Drifting Techs

Assetto Corsa★ 5 · 412 ratings15k views760 favorites22 min readby konstantynopolitaneczkaUpdated 11 Apr, 2024View on Steam ↗

Introduction

Drifting is a thrilling and skillful driving technique that transforms the act of going around corners into an art form. Unlike traditional driving, where the goal is to maintain maximum traction, drifting intentionally involves losing traction to slide the car through turns in a controlled manner.

Imagine yourself gliding through a corner, tires delicately dancing on the edge of grip, and the car elegantly sliding sideways. Drifting is all about the perfect balance between control and chaos, where the driver maneuvers the car in a way that showcases skill, precision, and a deep understanding of vehicle dynamics.

This guide is your entry to the world of drifting, from the basics of initiating a drift to the advanced techniques used by professional drifters. Whether you're a beginner eager to learn the fundamentals or an enthusiast looking to refine your skills, let's delve into the exhilarating world of drifting and uncover the secrets behind this captivating driving style. Get ready to embark on a journey where the road becomes your canvas, and your car becomes a brush, painting breathtaking slides around every bend.

Which cars are best for drifting?

Theoretically, every single car is capable of drifting. However, cars that are equipped with rear-wheel drive are particularly good at this technique. A four-wheel drive can also make a good drift car.
Ideally, the car should have manual gears for the driver to exploit its full potential. The only way to do this is by having complete control of both gears and the clutch.

Professional drift cars usually rely on a special differential that distributes and balances the power between the front and rear axles. In addition, drivers have no driving aids such as ABS (anti-lock braking system) or TCS (traction control) in order to maintain full control of their cars at all times.

Which tyres are best for drifting?

Drifting requires more than just a few sets of tyres, as the technique quickly wears the rubber down. To get started with drifting, you can go for relatively cheap, run-in rear tyres and invest a bit more in the front tyres, as they are crucial for grip, traction and control in corners.
For the front tyres, professionals usually use ones with good grip or even slicks – tyres that have no profile. In addition, the tyre pressure has a big impact and greatly depends on the specific vehicle, as well as personal preferences.

Drift dictionary

Angle kit: A modification to the car’s suspension that allows for more steering angle, making it easier to initiate a drift.
Apex: The point on a track where the car is closest to the inside edge of a turn.
Countersteer Angle: The amount of steering input applied in the opposite direction of the drift to maintain control and balance the car's trajectory.
Caster Angle: The angle at which the steering axis tilts forward or backward.
Chase car: The car that follows the lead car during a tandem drift.
Chase View: A camera angle that follows behind the drifting car, showing the driver’s perspective.
Chassis Balance: The balance of weight distribution and suspension settings that affect the car’s handling during a drift.
Clipping Point: A point on the track used to drift around a corner.
Clipping Zone: A section of the track used to drift around a corner.
Drift Angle: The angle at which the car is drifting, relative to the turn.
Drift Circuit: A type of race track specifically designed for drifting competition.
Drift Compression: The suspension movement that occurs as a car enters a turn and begins drifting.
Drift Knuckles: Modified suspension parts that allow for greater steering angle and improved handling during drifting.
Drift limiter: A device that limits the maximum speed of the car while drifting to prevent excessive wheel spin or power.
Drift line: The path that a drifting car takes on the track, including the angle and trajectory of the car.
Drift Machine: A term to refer to a car that is built specifically for drifting and have been modified accordingly.
Drift missile : A type of drift car where the front and rear wheelbase are different, typically with the rear wheelbase being shorter than the front wheelbase.
Drift Setup: The specific modifications and adjustments made to a car to optimize it for drifting.
D1GP: Abbreviation for "Drift 1 Grand Prix," a professional drifting series that originated in Japan, known for its high level of competition and skill.
Drift Taxi: A car ride service where customers pay to ride shotgun in a drifting car driven by a professional driver
Drift Triangle: A technique where the driver links three turns together in a triangular pattern.
E-brake: An emergency brake, mostly used for drifting to lock the rear wheels for initiation.
Entry or initiation: The start of a turn or drift, the point at which the driver initiates the drift.
Feather throttle : Gradually easing off the throttle pedal
Feint: A steering input used to initiate a drift.
Gymkhana: A motorsport that combines elements of drift, precision driving, and obstacle course racing.
Lead car: The car in front of the chasing car during a tandem drift.
Line choice: The specific path that a driver chooses to take through a turn or course.
Line Control: The act of controlling the trajectory of the car during a drift.
Linking turns: Drifting through multiple turns without losing drift angle or speed.
Lockup: When brakes are applied and the wheels stop rotating.
Manji: A technique where the driver swerves in and out of two corners, linking them in a fluid motion.
Oversteer: A condition where the rear wheels lose traction, causing the rear of the car to slide out.
Proximity: The distance between a drifting car and the wall or other cars on the track.
Snap Oversteer: A sudden and dramatic loss of rear traction, causing the rear of the car to lose control.
Steering Angle: The angle of the front wheels of the car in relation to the centerline of the car
Style: The individualized way a driver executes a drift or a maneuver
Sway Bar (Anti-roll Bar): A suspension component that reduces body roll during cornering, helping to stabilize the car and maintain control during drifting maneuvers.
Stance: The overall aesthetic and stance of a drift car, often characterized by lowered suspension, aggressive wheel fitment, and modified bodywork.
Tandem drifting: A type of drifting where two cars drift alongside each other, following each other’s lines.
Toe-in: The angle at which the front wheels of a car point towards each other.
Toe-out: The angle at which the front wheels of a car point away from each other.
Transition: The movement from one drift angle to another.
Understeer: A condition where the front wheels lose traction, causing the front of the car to slide out
Wall tap/wall ride: A maneuver where the driver lightly grazes a wall with the back bumper, leaving a mark as a “badge of honor.” A wall ride is similar, but the car stays in contact with the wall for longer.
Weight jacking: A technique where the driver manipulates the weight distribution of the car to improve grip, commonly transferring weight to the rear of the car.
Welded diff: A modification to the car’s differential where the gears are welded together, causing the rear wheels to move at the same speed, which can help the car initiate a drift.
Wheel Hop: when the wheel loses contact with the ground and “hops” or skips on the surface, commonly caused by too much power or hard shifting.

