Advantages of Drift?

[KaffeinE 86]

While watching Initial D, I wondered why they drift corners instead of taking normal turns.

Are there any tactical advantages to drifting?

 

[G-T-4-Fan]

Short and simple: no there aren't except for a more fun game

 

[KaffeinE 86]

So Initial D is just stylism?

 

[humbo]

Pretty much, but when I saw the first couple of episodes in stage 4 I noticed they made the movements of the car more realistic, so they aren't getting all sideways.

 

[Duke]

Yes. And real drifters are the first to admit that. However, it can be used as an excercise in learning car control; but used directly it is only rarely useful in racing.

 

[eSPy]

isnt drifting used to get around sharp turns faster (if done in a non-showey way). plz correct me if im sayin somthing wrong.

 

[R_Riders]

Yes. And real drifters are the first to admit that. However, it can be used as an excercise in learning car control; but used directly it is only rarely useful in racing.

Duke's correct. Drift has it's uses in racing, as seen a LOT in WRC but for pavement, it depends. On wet pavement as you'll see in the later parts of stage 1, and stage 4, also Stage 3 (though that was snow), Drift can be used to compensate for a lack of traction in a given situation. On dry roads, it's not as effective less your car already has a tail happy nature (Silvia S13, Corvette Z06, BMW M3 E46, MR2 SW20, Ginetta G4 etc)... and also it could be driving style.

In GT3, drifting was in the end more of my game than drift, but in the end, I employ BOTH techniques to the best of my ability. Same for GT4 (with a little time as I had on that, will change in 2 or so weeks though... I hope...)...

Initial D, speed drifting 98% of the time is used, style has something to do with it but to an extent as I already said, function. It's just to an extent, this was gone back and forth a LOT in the GT3 forums, try and take a look there.

I wish I could say more now (but once more, scrapped for time), it has it's usefullness, and it's also down to driving style. For me, it's whatever works. If I can get thru a corner faster griping or more comfortable, I'll do it, if I feel like drifting the double apex of apricot hill becuase I feel it's better compared to griping the corner (crazy as that WILL sound consdering that corner...even for GT3...)...then I'll do it. It's down to style, prefrence and then some.

Also...

isnt drifting used to get around sharp turns faster (if done in a non-showey way). plz correct me if im sayin somthing wrong.

Depends on a specefic sharp corner in question. I could give examples but...

Till later.

 

[Ryen49]

The point is grip = faster than drift..plain and simple.. I'm stopping this here before it turns into another flame war.

 

[MRP]

The first few stages of Initial D showed huge angle drifts which is totally unrealistic. And yes the fourth stage is better, but there's still a little bit of unrealism but that's fine.

Drifting in a mountain track does offer advantages because the road isn't a simple flat surface with corners anymore, it's quite bumpy and has elevations. You have to realize that it's not a simple circuit track, think of Nurburgring. However, it doesn't mean that it is better to drift on every corners.

Here again, this is where your knowledge about physics applies, the reason why Takumi's AE86 wins in his race is because of physics. Multiple factors such as weight, tires condition, horse power, etc. will determine which car has an advantage over the other. For example, heavy cars such as the Skylines has to brake heavily before they can corner while the AE86 doesn't need to brake that much.

EDIT: Many people complain about the formula "the more horsepower = the better chance you win." Well, mountain racing is really where you can eliminate that formula.

 

[Suzuki]

drifting is used in racing. just not alot. ive seen F1 cars get sideways on a few turns. only tight ones where drifting would be faster than grip. other than that, its just the most fun way of getting around a corner. it also helps you learn your cars, and your own limits, and helps to build smoothness and precise control.
edit: in refernce to the first post, they are taking to big of an angle to have any benifits. they are inbetween race and exhibition drifting.
just my $.02

 

[Gen.]

I usually think the driver almost lose control on those turns... Doesn't the downforce help keep the car on the ground, making it more stable around corners?

But yea, drifting does help to learn car control and the like. Plus it's fun

 

[Swift]

Oh yeah, this has gone on more then long enough. Another Initial D inspired thread. Oh well. Thanks again gentlemen for laying done the facts. I believe we can call it a day here.