In our last drifting article, we discussed the history of drifting. While to some this may be unimportant, history is a key aspect when we begin to study any subject. It is especially important when one is considering drifting as a sport to gain entrance to. This article will focus on different techniques that drifters utilize on the track.
There are roughly ten drifting techniques that are employed on the track:
* Beginner
* Pendulum
* Powerslide
* Dirt drop
* Hand brake
* Taking in
* Compression slide
* Inertia drift
* Clutch kick
* Braking drift
* Weight transition
Different drifting techniques are utilized based on one’s experience level. For example, beginners are usually encouraged not to use techniques that do not involve some form of weight transition, due to the skill that is needed to correctly employ these methods. Therefore, first-timers will often use basic beginner techniques, compression slide, clutch kick or powerslide. Basic beginner techniques encourage the drifter to either stimulate a decline of traction by locking the wheel (also known as a e-brake drift), or exploit a sufficient amount of force from the motor to interrupt the grip force. The compression slide is a reverse of most techniques, in that it does not utilize braking. This particular method is done by down shifting very quickly, causing the wheels to hold fast for a small amount of time. However, the clutch kick technique utilizes the clutch, brake and gas. The drifter must successfully push the clutch in and out rapidly to traumatize the power train, which throws off the vehicle’s balance causing the rear wheels to dislocate. The powerslide technique is important for novices because it effectively teaches direction and accelerator dominance. Powersliding, also called power oversteer, is typically done while in a corner outlet by accelerating quickly in an effort to glide laterally out of the corner. While the powerslide and e-brake drift are considered to be beginner technique, professional drifters still employ them, and thus they are critical aspects of the overall sport of drifting.
More complex methods of drifting utilize weight transfer. Weight transfer is defined as the redistribution of mass supported by each tire during acceleration, including braking or decline in speed. These procedures include weight transition, braking drift, inertia drift, taking in and the pendulum. Weight transition methods are essentially to used to initiate a drift. By transferring the weight of the vehicle to the front wheels, the back wheels lose their traction which causes an oversteer status. Similarly, the braking drift is done by braking into a corner, and immediately depressing the gas pedal. The great aspect of the braking method is that it can successfully be done in both front wheel and rear wheel drive vehicles. Conversely, the inertia drift shifts the mass of the car to the outside of a bend. The driver initiates the inertia method by turning in the opposite direction of the turn and then rapidly turning back, causing the car to swing into a drift line. The taking in technique is similar to the braking drift in that the driver insures there is a loss of speed in the corner of the track. When the car has relatively independent handling, this method is easily employed due to engine braking. The pendulum method may be the most complex, and is not often performed in a true competition. Many drivers will only employ this drifting method in a “show” atmosphere. The drift is actually performed by transferring the weight of the car from side to side on the straight areas of the track, and then using countersteering to achieve a large drift angle.
The dirt drop method of drifting is not typically employed at true drift competitions, some consider this method crude when compared with other techniques. A drop dirt is performed by dropping the rear tires of the car onto a low traction surface, in an effort to achieve or keep a drift angle. This technique is also known as a dirt turbo.