Double Clutch Drift

Double clutch (also called double de-clutching) drifting is a technique that involves engaging and disengaging the clutch twice rapidly during a drift sequence. By manipulating the drivetrain and rear wheel speed, it allows for a smoother transition between drift phases. By engaging the clutch twice, drivers aim to fine-tune the balance of the car mid-drift, providing an additional layer of control.

Reverse Entry

Driver initiate a drift by entering a corner in reverse, quickly transitioning to forward motion while maintaining the drift. This technique required exceptional spatial awareness and car control, as the driver essentially executed a 180-degree turn while initiating a drift simultaneously.

Handbrake 360 Spin

It's a stylish tech where the driver executed a complete 360-degree spin using the handbrake. This maneuver was often performed in open spaces or during solo exhibitions. It requires precise handbrake modulation and throttle control to achieve a smooth and controlled spin.

Jump Drift

Jump drifting involves incorporating jumps or ramps into a drift sequence, with the driver intentionally launching the car into the air while maintaining control over its orientation. This technique added an aerial dimension to drifting, requiring drivers to factor in the car's trajectory and landing stability. Jump drifts are often performed in controlled environments with specially designed ramps.

Throttle Blipping

Throttle blipping is a technique employed during sustained drifts to manage engine power and prevent loss of momentum. By precisely modulating the throttle, the driver ensures a consistent balance between wheel speed and engine output, allowing for sustained slides. Throttle blipping demands a keen sense of throttle control, requiring the driver to synchronize inputs with changes in traction and varying surface conditions to sustain and control the drift effectively.

Brake Bias Adjustment

Brake bias adjustment is a technical drifting technique that involves altering the distribution of braking force between the front and rear axles. This is executed to influence weight transfer during initiation or mid-drift. By optimizing brake bias, the driver can fine-tune the distribution of traction, influencing the drift's stability and angle. Advanced practitioners adjust brake bias dynamically, responding to the evolving demands of the drift and maximizing control over the vehicle's behavior.

Weight Transfer Initiation

Weight transfer initiation is a drifting technique that leverages the car's weight distribution to induce oversteer. By rapidly shifting the vehicle's mass to the rear during entry, typically through a quick lift-off of the throttle, the rear tires lose traction, initiating the drift. This method requires precise timing and anticipatory control of weight distribution to achieve a controlled slide. Advanced practitioners modulate weight transfer through subtle throttle and brake inputs to finely tune the drift angle.

Choku-Dori (Swaying Drift)

It's a specific style of automotive drifting that has its roots in Japanese car culture. Drifting itself is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels or all tires, while maintaining control and driving the car through the entirety of a corner. Choku-Dori is characterized by a sudden, sharp initiation of the drift. The term "Choku" itself translates to "straight" or "direct," reflecting the quick and direct nature of the drift entry.

