Drifting is one of the most exhilarating motorsports out there. Sliding sideways, balancing throttle and steering, and keeping the car in control while looking utterly cool—it’s no wonder drifting has such a massive following. However, let’s face it: drifting cars is hard. Whether you're just starting or chasing perfection on the track, this blog dives into the challenges of drifting, provides actionable tips, and answers burning questions like “how much camber do Formula Drift cars have?”, and even tackles whether you can drift an automatic.
Why Drifting Cars Is Hard
Drifting is a delicate dance between physics, mechanical setup, and driver skill. Here’s what makes it so tricky:
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Weight Transfer
Weight transfer is the cornerstone of drifting. As you enter a turn, the weight shifts from one side of the car to the other. Managing this shift while maintaining traction at the rear wheels (but not too much!) requires practice and precision. -
Car Setup
A poorly set-up car can make drifting nearly impossible. Suspension geometry, tire choice, alignment, and camber settings all play crucial roles. Without the right configuration, your car might fight you every step of the way. -
Technique
Drifting isn’t just about mashing the throttle and yanking the handbrake. Techniques like clutch kicking, feint drifts, and trail braking require coordination and finesse. Learning these moves and knowing when to use them takes time. -
Steering Angle
Factory steering angles limit how far your front wheels can turn, making it harder to catch a slide or maintain a drift. This is why angle kits, like SLRspeed’s industry-leading kits that offer over 74 degrees of steering angle, are essential for serious drifters.
How Much Camber Do Formula Drift Cars Have?
In Formula Drift, camber settings vary significantly based on the car, tire size, and wheel dimensions. Most professional drift cars run:
- Front Camber: -5 to -8 degrees for enhanced cornering grip and steering response.
- Rear Camber: Near 0 or slightly negative (e.g., -1 to -2 degrees) to maximize rear tire contact patch and traction during slides.
The exact setup depends on the car's chassis, suspension geometry, and the driver’s preferences. A well-tuned camber drift car ensures the right balance between grip and slip, allowing precise control during high-speed drifts.
Can You Drift an Automatic?
The short answer: Yes, you can drift an automatic. While manuals are traditionally preferred for their clutch control, automatics can still get sideways with the right techniques and modifications:
- Power Over: Use throttle modulation to induce a slide. In powerful automatics, simply mashing the throttle mid-turn can break the rear tires loose.
- Handbrake: An upgraded hydraulic handbrake can help initiate drifts without needing clutch control.
- Transmission Modifications: Installing a shift kit or adding paddle shifters can give you more control over gear selection.
- SLRspeed Parts: Pairing your automatic car with SLR drift-spec coilovers and an angle kit ensures better weight transfer, reduced body roll, and increased steering angle, making drifting much easier.
How to Drift: The Essentials
Ready to get sideways? Here’s a step-by-step guide:
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Start with the Right Car Setup
- Suspension: Stiff coilovers like SLRspeed’s drift-spec options reduce body roll and improve control.
- Steering: Upgrade to an SLRspeed angle kit for maximum steering angle and easier drift recovery.
- Tires: Use grippy front tires for control and harder rear tires for easier sliding.
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Learn the Basics
- Clutch Kick: Depress the clutch, rev the engine, and release the clutch quickly to break rear traction.
- Feint Drift: Initiate a drift by quickly steering away from the turn before steering into it.
- Handbrake Initiation: Pull the handbrake to lock the rear wheels and initiate a slide.
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Manage Weight Transfer
Smooth transitions are key. Use throttle and steering inputs to control the car’s balance as you slide through corners. -
Practice Recovery
Drifting isn’t just about initiating slides; it’s also about recovering from them. More steering angle can save you from spins and crashes—another reason to invest in a high-quality angle kit.
Camber and Toe for Drifting
Setting up camber and toe for drifting is crucial for both front and rear wheels:
- Front Camber: Negative camber improves grip during cornering and ensures better control in slides.
- Rear Camber: Slightly negative or zero camber provides a stable contact patch for smoother drifts.
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Toe Settings:
- Front: Slight toe-out improves initial turn-in response.
- Rear: Toe-in adds stability during slides.
Drifting Is Hard, But Worth It
There’s no sugar-coating it—drifting cars is hard. But with the right techniques, a well-set-up car, and some persistence, anyone can learn to drift like a pro. Whether you’re asking “how to drift” or exploring advanced setups like camber drifting, SLRspeed has the parts and expertise to get you there.
From our drift-spec coilovers to our industry-leading angle kits, we’ve got everything you need to conquer the challenges of drifting and take your skills to the next level.
