i'm curious how long it took people to get good at drifting..

[Future_gohan]

I'm just curious, I've been drifting for about 6 months(like 1 event a month, sometimes 2), and I can link a track but I haven't done anything really serious as my whole setup was retarded the first bit.

So i'm curious how other people were when they first started or what are somethings you did wrong that you fixed?

I noticed when i was learning how to transition I always gave it too much power and spun out, I eventually learned how to counter that by slightly hitting the breaks before transitioning.

[pinkarrowsnow]

YouTube - Mike Vogt Drifting - GoPro HD Hero - Englishtown - Nissan 240sx (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zf-KkEuPJE)

This was my first day. just steer with your feet ive progressed a ton in a season its really easy let the car drive its self and it makes everything really easy. The faster you go the easier it gets also.

[Brian]

I learned that the car will do most of the work for you. No need to try and steer it very much.

[chiboy002]

I learned that the car will do most of the work for you. No need to try and steer it very much.
can't emphasize this enough

When i sucked more than now, i would try and steer where i wanted to go (and kinda look at where i didn't which causes you to go there lol) so i would keep spinning out/over steering. When i realized that the car will do most of the work, i learned to just catch the steering wheel and slightly tweak it mid drift. Small adjustments yield large changes when drifting

[shiftdrift]

well to be honest, my 2nd event at beaverun i was doing pretty good, since then i've been killing it in indiana haha.

[Thug Life]

YouTube - Mike Vogt Drifting - GoPro HD Hero - Englishtown - Nissan 240sx (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zf-KkEuPJE)

This was my first day. just steer with your feet ive progressed a ton in a season its really easy let the car drive its self and it makes everything really easy. The faster you go the easier it gets also.

hella good song choice.

[TwItCh]

depends what situation alot of us are running fairly stock cars nut if you have the power it is easier to sum

took me not as ong as i thought just have to get ur own style on lock

[brndck]

I learned that the stickers on the car will do most of the work for you. No need to try and steer it very much.

some people get it right away and some take longer.
depends on personality type. i've met people who had massive cojones who were willing to take risks and they learned very rapidly. others who aren't so brazen have a different learning curve.

a lot of it depends on how much track time you get.

[Brian]

Good stickers DO help.

[GSXRJJordan]

A lifetime!

I haven't had the same setup long enough to get what I would call "good", but I do alright. I've worked with a lot of different people (Pro-am to competitive FD drivers) and notice that it takes at least a year of solid tandem experience to compete well. I see tons of people that lay down good qualifying (solo) laps but can't tandem for shit.

This is why I'm such a huge proponent of Pro-Am! If you want to get out there and get good, you've got to go up against other people that are good! It'll also teach you a whole lot about how to build and maintain a car ~ reading forums you'd think everyone needs 400hp LSx's to be competitive, but you'll see some guys KILLING it in comps with simple 250hp SR or KA-T setups.

[franklin93zx]

After watching this I was unstoppable
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz17/2000Eleanor/tokyo.jpg

[udon!]

God danm rice burners and their skid racin'

[Zenki_Kouki.5]

Hahahaa! Practice and a fuck load of cash lol

[Nick_04K]

Just three short rainy days of parking lot drifting haha. :rolleyes:

Big joke there. 16 years old+ no local track..or any track for three hours of drive time= giving up on being "good at drifting" haha. At least for several years.

[XxCAPTAINxX]

just get as much driving time as possible and try talk to people who are good
(in person) for tips. alot of guys where im from helped me out get the techniques down.

P.S. watch tokyo drift and initial D over and over and you will pretty much be a pro.