Scandinavian Flick

The Scandinavian flick, or pendulum turn, is a pre-drift maneuver used to initiate a slide before entering a corner. This technique involves a deliberate weight transfer in the opposite direction of the intended drift, creating lateral force that induces oversteer. The driver quickly counteracts this initial movement with aggressive counter-steering, initiating the drift. The Scandinavian flick demands precise timing and execution, relying on the driver's ability to read the road ahead and anticipate the ideal moment for weight transfer to initiate a controlled drift entry.

How to do Scandinavian flick:

1. Set yourself up for the corner slightly to the outside of center. You don't want to take the racing line here as you need to have room on the outside of the corner. Get all of your braking out of the way in a straight line and ease off the brakes when your cornering speed is reached.

Turn briefly towards the outside of the corner, using trail braking if necessary (feathering the brake into the corner) to reduce any understeer you might experience. You don't want to take a lot of time over this motion, just enough to create a weight transfer to the inside wheels.
Almost immediately turn in sharply in the correct direction of the corner. When done properly, the reverse in weight transfer to the outside wheels should unsettle the rear of the car enough to break traction.
The back of the car will start to come round - this tightens the radius of the turn and thus allows quite tight corners to be taken at speed. Counter steer if necessary to keep the car heading in the desired direction. Once you're past the apex of the corner, gradually reduce the amount of steering lock. Once you have completed the corner, apply progressive throttle to accelerate out of the corner.

Feint Drift

Feint Drift, also known as a feint or faint, involves a sudden and deliberate shift of the car's weight by feinting the steering in one direction and then swiftly steering in the opposite direction. The goal is to deceive the car's weight distribution and provoke oversteer, initiating a drift.

Trail Braking

Trail braking is a drifting technique that involves maintaining partial braking into a corner while simultaneously initiating the drift. By extending braking deep into the corner and gradually releasing it, the driver shifts weight to the front, inducing oversteer. Effective trail braking requires finesse from the rider, which can be difficult to learn. This is one of the most used drifting techniques in rally racing because - if done properly - it allows the driver to enter and exit the corner with full throttle.

Crank Slide

The crank slide was a technique where the driver abruptly counter-steered while simultaneously applying throttle, inducing a rapid and aggressive initiation of the drift. This maneuver required a quick and decisive steering input, catching the car on the edge of grip to initiate a dynamic and often high-angle slide. The crank slide was a visually striking technique, showcasing the driver's ability to push the car to its limits during initiation.

As drifting competitions evolved, with judges placing emphasis on smooth transitions and controlled angles, the crank slide became less prevalent. The technique, however, remains an iconic representation of the bold and dynamic driving styles that characterized early drifting.

FF Drift

FF Drift - or front wheel drive drift. The E-brake as well as steering and braking techniques must be used to balance the car through a corner. Note that the E-brake is the main technique used to balance the drift.

Handbrake Turn Entry 2.0

Handbrake turn entry 2.0 was an evolved version of the classic handbrake turn, incorporating more advanced handbrake modulation and steering finesse. Drivers executing this technique would use the handbrake not only to initiate the drift but also to control the angle and trajectory of the slide throughout the entire corner. This required a delicate balance between handbrake application, steering input, and throttle control, showcasing a high level of technical skill.

Dirt Drop Drift

The dirt drop drift was a technique where drivers intentionally dropped one or more wheels off the track surface, typically onto dirt or gravel, to induce oversteer and initiate a drift. This maneuver required precise timing and awareness of the track's surface conditions, as the transition from grip to slip was influenced by the texture and traction of the off-track terrain.

Left Foot Braking

Left foot braking is a technique involving simultaneous use of the accelerator and brake pedals. This method is employed during drift transitions and adjustments to finely control the vehicle's balance. By modulating the brake with the left foot while maintaining throttle input with the right foot, the driver can subtly adjust weight distribution and alter the drift's trajectory. Left foot braking requires exceptional coordination and precision to avoid abrupt changes in momentum.

Shift Lock Drift

This is performed by letting the revs drop on downshift into a corner and then releasing the clutch fast to put stress on the driveline to slow the rear tires inducing oversteer. This is like pulling the E-brake through a turn, but this should be performed on wet ground to minimize damage to the driveline.

