Drifting isn’t just a flashy move from car chase scenes—it’s a thrilling skill that requires precision, technique, and a touch of adrenaline. Whether you’re a curious beginner or an aspiring pro, this guide on how to drift a car covers everything you need to know. From tackling front-wheel-drive challenges to mastering automatic car drifting, you’ll be sliding into action in no time.
What Is Drifting and Why Is It So Popular?
Drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing a loss of traction in the rear wheels while maintaining control through a corner. This results in the car moving sideways, creating a dynamic and visually striking display.
Japan is where drifting was first introduced. After suffering an injury at the 1962 Isle of Man TT, famed motorcycle racer Kunimitsu Takahashi – the first Japanese Grand Prix winner – decided to switch to car racing in 1965.
In touring car competitions, he was an early adopter of a sliding technique. He was unmatched by any driver thanks to his Nissan Skyline KPGC10, which he used to skillfully navigate curves and surge onto straights.
The Basics of How to Drift a Four-Wheeler
Mastering the art of drifting starts with understanding the basics. It’s not just about yanking the handbrake and hoping for the best – there’s a blend of technique, timing, and vehicle knowledge that turns an ordinary corner into a thrilling drift.
Understanding Your Vehicle’s Drivetrain
Drifting isn’t a one-size-fits-all skill – your car’s drivetrain plays a huge role in how you approach those sideways slides. Let’s break it down:
- Rear-wheel drive (RWD) – The gold standard for drifting. With power delivered to the rear wheels, RWD cars allow for controlled oversteering, making it easier to initiate and maintain a drift. Rides like the Nissan 240SX or Toyota Supra are classic examples of RWD vehicles that are popular in the drifting scene.
- Front-wheel drive (FWD) – In FWD cars, the front wheels handle both steering and power, making drifting more challenging. Techniques like handbrake turns are essential to get those rear wheels sliding, but the lack of rear-wheel power limits how long the drift can be sustained.
- All-wheel drive (AWD) – AWD offers a mix of power to all four wheels, making it ideal for stability but tricky for drifting. AWD vehicles require advanced techniques, like clutch-kicking or weight transfer, to break traction, but once you do, it can feel incredibly rewarding.
Key Components for a Successful Drift
Before drifting, setting up your four-wheeler properly is key to success. With the right setup, your car is ready to carve out those thrilling slides.
- Tires – Low-grip tires on the rear wheels make sliding easier, while high-grip front tires ensure precise steering control.
- Suspension – A stiffer suspension minimizes body roll, keeping the car balanced during drifts. Adjustable coilovers allow fine-tuning for optimal performance.
- Drift-ready cars – Lightweight, rear-wheel-drive vehicles like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Nissan Silvia, or BMW E36 are perfect for beginners and pros, thanks to their balance and tunability.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Drift a Car
Drifting may look effortless, but it’s a carefully choreographed dance between control and chaos. This step-by-step guide breaks down the process, making it easier to master the art of sliding your ride like a pro.
Preparing for the Drift
Drifting starts with safety and preparation. Always find a safe, legal location like a closed track or a drift-specific facility to practice. Before hitting the track, check your car’s tire pressure, brakes, and fluid levels to ensure everything is in top condition. Finally, wear the appropriate safety gear, including a helmet if required, to protect yourself during practice.
Initiating the Drift
Begin by accelerating to a moderate speed, typically around 3,000-4,000 RPM, depending on your car. As you approach a corner, turn sharply into it and briefly pull the handbrake to lock the rear wheels. This will initiate the slide. Once the rear starts to drift, countersteer to maintain control and adjust the angle of the drift.
Maintaining and Exiting the Drift
To maintain the slide, use controlled throttle inputs to keep the drift smooth and steady. Balance your steering and gas to prevent spinning out while maintaining the drift angle. When you’re ready to exit, gradually ease off the gas and realign the car to regain traction and continue driving smoothly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Drifting may look effortless, but even seasoned drivers start by making mistakes. One of the most common issues is oversteering, which can quickly lead to spinning out and losing control of the vehicle. On the flip side, not countersteering enough can cause the drift to fail altogether, leaving you unable to maintain the slide.
Many beginners also forget to release the handbrake promptly after initiating the drift, which disrupts the ride’s flow and balance. Lastly, using improper tires – like high-grip ones on the rear – can make the learning process unnecessarily difficult. Avoid these pitfalls, and you’ll be sliding with style in no time!
Tips for Beginners to Stay Safe While Learning
This skill is as much about control as it is about flair, and safety should always come first. Start slow, focusing on the basics, and gradually build your skills – there’s no need to rush into advanced maneuvers.