[chiboy002]

Good stickers DO help.
specifically ones that cover large portions of your viewing glass
on a serious note, really just invest in a decent (safe) bucket seat [you dont need one to learn but it helps not have to worry about flopping like a rag doll] and a BUNCH of used tires (take em from dumpsters or buy them, idc)

get as much seat time as possible

[dynamicck]

YouTube - Mike Vogt Drifting - GoPro HD Hero - Englishtown - Nissan 240sx (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zf-KkEuPJE)

This was my first day. just steer with your feet ive progressed a ton in a season its really easy let the car drive its self and it makes everything really easy. The faster you go the easier it gets also.


Is Tim Humphrey's your friend? I've seen that self filmed mammoth video a buncha times. That dude is sick.

[OBEEWON]

Watching video of yourself helps a lot. Just like watching tape of basketball games before practice.

Also ride alongs.

[sincity_sil80]

After watching this I was unstoppable
http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/zz17/2000Eleanor/tokyo.jpg

i think this guy is on to something!! gonna go hone my skills right now

[fliprayzin240sx]

Took me about 10 events to get the real hang of it. Plus having a car that has balls helped me. People who were teaching me told me my car covers up alot of my mistake when I started learning.

[kalypso123]

Good stickers DO help.


lol

{msg}

[ManoNegra]

I've never tried it
but I know I'm awesome
'cause I read Zilvia every day.

[tricky_ab]

specifically ones that cover large portions of your viewing glass
on a serious note, really just invest in a decent (safe) bucket seat [you dont need one to learn but it helps not have to worry about flopping like a rag doll] and a BUNCH of used tires (take em from dumpsters or buy them, idc)

get as much seat time as possible

THIS! It comes down to practice, practice, PRACTICE! I know it's a old saying but it's thetruth. Oh and don't take an AI approach to it.

[ericcastro]

It took me about 36 minutes or so.

[Waylayer]

Practice drifting in exotic car lots. You will notice how fast you learn when something expensive is in the way.


Please don't do that. Everyone learns at a differant pace. Just remeber that even a simple mod like a swaybar or new tires will make you have to relearn your whole car.

[NismoTuner21]

I've been drifting since March '10 and I think I do pretty well. I started out in my POS FC until I finished my Z32. I really need a cage because it's holding me back from progressing since I can't do most big events or tandem. At the last big practice event at PBIR I did do a 90mph entry though, that was awesome.

[ZX88]

hooksliders.

[Brian]

oh yeah, as far as mods that will really help you learn, do these 3 things first.


2 way LSD. - it's amazing how smooth the car slides once you get one.

Bucket seat - I tried drifting a s13 with a stock seat one day. wow, what a hassle. a bucket seat will hold you in place and you wn't even move around and have that to worry about.

Coilovers - The car is going to be lower and stiffer. These will help you slide it real nice.

[fckillerbee]

setup is the major thing when learning....if your car isn't set up right...you are learning wrong. PERIOD.

Have someone go through your car...and set it up. Then go out and learn. I can't stress this enough.


And once you have a good setup.....filming yourself helps wonders. It'll tell you how late you are....and how much more input is needed.


I also learned in a 250whp FC with no knuckles.....took 2 days. Was also the first time I drove a RWD car...lol fml.

[ericcastro]

oh yeah, as far as mods that will really help you learn, do these 3 things first.


2 way LSD. - it's amazing how smooth the car slides once you get one.

Bucket seat - I tried drifting a s13 with a stock seat one day. wow, what a hassle. a bucket seat will hold you in place and you wn't even move around and have that to worry about.

Coilovers - The car is going to be lower and stiffer. These will help you slide it real nice.
BH is right.
I was making no money when i started.
So I did the cheap version of these things.

Welded diff (also had/have sohc, so it helps with the low HP imo)

I still have a 4 point hooked up to my stock seat. I dont move much in it. Knock off seat would be better though

I had a used set of shocks and springs i ran for 3 years. cost me like $300.




As far as set up.........???
I just run regular street alignment.
IMO, people will go way over the top with all the technical shit.
Just drive the fuckin car.
Do as BH says.
He is spot on.