Counter-Steer Transition

The counter-steer transition technique is applied during directional changes within a drift. As the driver transitions from one corner to another, precise counter-steering inputs are employed to manage the changing forces and maintain vehicle stability. This technique requires anticipatory control, with the driver adjusting the steering angle in harmony with weight transfer dynamics, ensuring a smooth and controlled transition between drift phases.

Power Over

Using a burst of throttle to cause a power surge making the rear wheels lose traction. Hard acceleration will cause the rear wheels to spin faster than the speed of the car and this loss of traction effectively causes the rear of the car to go light and slide. If you are steering into a bend the back will go wide, if you are traveling straight a steering motion will start the drift in the desired direction.

Kansei Drift

This is performed at race speeds. When entering a high speed corner a driver lifts his foot off the throttle very fast to induce a mild oversteer and then balances the drift through steering and throttle motions. The car that is being used for this style of drift should be a neutral balanced car therefore the oversteer will induce itself. If the car plows through any turn this technique will not work.

ILLEGAL DRIFTS

These kinds of drifts are extremely illegal worldwide. Drift at your own risk!

Tafheet

Also known as Arab drifting or Saudi drifting, is a type of street racing-like subculture believed to have started in the late 1970s in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, that involves driving cars that are generally non-modified or factory-setup (sometimes stolen or rented cars) at very high speeds, around 160–260 km/h (100–160 mph), across wide highways throwing the car left and right to mimic the appearance of drifting. In the process, drivers often drive dangerously close to traffic, barriers, and spectators watching from the roadsides without any protection.

The technique differs from high-speed cornering on tracks as cars drift sideways at high speed and recover with opposite lock. Tafheet practice and events occur with little or no concern for vehicle occupants, other drivers, or spectator safety, as a result there are many fatal accidents.

Doughnut

A doughnut or donut is a maneuver performed while driving a vehicle. Performing this maneuver entails rotating the rear or front of the vehicle around the opposite set of wheels in a continuous motion, creating (ideally) a circular skid-mark pattern of rubber on a carriageway and possibly even causing the tires to emit smoke from friction.

Performing the doughnut maneuver can be hazardous. Strain is placed on the vehicle's suspension and drivetrain, which may result in mechanical breakdown with loss of control. Tires are also subject to severe wear which may result in a sudden loss of pressure or blowout. In snow, however, the strain placed on the vehicle is much less. Hence, rally drivers prefer to learn car control in such situations.

Ghost riding

Ghost riding, also known as "ghost riding the whip" involves exiting a moving vehicle and allowing it to continue moving, often while performing stunts such as drifting. This practice is highly dangerous, as the vehicle becomes uncontrolled and can pose serious risks to others on the road.

Sideshow

Sideshow is an informal and often illegal demonstration of automotive stunts where drivers perform stunts, including doughnuts and ghost riding, in open spaces such as intersections or parking lots, causing traffic disruptions and safety hazards.

Street Drift

A street drift is where one or more cars are drifting around the closed roads, blocked off by traffic cones, street signs, etc. to avoid being out-of-bounds. Drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers, with loss of traction, while maintaining control and driving the car through the entirety of a corner. The technique causes the rear slip angle to exceed the front slip angle to such an extent that often the front wheels are pointing in the opposite direction to the turn.

Touge Street Drifting

Touge Street Drifting is Japanese variation of street drifting. This illegal motor sport racing is described as very exciting, very tough and extremely illegal. The participants are repeatedly involved in accidents, arrests and vehicle confiscations. It's usually performed on tracks deep in the mountains.

FICTIONAL DRIFTS

Fictional drifting styles in media are often exaggerated and stylized to enhance the visual spectacle and excitement. Here are a few examples of made-up drifting styles:

Blind Attack

The Blind Attack is a technique used by Takumi Fujiwara during which he shuts his Eight-Six's headlights when close to an opponent, so the opponent can't see where his car is from the rear-view mirror or judging from his car's headlights. There is another advantage, which is reduced aerodynamic drag. Since the car's pop-up headlights reduce the car's airflow by a small amount, creating drag, by turning the headlights off, the car's airflow is smoother, creating less aerodynamic drag.

Fujiwara Zone

Fujiwara Zone may be construed as a whole package that comprises: A near-supernatural ability to accelerate an FR car like a 4WD, an ability to change the rhythm of the racing line, and an ability to surprise his opponents by learning opponents' tricks on-the-fly during a race, among others. Fujiwara Zone may also be used to explain main character's ability to "race without seeing", to instinctively know after driving a course once, where the turns and tricks are, and can even be used to explain his being able to perform his blind attack where he turns his headlights off and "disappears".

