Drifting

ntb_tech1 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-21-2004, 10:12 AM

Do any of these schools teach drifting techniques?

In case you haven't noticed, I'm an inexperienced driver and have not attended any events or performance driving schools. I was wondering if drifting was something a person taught themself after being experenced in road race techniuques or if there was a way to get experenced instructors on such an oddball sport.

Vangman · #2 (**permalink**) 04-21-2004, 11:55 AM

I hope you're not planning on drifting an Elise. That would be such a waste and you'd be missing the point of the car.

I was surprised to find drifting schools listed when I googled it. I got the most hits at Drifting .

I have to tell you, I can't understand the attraction to mashing the throttle and burning up a good set of tires and drive train. If you want to go to school, spend the extra money and got to Skip Barber and learn how to drive a car. There is something to be said for driving as deep into a corner as the guy you're trying to pass, out braking him as you modulate the brakes from lock up to thresh hold, and getting the right launch out of the corner to keep him from passing you back. To me, that's what driving is all about. Anybody can put on a smoke show. Sorry....

mikester · #3 (**permalink**) 04-21-2004, 01:21 PM

Hi ntb,

Drifting looks cool and it's impressive, but it's not the quickest way around a course. I agree with Vangman that the best thing is first to get some basic training (driving skills, accident avoidance techniques, performance driving). Besides, drifting eats up tires like nobody's business !:p

thegit · #4 (**permalink**) 04-26-2004, 06:50 AM

Drifting appears to be increasingly popular. As far as car selection, to each,his own.
Bear in mind that as you become more skilled in the sport of drifting, you will be expected to do a Ballet with one or two more cars in extremely close proximity. Collisions are frequent, so regarding the selection of a rare future classic like an Elise, it seems a shame.
Try Corolla GTS, RX7,240SX, and other easily replaceable metal.
jmpw,
m.

tims · #5 (**permalink**) 04-26-2004, 08:16 AM

I agree that the first step in "learning" drifting is to attend some car control programs. Reading the messages the car is sending you as a result of your inputs is critical not only to drifting, but all performance driving. We have such programs at BeaveRun, and also conduct drift practice sessions on our VDA on a regular basis.
BTW, We're suppose to have two Elises at BeaveRun next week for a day. I had the pleasure of driving one on the North Course earlier. What a ride!

thegit · #6 (**permalink**) 06-07-2004, 01:19 PM

Skip Barber has a drift school. (GM Monaro GTO)
To each their own. I cannot afford to burn tires and replace differentials with any frequency.
It would be a good way to learn the behaviour of the car if the school hack was the same model as your own vehicle.
m.

HighporttwincaM · #7 (**permalink**) 06-10-2004, 07:19 PM

Bondurant not Barber

thegit · #8 (**permalink**) 06-11-2004, 09:51 AM

I stand corrected
m.

JLSELISE · #9 (**permalink**) 06-13-2004, 04:48 PM

FYI, see the issue of Autoweek with the cover date of May 31 for a 1-page story on drifting and Bondurant's school.
I agree with the other posters, it sure looks like a fun thing to do using someone else's car

. No way would I ever subject my cars to that kind of abuse when ordinary track days can test you and your car's limits in a relatively safe and not too mechanically stressing setting.

SpecElise · #10 (**permalink**) 06-29-2004, 04:46 PM

Go for the California Rally Series and
do a Rally-X school...

All the oversteer you want... just slide around on the dirt instead of the track..

Patrick
#24 Spec Miata
'03 WRX Street Mod AWD class

stijne · #11 (**permalink**) 07-22-2004, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vangman
I hope you're not planning on drifting an Elise. That would be such a waste and you'd be missing the point of the car.

I was surprised to find drifting schools listed when I googled it. I got the most hits at Drifting .

I have to tell you, I can't understand the attraction to mashing the throttle and burning up a good set of tires and drive train. If you want to go to school, spend the extra money and got to Skip Barber and learn how to drive a car. There is something to be said for driving as deep into a corner as the guy you're trying to pass, out braking him as you modulate the brakes from lock up to thresh hold, and getting the right launch out of the corner to keep him from passing you back. To me, that's what driving is all about. Anybody can put on a smoke show. Sorry....

after every trackday i put a fresh set of yokohama tyres on my lotus.. the feeling of really going for it (with a lot of tyre sliding and so) is superb... this is a race car... it drives like a go kart... and sideways going through corners is sublime... its not the fastest way, but i gets the adrenaline rushing...

enjoy

http://www.jimbocam.com/bentwaters/v...n2-mattd-1.mpg

this is the purpose of the car... racing !!! what else... are you guys old dinosaurs or so???

Savington · #12 (**permalink**) 07-31-2004, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vangman
Anybody can put on a smoke show. Sorry....

Why don't you try it sometime, and then come back and say that. :rolleyes:

Quote:

Originally posted by mikester
Drifting looks cool and it's impressive, but it's not the quickest way around a course.

There *is* a reason drifting competitions are not timed. Drifting is not meant to be fast around a track; it is meant to look cool, and therefore it is a judged event, like figure skating. There are skating races, and while figure skating isn't the fastest way around the rink, it certainly looks cool to some people.

If you're not impressed with drifting, go watch a good pair of drivers do a tandem drift around a tight course sometime. If you're not impressed with that, then you have no concept of fine car control :D

stijne · #13 (**permalink**) 08-01-2004, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Savington
Why don't you try it sometime, and then come back and say that. :rolleyes:

There *is* a reason drifting competitions are not timed. Drifting is not meant to be fast around a track; it is meant to look cool, and therefore it is a judged event, like figure skating. There are skating races, and while figure skating isn't the fastest way around the rink, it certainly looks cool to some people.

If you're not impressed with drifting, go watch a good pair of drivers do a tandem drift around a tight course sometime. If you're not impressed with that, then you have no concept of fine car control :D

you dont have to be an ace driver to enjoy a lotus.. each one his one emotions.. but hard braking.. slow entry and than the rush of acceleration with te back a little bit fighting you.. always big fun..

some people are scared from things like oversteer and understeer... i say.. they are normal with a car like this... if you want to go fast aroud a corner without breaking a sweat.. buy traction control (like on the mclaren slr)... but lotus.. without traction control.. pleeease

Troy_Audio · #14 (**permalink**) 08-18-2005, 10:41 PM

I like drifting.. I ike burning a set of tires off..
Its just fun & thats why Im lookin to get a Lotus..

I love to drive.. all day & all night
I love to Drive from AZ-Cali & Cali - Chi-Town..
I can drive for hrs..
Learning difrent styles of driving can only make you better..
So dim the dash lights & drive the **** out of the car..

But Drive it Like You Color..
Keep It In the Lines..
peace Troy