[Brian]

I think all the alignment stuff is overrated. I only had my s14 aligned ONE time during my ownership (and that was when it was still black). Beyond that I just visually looked at the wheels and if they seemed to look ok, then all I worried about was driving.

[OBEEWON]

The best event I've done I had 4 different ride heights on each coil, one blown strut and all the wheels looked to be pointing in different directions. That stuff just makes you concentrate harder.

Oh yeah, the lower your car the better you drive. Subframe to ground contact reduces body roll.

[BoostSlideWayz]

Ive been wanting to drive for a year or two now and ive been trying to build my car for drift and i stll have no experience really lol.

[landins13]

i drifted out of the womb in a 86 corrolla but beyond that having a friend with a very large commercial lot to play around on helps a lot.

you know how you get to carnegie hall?........Practice.

[ManoNegra]

Oh yeah, the lower your car the better you drive. Subframe to ground contact reduces body roll.

haha, sig worthy

[Prez]

reduces forward movement too...

Define... Good?.... i personally dont give a fuck so when i got my car went straight to a parking garage and slid it open diff... i did pretty well... i think a good mechanical knowledge of what the car is actually doing helps alot. not like i can feel thru my steering wheel my car is at -2* camber... i'm saying what the car has to do in order to initiate a slide and maintain the slide... :2c:


Good luck to you try not to kill anyone else... drive solo... and away from others...

[20 til 3]

go steal cones

set up little chicanes and whatnot in big parking lots at 3am

go pro easy as that

[pinkarrowsnow]

Is Tim Humphrey's your friend? I've seen that self filmed mammoth video a buncha times. That dude is sick.


Yeah tim's my friend the vid was filmed with the same camera as the mammoth one haha.

[chris_240sx]

The best event I've done I had 4 different ride heights on each coil, one blown strut and all the wheels looked to be pointing in different directions. That stuff just makes you concentrate harder.

Oh yeah, the lower your car the better you drive. Subframe to ground contact reduces body roll.

Lol thanks for the sig


I wish there were more events around me and more often as well. I've only been to one so far and I feel like I needed way more time to progress any substantial amount.

[Perfect Balance]

When I was first looking for a car about 4 years or so, I was dead set on a rwd car and drifting. I played LOTS of Gran Turismo, watched a LOT of drifting, a LOT of racing and videos on car control in general, to the point that I already understood how a lot of it worked.

Then I got a Civic as my first car. In that car I learned a lot about weight transfer and how to make a car turn in better.

Finally when I ended up getting my 240 about 2 years ago, I had racked up a pretty decent understanding of how driving works, and from there on it was all pretty easy. I would go out and do different stuff, and it all pretty much just confirmed the ideas and understanding I already had in my mind.

Now I just need a bit more confidence. Theres a lot of stuff I KNOW I am capable of doing, but I hold back a lot because IF I somehow screw up and things go bad, I absolutely cannot wreck my car, as it's currently my only form of transportation.

Also, one thing to remember is to always blame the car last for problems with driving. I always see people saying stuff like "My front tires suck and made me understeer into a curb" instead of "My front tires suck and I didn't keep this in mind and went too fast, thus losing grip and understeering into a curb." It was your fault, not the car's.

Or at drift events, "This sidewall is too tall, it won't let me drift" or "this rear end won't let me transition" or "my car doesn't have enough power" and then you see people on bone stock cars with stock motors killing it all day. It's not the car, it's you.

[TheRealSy90]

These are from my very first drift event. I had about 3 nights of drifting experience before this. I really think it just depends on the person driving the car and how confident they are in their ability.

Champagne coupe with red bumper and caution fender.

SIA2qs5imhk
0FsQB7qYr5U

[nismobenzo]

the more you try each technique-the more youll know what works best for you and when it works to use each..seat time and setup make a big difference

[slowvia]

I hold back a lot because IF I somehow screw up and things go bad, I absolutely cannot wreck my car, as it's currently my only form of transportation.



