So whats the big deal with drifting?

[ledzep]

Im new to the 240sx world, but I swear every other post I read is talking about drifting.  Ive never seen a car forum talk about it so much.  Is this car just that great to drift with?  Kinda stupid to me to drift unless its on the track.  Not trying to piss anyone off, just wondering what all the hype is about.

[S13RedTop]

Im a newb too but I think a 240sx is a great drifting car by looking at other forums

[Silvia]

Hi.  My name is christine, when i race with my s14 on the downhill,  usually drifting makes my course time much shorter than grip driving...  that question about drifting is like asking whats the big deal with drag racing. but i feel the drifting is definitely a skill, and takes time to perfect.  Unlike drag racing where you just go in a straight line.  no offense to drag racers.  everyone has their own view about drifting.

[Tuck&Poke]

i personally dont see all the greatness in drifting. it doesnt prove anything to me. there are people that like it and if that tickles your pickle then go for it its your thing but its not mine. i could live without it and not miss it. its like jdm...whats the point?
er...christie...grip driving is faster than drifting.

[bbp]

I agree with mini.  Drifting is not the fast way around a turn, you are actuelly scrubbing off speed as you "drift" sideways.  Christine, I am not familair with the down hill racing you are doing, but if you learn the basics of entry, apex, exit of a turn, I bet you will be faster than sliding through it.

Although I am a road racer and try to limit my "drifting" to more of a rotation, it is kinda fun to slide through a corner, but it's not the fast way around a track.  

I think the scary part is some of you guys who are doing it on the street.  Not a good idea.  All it takes is one mistake to blast into something and someone can get hurt (other than you).  Take it to a track, a controlled enviroment, where the neccesary safety equipment is available and there isn't anyone else around to get collected up in your mistakes.

[Tuck&Poke]

nice job newb...i agree track is deff safer...but i still street race. &nbsp;i dont know why just fun. &nbsp;maybe even more fun that track &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>

[sil80]

First most people that drive 240s that drift do it for fun. Second most will push to make sure you understand its not something that should be done in the local neigborhood. So if you decide to test your drifting skill make sure your safe about it.
Second, if you really want to see a 240 drift you should purchase option video 34. You can get it on ebay.

[bbp]

Sil80, &nbsp;I am truly not interested in seeing 240 slide around corners, that wasn't my point. &nbsp;I know how to slide a car around, or "drift". Great. &nbsp;I was merely saying it shouldn't be done on open roads, thats all. &nbsp;

Next time you blast a curb or get a ticket for fucking around on the street, think of me. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'> &nbsp;

BTW. &nbsp;you have two seconds, I get the third one but I don't get the second one <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'>

[rubbersidedown]

I really think drifting is a usefull technique for getting around corners. It also depends on the car as well but i think the main reason more people don't do it in racing because its absolute hell on your tires, suspension and whatnot. I think it kind of depends on the circumstances.

[boywonder]

who i just realized my x-girlfriend's name is sylvia. Man i love college chicks <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

[meowthsdaddy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (rubbersidedown @ April 14 2002,01:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I really think drifting is a usefull technique for getting around corners. It also depends on the car as well but i think the main reason more people don't do it in racing because its absolute hell on your tires, suspension and whatnot. I think it kind of depends on the circumstances.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
drifting is fastest only around someting like a really sharp corner, in any other situation it is NOT faster and is not that useful, its just for show.

[240meowth]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (boywonder @ April 14 2002,12:26)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">who i just realized my x-girlfriend's name is sylvia. Man i love college chicks <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
good stuff man, my ex girlfriend's name is honda civic, she was a peice of shit

anyways, drifiting is for fun, and since civics/accords can't do it, we drift to rub it in their face, excellent &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':cool:'>

[Gankaz]

hehehe i think driftin is just really really fun

that feeling of loosing traction n slindin through the road.....its like......ice skating....or something....cept on 4 wheels..........mmm................ <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/inlove.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':love:'> ..............

[drifterX87]

When Noobs attack! &nbsp;J/k. &nbsp;Drifting is meant to show how much control you have over your car and its power. &nbsp;Drifting isnt done drastically in touring events because they would need to change their tires every couple of laps. &nbsp;People in touring also dont drift because it slows you down. &nbsp;Would you rather push your car sideways? &nbsp;Or would you rather do it normally? &nbsp;If drifting were faster, people in F1 would be doing it already.

Mike

[nrcooled]

If you honsestly want to drift go to an empty parking lot and have tons of fun...avoid lots with light posts. &nbsp;Drifting is fun don't get me wrong but I spent way,way to much money on my tires to just tear up rubber 'cause its amusing to me.