Always practice in a controlled environment, like a closed track or authorized facility, where risks are minimized. Seeking guidance from experienced drifters or taking a dedicated drifting course can fast-track your progress while keeping you safe. Don’t forget to invest in proper safety gear and maintain your car regularly to handle the demands of drifting. Mastery comes with time, patience, and a commitment to doing it the right way.
How to Drift a Front-Wheel Drive Car?
Drifting a front-wheel-drive (FWD) car comes with unique challenges, primarily due to the lack of power being delivered to the rear wheels. Without that extra push from the back, initiating and maintaining a drift requires creativity and precision. One common technique is the E-Brake Method, where a quick pull of the handbrake locks the rear wheels, causing the car to slide.
Another option is Lift-Off Oversteer, which involves briefly lifting your foot off the gas to shift the car’s weight forward and make the rear lose traction. Lightweight hatchbacks like the Honda Civic or Ford Fiesta are great FWD options for drifting, offering agility and control. To avoid unnecessary wear and tear, practice on low-grip surfaces like wet pavement, keeping your speed moderate to minimize strain on the tires and drivetrain. With patience and the right technique, even an FWD ride can deliver thrilling drift action.
How to Drift an Automatic Car?
Contrary to popular belief, automatic four-wheelers can drift just as well as their manual counterparts – it just takes a slightly different approach. If your ride has a manual mode, take advantage of it to control gear shifts for better precision during a drift. The handbrake becomes your best friend for initiating slides, while careful throttle input helps maintain the drift angle without losing control.
Models like the Dodge Charger and certain BMW automatics are surprisingly capable of delivering solid drift performance. With the right technique and a little practice, you can turn an automatic ride into a drifting machine that’s ready to impress.
Drifting as a Competitive Sport
Drifting has evolved from underground street exhibitions to a globally recognized motorsport. At the forefront of this movement is Formula DRIFT, established in 2004 as the premier professional drifting series in North America. In professional drifting competitions, drivers are evaluated based on three primary criteria:
- Line – The ideal path a driver takes through the course, hitting specific clipping points and zones as designated by the judges.
- Angle – The degree of the car’s drift; maintaining a high angle demonstrates control and commitment.
- Style – The overall fluidity and excitement of the run, including factors like speed, smoke, and the driver’s confidence.
A real-life example of this journey is the story of Chris Forsberg, who began drifting for fun in the early 2000s. Through persistent effort and participation in local events, he climbed the ranks to become a three-time Formula DRIFT champion, exemplifying how passion combined with perseverance can lead to success in the competitive drifting world.
Drifting Techniques for Different Road Surfaces
Drifting techniques can vary greatly depending on the surface you’re driving on. Each terrain offers unique challenges and demands adjustments to your approach for maximum control and precision.
Asphalt
Asphalt is the go-to surface for most drifters, offering consistency and predictability. Maintaining proper tire grip is crucial here – low-grip rear tires help initiate the drift, while high-grip front tires ensure smooth steering control. Speed control is equally important – too fast, and you risk losing control, but too slow, and the drift won’t sustain. Finding that perfect balance is key to nailing drifts on asphalt.
Gravel or Dirt Roads
Drifting on gravel or dirt introduces the challenge of loose traction, which can be both a blessing and a curse. The loose surface makes it easier to break traction and initiate a drift, but maintaining control becomes trickier. Precision throttle control and gentle steering inputs are essential to prevent the car from spinning out. These surfaces also put less strain on tires, making them ideal for practice runs.
Wet or Icy Roads (For Professionals Only!)
Drifting on wet or icy roads is an entirely different ballgame, reserved for seasoned drifters who understand the razor-thin margin between control and chaos. Reduced traction makes initiating and maintaining a drift easier, but one wrong move can send the ride spiraling out of control. Extreme caution, precise throttle inputs, and experience are non-negotiable on these surfaces, making them unsuitable for beginners. Just keep in mind that 537,000 accidents happen annually on icy roads. So, make sure to only attempt them in safe, controlled environments with full safety gear.
Ready to Drift? Practice, Persevere, and Enjoy the Ride
Drifting is an exhilarating blend of skill, practice, and adrenaline that keeps car enthusiasts coming back for more. Whether you’re mastering the basics or fine-tuning advanced moves, the key is patience and persistence. Remember, every pro drifter started as a beginner spinning out on their first attempt. So, take your time, stay safe, and enjoy the journey of turning your four-wheeler into a tire-smoking, slide-perfect machine. The road – or track – awaits!