This is what keeps me in check. I havent really messed around with my car much because I dont have the funds to slide my only car into a wall. I'd like to buy a dirt cheap s13 to try and learn without worrying how Ill get to work the next day if things go wrong.

[Perfect Balance]

This is what keeps me in check. I havent really messed around with my car much because I dont have the funds to slide my only car into a wall. I'd like to buy a dirt cheap s13 to try and learn without worrying how Ill get to work the next day if things go wrong.

Yeah, generally anything involving rolling into a corner at medium speed and clutch kicking, I can handle pretty easy, since if all else fails I can still simply grip the corner.

What I'd really like to do is simply enter a corner so fast that braking alone is enough to unload the rear end and slide through the corner with sheer speed, instead of relying on power. The high angle smoky drift is cool to watch I guess, but if you see the older D1GP videos, where half the track they're off throttle and the car is just sliding because it's going so fast, it's so much cooler and requires more precision imo.

I just can't take the risk myself, because there's no going back after going balls out into a corner.

[Brian]

my drift car was my daily car for a few years. it'll be ok.

[ericcastro]

Yeah, generally anything involving rolling into a corner at medium speed and clutch kicking, I can handle pretty easy, since if all else fails I can still simply grip the corner.

What I'd really like to do is simply enter a corner so fast that braking alone is enough to unload the rear end and slide through the corner with sheer speed, instead of relying on power. The high angle smoky drift is cool to watch I guess, but if you see the older D1GP videos, where half the track they're off throttle and the car is just sliding because it's going so fast, it's so much cooler and requires more precision imo.

I just can't take the risk myself, because there's no going back after going balls out into a corner.

D1 style drifting and FD style drifting are two completely different things.
In Japan, the track layout is way different, and they run much higher PSI.
They also have been into crazy steep angle and missle car tandem for a long time.
Most of the cool entries are just big straights you have to slide.

Formula D is long and mellow nascar corners, so you need to stay on throttle to maintain drift.

Its also track depending.

You cant just lift and slide around a corner because you are going fast.
You need to be pumping the ebrake, throttling while front braking, and all kinds of stuff.

You should see the ASBX entries.
Think some of the guys were in triple digits.
pLlX6GK05bc

[Brian]

God... Flybert KILLED it there.

[Tiny_T]

took me 8 minutes, then I realized it was lame and walked away.

[STEEZxIT]

practice makes perfect....

i started off with a stock AE86 4Age and did OK..but when i jumped on a more powerful SR with suspension mods... shit jst got better...

then it got expensive.. so i gave up and jsst drive a 240 for a daily.

[chiboy002]

my drift car was my daily car for a few years. it'll be ok.
this. Drifting doesnt require a 6-figure income, parts break and shit happens but that's why you keep stock/spare parts in a box and take them to the track
I think all the alignment stuff is overrated. I only had my s14 aligned ONE time during my ownership (and that was when it was still black). Beyond that I just visually looked at the wheels and if they seemed to look ok, then all I worried about was driving.
I think a decent alignment would be good only because you dont want some janky ass toe and caster that you get used to then you get an alignment and your set up is gone and now you dont know how the car responds

D1 style drifting and FD style drifting are two completely different things.

D1 drifting is fun to watch
Formula D drifting is fucking boring since they rarely get on each other

"oooohhh foust is applying the pressure blah blah, theyre getting really close" but theyre like 2 feet away from each other

[Thug Life]

I'm enjoying seeing vids of peoples first events. It's kinda cool, would like to see more.

[yingiang]

i never thought about my car breaking...hmmmm

[Prez]

your making the car do something it wasn't design to do... so until you design it to do that it WILL break... just keep your head up, and remember its just nuts and bolts and alittle time everything is fixable...

[nismobenzo]

gotta be some sic exits on that corner! haha

[Perfect Balance]

D1 style drifting and FD style drifting are two completely different things.I was never talking about FD, I was talking about D1 before and D1 now.