Uh oh...I'm getting old! &nbsp;Someone help me! Please? <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/nervous.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':nervous:'>

[KoukiS14]

I drift on the street. . I drift in the fucking SCHOOL zone with kids around, how do you all like that? &nbsp;=)
Tired of people pretending to be mature haha. . shit. . You know you all like it =) &nbsp;

Anyway, if you can comfortably drift your car on the street, you should be ready for just about any kind of situation. . knowing how to recover has put me at ease, and saved my ass many many times. &nbsp;Just don't do it when ANYONE is around. &nbsp;I usually won't even do it if I see so much as a headlight in the distance.

-Rob

[mrfly]

Why is drifting fun? Hmmmm. Why are donuts fun? It's all the same when it comes down to it. Controlling your car under certain extreme situations.

[DrDubbleB]

I find it comical that people actually thought that "Christine" (Silvia) was being serious...

[fungus]

it's fun.

[Tuck&Poke]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DrDubbleB @ April 13 2002,2:55)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I find it comical that people actually thought that "Christine" (Silvia) was being serious...</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
er....its not like it was in joke format...looked like a comment to me <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'> ... but after looking at it a couple of times i got it...ive been fooled <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[whateverjames]

i don't understand drifting on a street, especially people who just got their car. but drifting at the kart track yesterday at the meet in Kansas City was fun. light kart, light human, bad weight distribution, most of the weight was in the back (the engine and myself), short wheelbase, cold slick tires (first few laps, on slick concrete and long wide turns made a fun experience. took a chunk out of my wallet though, but the vibration of the steering wheel, the 2 cycle exhaust, and the thrill of doing drifts at 35 mph when you're 2 inches off the ground gives you a 10 minutes buzz afterwords.

[Tuck&Poke]

haha anything w/ go karts is a blast!

[matic 240sx]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Silvia @ April 12 2002,10:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hi. My name is christine, when i race with my s14 on the downhill, usually drifting makes my course time much shorter than grip driving... that question about drifting is like asking whats the big deal with drag racing. but i feel the drifting is definitely a skill, and takes time to perfect. Unlike drag racing where you just go in a straight line. no offense to drag racers. everyone has their own view about drifting.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
::thinks to self, girl drifting and racing?? &nbsp;a 240??::: &nbsp;will u marry me?

[adey]

DRB I couldn't figure out if silvia was serious or not! Though my first reaction was that she (he??!<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> was. &nbsp;<grin>
I'm surprised one can still get a handle like "silvia" with all the users now!

Bah-- drifting? Shits 'n' giggles and nothing else!

[Broadwayblues]

Drifting has some merit to it as a race technique! It's not just all show. I've been watching the World Rally championships on TV. These guys drift on 90% of the turns. Even on 'tarmac' they would drift. These cars must generate tons of downforce and I would think that they would drift only if it was the fastest way through that corner. I understand the enrty, apex and all that on turns. All I am saying is that it is used by pros so there must be something that we are missing or not understanding. That's just my two cents worth. BTW, I wish I could drift my s13, but my bone stock coupe would get mad a me! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'>

[AceInHole]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (matic 240sx @ April 14 2002,06:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Silvia @ April 12 2002,10:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hi. My name is christine, when i race with my s14 on the downhill, usually drifting makes my course time much shorter than grip driving... that question about drifting is like asking whats the big deal with drag racing. but i feel the drifting is definitely a skill, and takes time to perfect. Unlike drag racing where you just go in a straight line. no offense to drag racers. everyone has their own view about drifting.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
::thinks to self, girl drifting and racing?? a 240??::: will u marry me?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
:::thinks to self:::: it's probably DSC wishing he was S13Grl again??

[AceInHole]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (drifterX87 @ April 13 2002,08:01)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">When Noobs attack! J/k. Drifting is meant to show how much control you have over your car and its power. Drifting isnt done drastically in touring events because they would need to change their tires every couple of laps. People in touring also dont drift because it slows you down. Would you rather push your car sideways? Or would you rather do it normally? If drifting were faster, people in F1 would be doing it already.

Mike</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
In theory there are plenty of situations where drifting can be faster than a grip line. &nbsp;"Drifting" however, is never faster (I still fail to see why humping a curb is so exciting anyways).
The reasons that drifting can be faster have been posted already. &nbsp;If you want to know, it has to do with conservation of energy and work theorems, combined with vector acceleration. &nbsp;All that crap was posted, so use the search (if/ when it works).
Basically, drifting is meant to accelerate the car through the turn (vector-wise). &nbsp;"Drifting" is meant to see how much damage you can get away with before your car is no longer driveable before the curb breaks.

Track cars drift more than you think, even in F1.

[ledzep]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AceInHole @ April 15 2002,09:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteBegin--drifterX87+April 13 2002,08<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (drifterX87 @ April 13 2002,08<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>1)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">When Noobs attack! J/k. Drifting is meant to show how much control you have over your car and its power. Drifting isnt done drastically in touring events because they would need to change their tires every couple of laps. People in touring also dont drift because it slows you down. Would you rather push your car sideways? Or would you rather do it normally? If drifting were faster, people in F1 would be doing it already.