Multi-Track Drifting

Multi-Track Drifting is a meme that originated from Densha de D, a parody doujinshi (fan comic) of Japanese street racing series Initial D that replaces automobiles with trains.

Gutter Techniques

Entry Gutter Run

It's an entry-oriented method that doesn't let the driver understeer at the entrance. The inner tires are dropped into the gutter to withstand the centrifugal force of the turn. It allows the car to turn beyond the grip of its tires.

Exit Gutter Run

This is the same technique as above except it's the exit-oriented method. The timing to drop in the tires and release them is different. Instead of using the gutter when entering the turn, it's used when exiting.

Reverse Gutter Run

Like the name says, it's about applying opposing force to the wheels during turns.

Without Gutter

It's basically the same technique as the first two above except without the gutter. The tires are dropped off of the road, and they hook onto the side of the road.

Wheel Lifting/Weight Shifting

This technique is the total opposite of the first two. It requires shifting the weight to the rear tires, taking as much weight off of the inner front tire as possible. It allows the car to float the inner tire above the gutter while taking the corner at full speeds.

Inertia Drift

Inertia drift is a driving technique used to carry the car through a corner whilst also maintaining momentum. The inertia drift is done by steering the car into the opposite direction of the corner, then shifting the weight of the car into the direction of the turn, causing the tyres to slide.

Drifting tips

1. Understanding Weight Transfer:

Recognize the impact of weight transfer during drifting. Mastering weight distribution is critical for initiating and controlling drifts. Understand how abrupt changes in acceleration, deceleration, and steering input affect the distribution of weight between the front and rear axles, influencing oversteer and drift dynamics.

2. Throttle Control for Drift Initiation:

Utilize precise throttle control to initiate drifts. Gradual and controlled application of throttle input is key to breaking traction at the rear wheels. Learn to modulate throttle response to achieve the desired level of oversteer, allowing for smoother and more predictable drift initiation.

3. Counter-Steering Techniques:

Master counter-steering techniques to regain control during drifts. Understand the importance of quick and precise steering inputs in the opposite direction of the drift to maintain vehicle stability. Practice smooth and progressive counter-steering to avoid overcorrection and ensure a controlled slide.

4. Brake Modulation for Drift Adjustments:

Learn the art of brake modulation for drift adjustments. Use the brakes to manage the drift angle and fine-tune your trajectory. Experiment with trail braking to extend controlled slides and left-foot braking to subtly shift weight distribution, influencing the drift behavior.

5. Understanding Tire Grip Levels:

Develop a keen awareness of tire grip levels. Recognize the transitional phases between grip and slip. Understanding the threshold of tire traction is crucial for maintaining control and preventing excessive wheel spin. This knowledge enables precise control over the drift.

6. Body Roll and Suspension Tuning:

Explore the impact of body roll and suspension tuning on drift performance. Understand how suspension settings influence weight transfer and chassis response. Fine-tune suspension parameters to achieve the desired balance between stability and agility during drift maneuvers.

7. Mastering Clutch Control:

Hone your clutch control skills for advanced drift techniques. Learn to modulate the clutch during drift sequences to manage the transfer of power to the wheels. This skill is essential for executing clutch kicks and other techniques that require rapid changes in engine speed.

8. Spatial Awareness and Line Selection:

Develop keen spatial awareness and strategic line selection. Understand the optimal trajectories through corners to maximize drift performance. Consider factors such as track layout, entry speed, and apex positioning to execute drifts with precision and maintain a smooth line.

9. Consistent Weight Distribution:

Maintain consistent weight distribution during drifts. Avoid abrupt or erratic inputs that disrupt the balance of the car. Consistency in steering, throttle, and brake inputs contributes to a more controlled and predictable drift. Practice achieving and maintaining a balanced weight distribution for optimal drift performance.

10. Vehicle Dynamics and Limit Understanding:

Acquire a comprehensive understanding of your vehicle's dynamics and limits. Familiarize yourself with the limits of tire grip, engine power, and suspension capabilities. This knowledge allows you to push the boundaries of your vehicle in a controlled manner, enhancing your ability to execute advanced drifting techniques with confidence.

The end

Thanks for reading. I hope this guide will help you learn drifting. I'll try to keep it updated (are drifts ever going out of date?) and add more content in the future. Keep it sideways, and see you in the next slide!