Drifting
Catch My Drift: Tuning Your Own Stock Car
How to get drifting in a street car - a checklist
Drifting can be a cheap and accessible form of motorsport, which is, after all, the most expensive sport in the world. So what do you need to do to get a street or stock car going sideways? Most experts and forums agree: to start, all you need is a rear-wheel drive car and practice.
Back wheel on fire!
© Mohab Magdy
Rear wheel drive (RWD)
Every RWD car can, in theory, drift. It’s not that front wheel drive (FWD), all wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) cars can’t drift - they can, but it’s a different style, with different techniques. They can also be converted, but this can create a lot of wear and tear and is not always acceptable in races.
Look for a RWD with a limited slip differential (LSD), which prevents excess power from being limited to just one wheel, unlike in a standard ‘open’ differential (although this can be adapted into a ‘welded diff’). You’ll need a manual gearbox and resilient clutch… but not necessarily big horse power - 100HP at least, but you can drift in lower powered cars.
Most common stock cars
Japan is the birthplace of drifting and many of the best cars are Japanese: the Toyota Supra, Altezza or Corolla; a Nissan Silvia, Skyline or 180SX, 200SX, 370Z; or the Mazda RX-7. Some high-performance cars are great drifters - but obviously expensive to be thrashing, like Mercedes, BMWs and the Chevrolet Corvette. A Ford Sierra is a classic drift car in Europe and the US.
Smoke and Rubber
© Mohab Magdy
Tyres
This is where the money drains. Academies say you should change tyres every four tries, and one well-known drifter, Keisuke Hatekeyama, says he went through 300 in his first year practising! The best drift tyres have a stiff sidewall to reduce warping and ensure a consistent drifting style. A pressure of 32PSI is recommended, but lower when cold. If you’re under-steering, reduce the front tyre pressure by a few PSI to get more grip at the front; it’s the opposite for an over-steer.
Slicks with a low tread are ideal for a grip in the dry - but illegal on the road. Some drivers like to have a street set and a track set of tyres (and cheap or part-worn tyres are said to be fine when learning) but if you can’t afford that, it’s best to use one good set of general purpose tyres. Practising in the wet will reduce wear, because less speed is required to lose grip.
Suspension
Stock suspension is a lot softer than on tuned cars, so the car responds more slowly - but experts say the lessons you learn to counteract a soft suspension will help you in your drifting later on. If you are looking to modify, stiffer springs and dampers could help increase control, and anti-roll or sway bars at the back will reduce understeer.
Ready to go side ways
© Joel Capillaire
What else?
- Find somewhere to practice and play - there are tracks and academies in the UAE.
- Remove extra weight for practice - rear seats, all interior trim, the spare tyre and jack, your stereo and speakers - anything extraneous that will save weight!
- Secure loose objects - that even means floor mats and items in the glove box.
- Tape down the button on your handbrake, so you can raise it for turns, but it will lower and release itself.
- Use quality race oil for the engine and transmission to protect them: you’ll be revving for extended periods and better oil will protect from shock and stress. Warm-ups will reduce wear by warming up your fluids.
If racing…
You’re going to need more gear! A roll cage, a harness, a bucket seat, a helmet and fire-retardant clothes and a well-secured fire extinguisher. Convertible soft tops must have a hard top installed, according to most race rules, and glass sunroofs must be gaffer-taped in case of a roll and breakage.
But remember - a car is only as good as its driver, so learning really doesn’t have to be expensive. After all, it’s not about reaching the finish line first but in real smoky style.
The Red Bull Car Park Drift Final takes place at Dubai’s Meydan on Friday 20 November. RSVP now.
