Drifting is more than just sliding a car — it’s the art of controlling a vehicle beyond the limits of traction. Whether you want to learn drifting for fun, competition, or skill development, understanding the techniques, vehicle setup, and control methods is essential. This guide will take you from the fundamentals of how to drift to advanced racing-level techniques.
What Is Drifting?
Drifting is a motorsport driving style where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing the rear wheels to lose traction while maintaining control through a corner. In professional drifting, style, line, angle, and speed are judged alongside execution.
Basic Requirements to Learn How to Drift
- Rear-wheel drive vehicle: Most beginners start with RWD cars for predictable control.
- Manual transmission (preferred): Allows for clutch kicks and better throttle modulation.
- Limited slip differential (LSD): Ensures both rear wheels spin under power.
- Proper tires: Beginners may use harder compound tires to reduce grip.
- Safe practice space: Closed track or drift-approved lot.
Beginner Drifting Techniques
1. Handbrake Initiation
Pull the handbrake to break rear traction, then steer into the slide while balancing throttle and countersteer.
2. Clutch Kick
Depress the clutch, rev the engine, and release quickly to shock the drivetrain and break traction.
3. Power Over
Apply full throttle mid-corner to overcome rear grip.
4. Feint Drift
Quickly steer away from the corner before turning in sharply, using weight transfer to break traction.
Controlling the Drift
- Countersteer: Steer in the opposite direction of the slide to maintain control.
- Throttle modulation: Too much throttle will spin you out, too little will straighten the car.
- Brake balancing: Light braking can reduce speed while keeping the drift angle.
- Weight transfer: Shifting weight forward or backward affects grip and drift angle.
Advanced Drifting Techniques
1. Shift Lock
Downshift aggressively without rev-matching to create engine braking and unsettle the rear tires.
2. Manji Drift
Linking multiple drifts in a straight by swinging the rear end side to side.
3. Long Slide Entries
Initiating a drift well before the corner, maintaining control at high speeds.
4. Tandem Drifting
Following another drift car closely, matching angle, speed, and line — requires extreme precision.
Drift Car Setup Essentials
- Coilover suspension: Improves weight transfer and handling predictability.
- Increased steering angle: Allows for more aggressive drift angles without spinning out.
- Stronger tie rods and control arms: Handles stress from extended steering angles.
- Brake bias adjustment: Fine-tunes balance between front and rear brakes.
- Hydraulic handbrake: More consistent initiation control than stock handbrakes.
Common Drifting Mistakes
- Too much throttle causing spinouts
- Not enough countersteer to catch the slide
- Looking at the obstacle instead of the drift line
- Incorrect tire pressures reducing control
Drift Practice Tips
- Start slow — focus on control, not speed.
- Use a skid pad to practice without corner walls.
- Record your runs to review technique.
- Learn from experienced drifters or attend a drift school.
Conclusion
Learning how to drift is a combination of mechanical skill, vehicle knowledge, and seat time. By starting with basic techniques and progressing to advanced maneuvers, you can build the precision and style needed for competitive drifting. Equip your car with the right parts, practice regularly, and respect the limits of both your machine and environment.