In Japan, the track layout is way different, and they run much higher PSI.
They also have been into crazy steep angle and missle car tandem for a long time.
Most of the cool entries are just big straights you have to slide.

Formula D is long and mellow nascar corners, so you need to stay on throttle to maintain drift. I realize the tracks are different, I'm just saying I prefer lower angle, faster drifts to high angle, slower drifts. Not slow, just slower than it would be as a lower angle.



You cant just lift and slide around a corner because you are going fast.
You need to be pumping the ebrake, throttling while front braking, and all kinds of stuff.

Tell that to this guy:

St7OpDeZW08

There isn't a single clutch kick, e-brake, throttling while braking, ect in that video. I realize he's better than a typical driver, but that, at least to me, is the epitome of drifting. IMO everyone should strive for THAT, not 90 degree+ entries.

Another one of Koguchi back in the day:

UsYtDfLtvrA

You can tell from the sound inside the car that he's barely on the throttle pretty much the entire way around, simply because the car is carrying enough speed to slide through the corner without it.

[mikerbike]

I think Tsuchiya's style is very 'minimalist'. Just enough angle so that it can be considered 'drifting'. While I'm sure it involves more skill than going for early/big angle entries, it's not as exciting to watch for me.

Amazing car control, but lacks style.

[ericcastro]

I was never talking about FD, I was talking about D1 before and D1 now.

I realize the tracks are different, I'm just saying I prefer lower angle, faster drifts to high angle, slower drifts. Not slow, just slower than it would be as a lower angle.




Tell that to this guy:

St7OpDeZW08

There isn't a single clutch kick, e-brake, throttling while braking, ect in that video. I realize he's better than a typical driver, but that, at least to me, is the epitome of drifting. IMO everyone should strive for THAT, not 90 degree+ entries.

Another one of Koguchi back in the day:

UsYtDfLtvrA

You can tell from the sound inside the car that he's barely on the throttle pretty much the entire way around, simply because the car is carrying enough speed to slide through the corner without it.

Your original description above sounded like you mean they lifted for the whole corner.
This is a typical fient entry.
No biggie, and hes on the throttle as soon as the car sets.

You can do this all day long at balcony on the J turn going 20mph, lol.
You just need to get the tire heat up,a nd if you run over 50psi like a lot of the Japanese drift guys, its almost hard not too, lol.

Its basically a braking initiation, when you lift in a low gear, the high RPM's bog down the engine and gearing, throwing your momentum forwards and leaving little weight on the rear.
Turn in at that moment, and the car will slide.
Same way FF get out of control.

[Thug Life]

that.
lnght

[Tearlessj]

About 30 minutes. Seriously though, playing video games helped me A LOT. I'm not even kidding, hours of driving simulator and watching videos helped me a ton.

[Krimlin]

Take the time and just think about what your car is doing, thats where alot of new people fail, they don't understand why their car spun out, or why they're understeering. So understanding the physics of the car will help you to understand that needs to be done. Sure camber looks cool but what is it actually doing to improve the way your car slides? Why won't my car slide good when I punch the gas and turn the wheel?

There's alot to look at and digest, if you feel like understand what's actually going on with the car.

It's been said before, seat time, seat time, seat time, and some more seat time!


For me physicis has always been a strong point, so once I rode with and watched car drifting, it hit me. I got a 240 and did shitty my first event, I got coilovers and it did wonders, stock KA VLSD and coils, whole day 2-3 spin outs good angle and control and was consistant.

Good luck man and be safe!

[1quk240]

YouTube - Mike Vogt Drifting - GoPro HD Hero - Englishtown - Nissan 240sx (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zf-KkEuPJE)

This was my first day. just steer with your feet ive progressed a ton in a season its really easy let the car drive its self and it makes everything really easy. The faster you go the easier it gets also.

