If you go to Driving Park - Gymkhana there are cones placed in a circle. Try to drift one entire loop (in sustained drift) hugging the cones (but not hitting them!). I read an article by Car and Driver once that was similar to this - it definately helps/shows your car control abilities.
Drifting: One Complete Circle
How to induce the drift:
Start running around the circle, when you reach the maximum speed that the car can turn youre nearly ready to start. I find that it is best to let the car under-steer wide just a bit, let of the throttle to shift the rear weight to the side and then input throttle. Depending on the horsepower of the car, you might have to punch the throttle (low HP cars) or just add some throttle (high hp cars) to bring the tail around SLOWLY. Dont try to hit a crazy angle here, youll lose too much momentum and your drift will be over quickly. Make sure that you have enough RPMs left after the back end is kicked out to last you the rest of the circle.
In the drift:
Once you have a solid angle, reposition your hands on the steering wheel (DFP users) and then steer the car as normal. If you are drifting away from the circle you must steer towards the circle (slightly) and you MUST increase throttle. A serious rule you must remember is that you should NEVER DRECREASE THROTTLE when in the drift, if you have to, then your angle is incorrect and you wont finish the circle smoothly. When you think that you have to decrease throttle, you really must hold the throttle where it is. If you are drifting towards the circle, steer away and also increase throttle. Consistency is king here of course, and fluidity applies here even more so than in regular driving. Once you are out of RPMs you cannot continue the drift much longer. REMEMBER that you must ANTICIPATE the cars movements, once you are behind in the cars rotation, there isnt enough momentum to make the back end go out again.
The best car for circle drifting:
You really should have a car that has equal weight distribution 50/50, it is easier to bring the back end around and control it when you arent innately under or over steering. The smoother the loss of rear traction is, the better the drift is induced. It is possible though with cars that do under/over steer. It is best with high horsepower and torque cars (but the more horsepower the more minute and fluid your throttle inputs have to be, so find the best hp number for you). I started with a Corvette Z06. Pick tires that work best for you., I use N2s.
Holding the Steering Wheel:
As stated above, you must be in the drift and then reposition your hands to 9 and 3 oclock for maximum flexibility. When in the drift, do not turn the wheel past zero (straight ahead) because then you are not in a true drift anymore. You might though come close to it. Steering inputs do not have to be as fluid as the throttle, but still fluidity again is always the best policy in driving.
Excess notes:
The RPMS at the beginning of a drift (in the drift) if correct, are equal to the same speed the car is going if it was in a straight line interesting thought. Car and Driver did this test a few years ago to test talent of certain drivers (the Lotus test driver kicked arse .hes amazing, but right behind him was a NASCAR driver! Yes, they can actually drive.).
Drifting: One Complete Circle
How to induce the drift:
Start running around the circle, when you reach the maximum speed that the car can turn youre nearly ready to start. I find that it is best to let the car under-steer wide just a bit, let of the throttle to shift the rear weight to the side and then input throttle. Depending on the horsepower of the car, you might have to punch the throttle (low HP cars) or just add some throttle (high hp cars) to bring the tail around SLOWLY. Dont try to hit a crazy angle here, youll lose too much momentum and your drift will be over quickly. Make sure that you have enough RPMs left after the back end is kicked out to last you the rest of the circle.
In the drift:
Once you have a solid angle, reposition your hands on the steering wheel (DFP users) and then steer the car as normal. If you are drifting away from the circle you must steer towards the circle (slightly) and you MUST increase throttle. A serious rule you must remember is that you should NEVER DRECREASE THROTTLE when in the drift, if you have to, then your angle is incorrect and you wont finish the circle smoothly. When you think that you have to decrease throttle, you really must hold the throttle where it is. If you are drifting towards the circle, steer away and also increase throttle. Consistency is king here of course, and fluidity applies here even more so than in regular driving. Once you are out of RPMs you cannot continue the drift much longer. REMEMBER that you must ANTICIPATE the cars movements, once you are behind in the cars rotation, there isnt enough momentum to make the back end go out again.
The best car for circle drifting:
You really should have a car that has equal weight distribution 50/50, it is easier to bring the back end around and control it when you arent innately under or over steering. The smoother the loss of rear traction is, the better the drift is induced. It is possible though with cars that do under/over steer. It is best with high horsepower and torque cars (but the more horsepower the more minute and fluid your throttle inputs have to be, so find the best hp number for you). I started with a Corvette Z06. Pick tires that work best for you., I use N2s.
Holding the Steering Wheel:
As stated above, you must be in the drift and then reposition your hands to 9 and 3 oclock for maximum flexibility. When in the drift, do not turn the wheel past zero (straight ahead) because then you are not in a true drift anymore. You might though come close to it. Steering inputs do not have to be as fluid as the throttle, but still fluidity again is always the best policy in driving.
Excess notes:
The RPMS at the beginning of a drift (in the drift) if correct, are equal to the same speed the car is going if it was in a straight line interesting thought. Car and Driver did this test a few years ago to test talent of certain drivers (the Lotus test driver kicked arse .hes amazing, but right behind him was a NASCAR driver! Yes, they can actually drive.).
closest i came was about 3/4 with the caterham.
duh.
