haven't used the handbrake to induce the slide, i turn into the apex line and lift off, so long as you've just dropped a cog which gives you the weight transfer, then apply throttle to control. my problem is that i'm so too used to the racing line rather than the drift line, doesn't feel as natural yet.

just practice, and go in faster rather than slower or you'll find it harder.... may result in a few more offs but hey *fonzy style arm spread*

:D

26-11-2003, 19:24

Originally posted by YorkshireRam
i turn into the apex line and lift off, so long as you've just dropped a cog which gives you the weight transfer, then apply throttle to control.

scandanavian flick

edd

26-11-2003, 19:52

pinched my avatar :rant:

:ghey: :wave:

Hates_

26-11-2003, 19:56

Originally posted by YorkshireRam
my problem is that i'm so too used to the racing line rather than the drift line, doesn't feel as natural yet.That's the exact problem I have. The line you go for feels so unnatural and then when you do start to drift I tend to over correct rather then correct it enough to hold it.

PhilMorrison

26-11-2003, 20:06

I seem to do it differently to most, I approach the corner to fast, use a combination of Scandanavian flick and footbrake to step out, then I have to fluctuate between foot and handbrake to scrub off some speed, then a little clutch dump midway and power out :)

Midgers

26-11-2003, 20:14

In the drift bible he says "just use the old E brake" Loads, he's talking about when the car naturally understeers and you need to do something to break rear end traction.

I found using the handbrake to start a drift absolutely invaluable, especially when there's not much room to play with. The Oval at Crail for example. On a slippy surface like the drift competition when silverstone was wet, I found just turning in to the corner sharpish was enought for the back to step out... but my rear tyres were at 45psi.

Next time I'll be trying to get sideways way before the corner, and the first thing I'll be trying is the old E brake ;)
I'll probably try shifting the weight from right to left to right on the straight before the corner and hopefully timing it right to set me up for the corner... but that's tricky as fook so I fully expect to beach it :D

Astraboy - depending on where you are it might be worth making a trip up here on a sunday and coming to Crail. It costs £7 to get on the site, then £5 for all day on the oval. and £15 for unlimited dragstrip runs if that floats your boat too ;)

The best advice, I think, is practice. Sorry it's a bit cliche but you learn more every time you go out. Other than that Study drift vids :D

Sibbers

26-11-2003, 20:43

I might be a bit weird, but to get the back end out, I find it easier to stamp sharply on the footbrake and steer suddenly (while your rear wheels are unweighted and have sod all grip) to flick the arse out, than to use the handbrake... I used to do that all the time in my FWD sunny zx coupe ;) then that thing with the trees.... *ahem* anyway, moving on :o

This drift bible looks ace, might have to invest in that right away!

Can't wait to get half decent at drifting in my new motor :)

Munky

26-11-2003, 20:46

Erm, I thought a Scandanavian flick was where you turn out (away from the corner) as you approach, and then 'flick' it deep into the corner as normal?

Dave H

26-11-2003, 20:54

It is, basically you just want to unsettle the car und use the weight distribution to your advantage, difficult to master though.

I for one am so glad that drifting is taking off, was brought up on a diet of crap 70's rwd cars, we used to have drifting competitions on the local showground back in the mid 80's in our mk1/2 escorts, manta's, chevettes and the like, my dads old datsun laurel 2.4 was pretty good for drifting, untill I took a fence out with it. :D

Wallers

26-11-2003, 20:57

It is, it's how I erm drift in games :rolleyes:

RohanC

26-11-2003, 21:00

Originally posted by Munky
Erm, I thought a Scandanavian flick was where you turn out (away from the corner) as you approach, and then 'flick' it deep into the corner as normal?

So did i..... but i understood you gave the brakes a sharp stab just b4 you turn back in.........

The chap who told me the technique refered to it as a Derby Turn though..... works a treat in SWB front drive cars :)

Munky

26-11-2003, 21:09

Well, either way, once I've reset my ECU from the old boy that used to own my 200SX, and get my new wheels...the stock alloys are gonna be the drifting wheels :D

I think a track day learning to drift will actually help with finding the 'limits' of the car and making me appreciate it in the wet...

At least, that's what I've told the missus. I'm used to driving in the wet, I lived in Vancouver for the first 26 years of my life ;)

ATrull

26-11-2003, 23:14

Hi Astraboy ! Was nice to meet you and (aargh, forgotten his name already! :whip: ) SuperDriftImprezleMan! (oh, my imagination... :whip:)

I also came away realising how much I need to learn ;) I span out on that chicane at the far end .. alot! The instructor essentialy said I should start by just inducing oversteer without any additional power than I had made before entering the corner and then applying power once I'd reached the sidewaysness I wanted for the corner.

That last corner was wicked once I'd managed to do that :)

I went to bed last night feeling as though I'd been on a ship all day :D I feel the urge for more, much more practice :)

It was a really good crowd out there, a wide range of drivers, overflow of skillful people too. Everyone was mature and well manered(sp :D), which was a relief. I followed Julian the crazy irishman in his beemer estate home till he turned off for watford. I'm sold on ireland now :D

My only criticism of the event is that they should and could have put down more water earlier during the event, since almost everything before 12 was power cars doing their stuff in the dry, and you could hear it. I'll defo go out in january though :)

I think I'll be buying that book for xmas, though :) Do you have any clips of the footage online ?

in other news, I just found out my new office secretary drives an MKIV Supra! (shock!)