LOVE your track layout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chiboy002]

There isn't a single clutch kick, e-brake, throttling while braking, ect in that video. I realize he's better than a typical driver, but that, at least to me, is the epitome of drifting. IMO everyone should strive for THAT, not 90 degree+ entries.
some track designs wont really let you blast through a corner fast enough that you can just let momentum carry you... corners are too sharp and you'll fly off into the grass/dirt

[pinkarrowsnow]

LOVE your track layout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The main big course we drive on is 50000000000 times better the back one is tiny.

[Perfect Balance]

some track designs wont really let you blast through a corner fast enough that you can just let momentum carry you... corners are too sharp and you'll fly off into the grass/dirt

So you just go slower...

My point is just that they aren't relying on power and doing more or less a controlled burnout through the corner like I see a lot of people of people at events doing these days, nowhere near as fast as they could actually take the corner while still drifting.

Either way that's a discussion for another thread.

[Brian]

If there is a sharp corner, you should be drifting well before it. Flying down that straight. choo choooooo chooooo that's all e brake, ya know... shrammmm

[SuicidnS13]

Driving is like any other sports. Some are naturally talented and learn fast, others take alot more training and practise to become competitive.

[nurvcom]

i still learning i just got down how to clutch kick kinda i dont get very much track time..

[Z_Spool]

Took me about a day, but now I'm pretty consistent.

Now if only I could figure out a way to make one of these work for my real car.
http://www.thebbps.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/ds3.jpg

[Okinawandrifter87]

By getting alot of seat time :)

[Flybert]

So you just go slower...

My point is just that they aren't relying on power and doing more or less a controlled burnout through the corner like I see a lot of people of people at events doing these days, nowhere near as fast as they could actually take the corner while still drifting.

Either way that's a discussion for another thread.

Sorry Perfect Balance but there is only one turn in that video where he does what the announcer says to initiate drift that you seem to like and it's in the downhill 4th gear section I've highlighted below. I've driven that course a million times and I can tell you for certain that he is not using that braking drift technique for any of the tighter corners. Most of the time, he is just transitioning from drift to drift and using the front brakes to slow down a little so he doesn't fly off the course. He's also hitting rev limiter a little too much in the video to support your opinions on his style of "less throttle" driving. Take a look at this course map that I modified. This is how I drive that course going clockwise. KT is driving it counter clockwise and it's pretty much the same in terms of the gears he should be in. He actually leaves it in 2nd more than I do.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d56/pandapandared/HTM.jpg

As for the OP, just listen to Brian and get yourself a seat, diff, coilovers, subframe spacers, and tension rods and get yourself some seat time. Everyone progresses at their own pace but certain people progress faster due to natural inherent talent and better car setups. I remember I sucked ass at my first event. I only had coilovers and couldn't do anything that I wanted. I invested in a tomei 2 way, some bride brixes, SPL tension rods and RUCAs for my second event and I was drifting buttonwillow with ease. I was having a tough time with transitions but I could kick out the rear on every turn with confidence. From there I progressed and improved on my transitions throughout the next year. And don't upgrade your power levels until you get consistent with what you have.

['97 S14 SE Turbo]

What I'd really like to do is simply enter a corner so fast that braking alone is enough to unload the rear end and slide through the corner with sheer speed, instead of relying on power. The high angle smoky drift is cool to watch I guess, but if you see the older D1GP videos, where half the track they're off throttle and the car is just sliding because it's going so fast, it's so much cooler and requires more precision imo.

That's actually the easiest drift to learn, but you have to start from grip driving, and build up skills. Once you get comfortable, you learn to use ~100% of your tires' grip in corners. When you get there, just exceed it, and the high speed, low angles 4 wheel drifts will come.

Here in Phoenix, at PIR, Turn 1-3 is a high speed dive from the Nascar oval, right into the infield, where speeds are 100mph easily. Driving that course grip style, you will automatically end up at the limits. Those here in Phx that drift PIR regulary, take advantage of that. Only 1 or 2 folks have the balls to initiate at that speeds though, but most of the time, most folks are in 3rd or 4th gear right at the start.

