The Sport of Drifting

Author: Chris Tyrel

The sport of Drifting is catching on like wildfire all over the world, and that’s not exactly surprising considering it carries the most entertainment value of any motorsport out there. Even F1 has become mundane with cars lapping continuously in a “follow the leader” fashion for two hours. There isn’t much in the form of action, except when spectacular crashes happen, sending carbon fiber shrapnel everywhere. Not exactly safe, but it’s action nonetheless. So what is drifting and what makes it so much more exciting?

In case you are unsure what drifting is… it’s defined asa driving style in which the driver uses throttle, brakes, clutch, gear shifting and steering input to keep the car in a condition of oversteering while maneuvering from turn to turn. Drifters emphasize car control by coordinating the amount of counter steer (or opposite lock) with the simultaneous modulation of the throttle and brakes to shift the weight balance of the car back and forth through the turns. Furthermore, they strive to achieve this while adhering to the standard racing lines and maintaining extreme slip angles.

Basically, it’s sliding your car around sharp corners using your emergency break while staying within the lines of the track.

Drifting was a sport that was originally established on the streets of Japan. It has evolved into a competitive sport that challenges each competitor's driving ability and vehicle control. Unlike most motor sports, drivers are judged on execution and style, rather than who finishes the course in the fastest time. It's a combination of traditional car racing and extreme sports.

Formula DRIFT drivers compete in seven events nationwide for the coveted Formula DRIFT Championship crown. The first official series in North America attracted fans from all walks of life while establishing itself as the worldwide leader for the sport. This year marks Formula DRIFT's 10th year of competition.

Certain vehicles are best for the sport of drifting. Professional drifters often choose the following cars for optimal performance:

  • The Nissan 350Z
  • Skyline R34 GT-T
  • Nissan Silvia S13
  • Toyota Supra
  • Toyota Altezza

These cars all have two things in common. One, they are extremely fast cars. Two, they are very low to the ground which makes them very stable.

What anyone who is interested in getting involved in the sport should know is that the average price of a car for drifting is approximately $ 50,000. By the standards of car racing, that is certainly not expensive, but not everyone can afford to buy such a car. As a beginner you do not spend on a brand new car because you will wear the engine, gearbox, clutch, brakes, body, etc. and it will be a long time before you learn to drift without causing harm to the car.

But if you don’t want to learn to drift yourself and you enjoy watching action packed events with amazing drivers showing off their skill sets, then drifting is something you may want to keep your eye on. Although it has yet to appear in Canada, many predict that it is only a matter of time before this extreme motorsport crosses the border.

Sally J. Parker has been a race car buff since her 16th birthday when her dad let her drive his 67 Mustang. Since then Sally has visited more auto recycling facilities that she can count and can be found in her garage with a Rebuilt Transmission or Enginea name="_GoBack" and many weekends.