PazzaAE86

27-11-2003, 03:22

Originally posted by YorkshireRam
my problem is that i'm so too used to the racing line rather than the drift line, doesn't feel as natural yet.

Uhh.. Im sorry but the drift line through a corner should be the same as the racing line! You come in wide, hit the apex mid turn and go out wide upon exiting. All while sideways :)

Infact, if you watch the video's from the recent D1UK we had, the only way i could make that last turn in 3rd gear was if i got on the racing line and stayed there. If i didnt enter right and apex correctly, i couldnt make the turn. Take Phatty's best drift around the same turn, he took a nice line through it.

The line you take around a corner is one of the most important things, and it not just me saying this. D1 Japan judges mark drivers down heavily for not taking a good, fast line through a corner.. You may of heard Keiichi and co. screaming "outo outo outo".. They are refering to a wide, in-accurate line... And the driver is thusly marked down.

Tiff Needel was onto a good thing at the last comp, wanting drivers to hit racing lines during a drift.. I hope that criteria stays in the judged rounds next year. Not cus im any good at it, but its somthing that will help us improve greatly...

Paz

Hates_

27-11-2003, 10:52

Originally posted by PazzaAE86
Uhh.. Im sorry but the drift line through a corner should be the same as the racing line!I should have written that it feels compeltely un-natural trying to take a racing line sideways. :D

My head tells me to plough in straight on and clear it as cleanly as possible without any over/under steer!!!

YorkshireRam

27-11-2003, 14:39

Originally posted by Hates_
I should have written that it feels compeltely un-natural trying to take a racing line sideways. :D

My head tells me to plough in straight on and clear it as cleanly as possible without any over/under steer!!!

this is a fair point, the way to enter a corner when racing is to sort the braking and gears before the turn-in, then constant speed to apex, then accelerate out. i suppose the only difference in drifting the car around the corner is a slightly different exit line ,cos you can end up more on the inner side of the corner rather than the outside, no doubt as you get better at it, sticking to the racing line under drift would be easier.

good thing about drifting is that every corner is a showcase! and no pile-ups like in racing!

one thing I have wondered tho.. how are you supposed to hold the steering wheel when drifting, 9-3 position, or just a one-hander and truck steering knob! so u can get the hand out! lol

:D

Hates_

27-11-2003, 14:47

Originally posted by YorkshireRam
one thing I have wondered tho.. how are you supposed to hold the steering wheel when drifting, 9-3 position, or just a one-hander and truck steering knob! so u can get the hand out! lol

:D One hand on the wheel, the other waving out the window :D :D :D

(lol just realised thats what you said! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: )

PazzaAE86

27-11-2003, 18:48

astraboy

28-11-2003, 15:23

Yes lads, Thank you very much!
Handbrake, Scandanavian flick, Brake and turn in, I'll be trying them all to see what works best at the next drift day and not at the next wet roundabout I come to. Honest.:thumbs:
Cheers again,
astraboy.

manic_mechanic

28-11-2003, 15:42

Originally posted by PazzaAE86
Uhh.. Im sorry but the drift line through a corner should be the same as the racing line! You come in wide, hit the apex mid turn and go out wide upon exiting. All while sideways :)

Paz

Is this the "perfect" racing line or the "slow in, fast out" racing line?

R33-Drifter

28-11-2003, 16:07

Originally posted by astraboy
next wet roundabout I come to

I'd keep it to the track/drift days if I was you, just not worth the hassle if you get caught!

PhilMorrison

28-11-2003, 16:14

Originally posted by AdeGT4
I'd keep it to the track/drift days if I was you, just not worth the hassle if you get caught!

:nod: :nod: :nod:

PazzaAE86

28-11-2003, 16:16

Originally posted by manic_mechanic
Is this the "perfect" racing line or the "slow in, fast out" racing line?

Well, with either of those you still enter on the outside of the track, take your chosen line aiming for your clipping point, then run out wide to the outside of the track upon exiting, no? But exit and entrance speed will be alot differant than actual racing and so "slow in, fast out" isnt really applicable for drifting id guess (wheels spinning upon exit, losing drive out of the turn etc).

However, following that line around a corner whilst drifting doesnt seem to easy.. Its somthing i want to try and get better at if i can.

Paz :)

PhilMorrison

28-11-2003, 16:19

Originally posted by PazzaAE86
However, following that line around a corner whilst drifting doesnt seem to easy.. Its somthing i want to try and get better at if i can.

Paz :)

Can cost alot of aero getting it right I heard :D

PazzaAE86

28-11-2003, 16:25

Originally posted by Phatty
Can cost alot of aero getting it right I heard :D

I think im selling my Aero and putting the Kouki OEM bumper back on... Perhaps ill drive like less of a sissy without it?! :D But selling it is all in the name of progress, im sure it will be worth it in the end.. Mmmm... New plans ahoy!

Paz