[Perfect Balance]

Sorry Perfect Balance but there is only one turn in that video where he does what the announcer says to initiate drift that you seem to like and it's in the downhill 4th gear section I've highlighted below. I've driven that course a million times and I can tell you for certain that he is not using that braking drift technique for any of the tighter corners. Most of the time, he is just transitioning from drift to drift and using the front brakes to slow down a little so he doesn't fly off the course. He's also hitting rev limiter a little too much in the video to support your opinions on his style of "less throttle" driving. Take a look at this course map that I modified. This is how I drive that course going clockwise. KT is driving it counter clockwise and it's pretty much the same in terms of the gears he should be in. He actually leaves it in 2nd more than I do.
My second video I posted was a more accurate representation of what I was trying to say, the first video was more or less a reply to whoever said drifting was about handbraking and clutch kicking, throttling while braking, ect. I'm not against any of these, just imo, being able to keep a car moving fast enough that you don't need to do things to forcefully upset the balance of the car ( I realize that he is still using a feint and the brakes, but weight transfer is much less drastic than locking up the rear tires or clutch kicking) but still drift the entire course, takes more skill in my eyes.

That's actually the easiest drift to learn, but you have to start from grip driving, and build up skills. Once you get comfortable, you learn to use ~100% of your tires' grip in corners. When you get there, just exceed it, and the high speed, low angles 4 wheel drifts will come.
Yeah I realize that, but how many of the drifters you typically see at events actually know to grip drive well?

There's very few people in amateur spec race series that can grip drive well, much less drifters.

[Irresistible]

i still learning i just got down how to clutch kick kinda i dont get very much track time..

Street time also helps A LOT. I haven't gone to the track a single time yet, I've only been driving on the street and I'm pretty decent for only a year of drifting around a little bit. Hopefully I'll be going to track days next year.

[ericcastro]

Street time also helps A LOT.

No it doesnt.
I haven't gone to the track a single time yet
You said yourself, you have never been to the track, so how would you be able to give advice and compare the two?

GO TO THE TRACK !!!
You will progress 10 fold there.
Ask anyone that can actually drift decently, There are a couple of us in this thread trying to help (surprisingly.)

People that have been drifting under a year, should not be giving advice in this thread.
People who have never been to the track shouldnt be giving advice in this thread.
People who cant Tandem regularly shouldnt be giving advice in this thread.

imo :)

[Brian]

Street drifting and track drifting are different.

to say that one doesn't help, just doesn't make sense.

Both styles are going to help, but street drifting will help street drifting more.
track drifting will help track drifting more.... in my opinion.

[ericcastro]

But it will take you A LOT longer to learn drifting when you are trying on the street.
Thats what I mean.
they are different, and any seat time will help a little.
But the speed you get good on the street compared to track is night and day.

People waste a lot of time thinking they are getting ahead cause they are pulling the ebrake on some little corner somewhere.
Just get $100 bucks, some used tires and do an event.

You will be so much further ahead after a year of track drifting, then puttzin around on the street trying to learn.


And after you learn, THEN you can hit the streets, and actually be drifting in control if thats what your into....

[Brian]

I know what you're saying.

However, I think "drifting" is very subjective. Some people might never put their car on a track, but rip on the street or the mountains. Some might always stay on the track and can link every corner.

Drifting in 2nd gear might be all that some guy wants to do. Another guy might think that anything lower than 4th gear is just garbage. It's all subjective.

[Slammed Assassin]

ive done 5 events.. still need alot of practice!!

i cant seem to link turns.