Mike</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
In theory there are plenty of situations where drifting can be faster than a grip line. "Drifting" however, is never faster (I still fail to see why humping a curb is so exciting anyways).
The reasons that drifting can be faster have been posted already. If you want to know, it has to do with conservation of energy and work theorems, combined with vector acceleration. All that crap was posted, so use the search (if/ when it works).
Basically, drifting is meant to accelerate the car through the turn (vector-wise). "Drifting" is meant to see how much damage you can get away with before your car is no longer driveable before the curb breaks.

Track cars drift more than you think, even in F1.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I absolutely agree with that. &nbsp;I dont understand why sliding around turns is impressive, the fact I can take turns fast and actually keep traction is impressive to me. &nbsp;Seems like a recipe for breaking your car, or hitting someone elses, not to mention how terrible it is on tires and suspension. &nbsp;Perhaps I think a little more negatively about it since I have a friend who tried to "drift" around a turn and hit a phone poll and flipped 3 times. &nbsp;Its bound to happen, traction is a beautiful thing.

[tnord]

yes ace, you're right, race cars do "drift" more than people realize. but it is never the tail out shinanigans that you see on videos downloaded from morpheus and kazaa. functional drifting is used to get the car pointed where you want it to go, then restoring grip to the rear to actually start traveling in the desired direction. and yes, in general, it is more exclusively used in tighter, lower speed corners.

[AceInHole]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (tnord @ April 14 2002,11:11)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">yes ace, you're right, race cars do "drift" more than people realize. but it is never the tail out shinanigans that you see on videos downloaded from morpheus and kazaa. functional drifting is used to get the car pointed where you want it to go, then restoring grip to the rear to actually start traveling in the desired direction. and yes, in general, it is more exclusively used in tighter, lower speed corners.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
lol.... i differentiate between drift and "drift" (curb humping). &nbsp;you know that already <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[tnord]

yes, i do, but others don't

[AceInHole]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (tnord @ April 14 2002,11:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">yes, i do, but others don't</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
well, race cars drift... they don't "drift"... so if you use my terminology, at least use it correctly... at least before another race car humps a curb.

[HippoSleek]

I always prefer "tail-out jackassery" when referring to the Silvia drift kings we see around here <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

And for Mr. I've Been Watching a Lot of Speedvision and Came Up With the Solution, do me three favors:
1) watch a rally race from 10 years ago (even a tarmac stage) and see how much MORE drifting they were doing then. Why are they now taking more of a racing line? Also, tell Shumacher he's got it all wrong... those WRC guys know what's fastest.
2) think about how much down force is generated in the biggest jackassery turns in WRC (these are hairpins that are the lowest speed sections of the stage).
3) drive down a 1.5 lane road that you don't really know as fast as possible! &nbsp;Keep in mind that there are no gators or clean up when debris is on the track. Think you could keep a racing line?

...and Ace, damn you for confusing the issue <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> You're gonna have nubes running around telling us that their hero told them... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/dozingoff.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':zzz:'>

[AceInHole]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> (Hippohump <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> @ sometime today) I always prefer "tail-out jackassery" when referring to the Silvia drift kings we see around here <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
same thing... "drifting", "tail-out jackassery", "curb-humping"....

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">And for Mr. I've Been Watching a Lot of Speedvision and Came Up With the Solution, do me three favors:
1) watch a rally race from 10 years ago (even a tarmac stage) and see how much MORE drifting they were doing then. Why are they now taking more of a racing line? </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
because the rally cars are now more powerful and it takes serious balls to actually go all out with them, which explains the large time gaps between cars.
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Also, tell Shumacher he's got it all wrong... those WRC guys know what's fastest.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I've seen Shumacher drift around corners... watch him go all out long enough and eventually he'll have a slip angle large enough to actually see.
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
2) think about how much down force is generated in the biggest jackassery turns in WRC (these are hairpins that are the lowest speed sections of the stage).</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> lol. &nbsp;exactly... situations where rotational momentum is the key to the turn.
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">3) drive down a 1.5 lane road that you don't really know as fast as possible! Keep in mind that there are no gators or clean up when debris is on the track. Think you could keep a racing line?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> been there, done that, shit my pants afterwards... have a long story associated with it involving an oncomming car and requiring a split second lane change with the car in an all out drift (induced by the corner, not forced) that ends up with me never attempting to go all out on even the most remote roads.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">...and Ace, damn you for confusing the issue <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> You're gonna have nubes running around telling us that their hero told them... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/dozingoff.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':zzz:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

fine.... just replace "drifting" with "curb humping" in all my posts. &nbsp;that should make things a bit clearer.

To clarify:
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">IF DRIFTING IS AN ART, "CURB HUMPING" IS GRAFFITI WITH CRAYONS</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

And let's all remember that the best drifters are outlaw sprinters, making drifting a USDM thing. &nbsp;Thank you, come again.