[deolio]

it took me one even to "get it". just experiment with the differences between using weight transfer, clutch kick, and e-brake.

also, seat time and dialing in your setup is key. or at least getting used to a car.

i'm embarrassed to say it, but i've been "drifting" for over 5 years and i still suck. in my defense, i only went to 2 events a year till this year. and every time i've been to an event my setup has been completely different. the biggest issue for me is figuring out how the car is going to react to my input and making the car predictable. making the car rigid and getting consistent power to the ground helps that.

['97 S14 SE Turbo]

Yeah I realize that, but how many of the drifters you typically see at events actually know to grip drive well?

There's very few people in amateur spec race series that can grip drive well, much less drifters.

It's a good thing for those of us in Arizona, that there is such a track as PIR. Here's an old picture of me, middle of turn 2, after going from 3rd gear to 2nd gear. Absolutely not much power needed, just keep the momentum.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/tyyap/car%20stuff/5234.jpg

[Kwonza Says]

Took a while (5 years) did a little bit of everything but nothing compares to track time. Different setting plus wearing a helmet is different than out of the track. Just get the essentials listed by everyone here coils, dif, etc. Yes I still drive my daily to the track and always fear of something breaking so I bring extra stuff. Who cares I always try to get closer and progress. Alot of crashes and things breaking. You WILL crash sometime so expect the worst. I always wondered how you would move up to tandems with people at the track. I want to move on to tandem but always worried about the other persons car.

[bc.]

This thread sucks, what help could you possibly get from everyone telling you they learned to drift perfect after two runs, with an open diff, on donut spares with zombies attached to both of their arms?

[chiboy002]

So you just go slower...
no shit, just saying blasting through corners isn't always an option
Street drifting and track drifting are different.

to say that one doesn't help, just doesn't make sense.

Both styles are going to help, but street drifting will help street drifting more.
track drifting will help track drifting more.... in my opinion.
I'd say street drifting helps with street drifting, like castro said
but touge would help more with track only because you have to be much more intentional with your control. You can't just whip it and slide out super wide or super shallow and scrape shit, you'll hit the mountain or fly into the guard rail

Still... I need to get to the track, i fucking hate the price though. Just being honest

[ericcastro]

You can learn quickly on the track with no worries of destroying a car or death, or hurting or killing other people.
You can practice repeatedly how to come within a foot of clipping points and put the car where you want it to go.
You can take a car to its limits, and learn those limits.

Street did little for me.
But maybe your Takumi.

:)
I wish I could do 4th gear, lol.
one day.
And when i get that engine, you can be sure Im gonna learn to control it and find its limits on the track.

[jesse_s13]

that was dope =)
YouTube - Mike Vogt Drifting - GoPro HD Hero - Englishtown - Nissan 240sx (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zf-KkEuPJE)

This was my first day. just steer with your feet ive progressed a ton in a season its really easy let the car drive its self and it makes everything really easy. The faster you go the easier it gets also.

[pinkarrowsnow]

that was dope =)

Thanks

People the whole key ive realized throughout the whole year id be sucking and then i just realized the faster you go the easier it makes everything you stop fighting the car and trying to put it where you want it, and suddenly it just starts going there. I mean that vid was my first day ever but by the end of this year i was doing 100mph entrys. Dont get discouraged and push yourself and remember you always suck and someones always better.:hs:

[h2v7]

you can always get better.


no matter how much seat time or practice you have you can always get better

[Irresistible]

People that have been drifting under a year, should not be giving advice in this thread.
People who have never been to the track shouldnt be giving advice in this thread.
People who cant Tandem regularly shouldnt be giving advice in this thread.

imo :)

Fair enough. Lol. :fruit:

[sr20d's2k]

YouTube - Mike Vogt Drifting - GoPro HD Hero - Englishtown - Nissan 240sx (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zf-KkEuPJE)

This was my first day. just steer with your feet ive progressed a ton in a season its really easy let the car drive its self and it makes everything really easy. The faster you go the easier it gets also.


omg mike youre so awesome

[eytsics]

practice, practice, practice!!!...on the track that is...