Places to Learn Drifting

[SigmaViper11]

Ok, This is my first time starting a thread, and I've been unable to find a similar thread. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Basically I'm curious on what people's opinion is for what track and possibly recommended car combination to use, to learn drifting when GT5 comes out. I know there's no official track list, so just off of the ones that have been confirmed through trailers give your opinion.
I suppose it could apply to learning drifting in general, but for me its learning how to drift with the DFGT. And no, don't tell me I need to get a G25 or G27 or some other wheel. I got the DFGT, and am quite happy.

Right now I'm trying to learn how to drift with the DFGT in GT5P and am using the two Suzuki EA21Rs. I practice on the S curve of High Speed Ring and the widened concrete area on the backstretch of Daytona.

So what do you think would work best to learn or relearn drifting in GT5?
Specially since I know, based on the Best Buy demo, the physics will be significantly different from the physics of Prologue.

I'm thinking maybe an FC RX-7 and the Top Gear Test track since its nice and wide with varying curves that have no walls (not including the invisible ones off track).

But of the cars and tracks that are currently known to feature in GT5 (of which somewhere it was confirmed that most if not all of the cars from GT4 will be featured. Not sure about the tracks.) what do you think would be a good combination to learn drifting.

But I'm really

 

[Nish]

I would head for Apricot with a MX-5 or pre E90 M3 as they have nice control and good weight distribution. I chose Apricot Raceway for the long sweeping turn and altitude changes. Though I don't drift I'm guessing there will be a series or two with it so might as well practice.

 

[Shigegaki]

Eiger is the best course I believe to start learning to drift on, it's a very tight track with little room for any errors.But as for cars, Miata's and RX7's are great choices because of their weight distribution. Even Cappuccino's are nice little cars although they're very underpowered though.

 

[Raitziger]

In Prologue the tuned cappuccino is good in s turn in high speed ring for starters.(use n1 tires on this car) The next challenge could be to take s turns in suzuka.(more demanding as road tilts more)

 

[Wits]

I am also new with drifing with a wheel (G27). I tried many things in GT5P but can't keep the cars in a nice drift. I use N1 tires on cars and the force feedback is put on 10. Any suggestions on how to make a nice drift. If possible in steps for what to do first, second etc. I think many people new with wheels will have the same problems as I have.

 

[SigmaViper11]

I would head for Apricot with a MX-5 or pre E90 M3 as they have nice control and good weight distribution. I chose Apricot Raceway for the long sweeping turn and altitude changes. Though I don't drift I'm guessing there will be a series or two with it so might as well practice.

I think Aprcot Hill would be good. My only issue would be the same one that I have with Suzuka. I'd probably spend more time trying to get out of dirt than going sideways on the track. But for once you get to the point of getting a cr sideways into a corner, that track would be absolutely incredible to learn better techniques.

Eiger is the best course I believe to start learning to drift on, it's a very tight track with little room for any errors.But as for cars, Miata's and RX7's are great choices because of their weight distribution. Even Cappuccino's are nice little cars although they're very underpowered though.

I found Eiger to be good because of the close fences, you're not wasting time trying to get back onto the track, but part of its issue was that its so tight. I have issues starting out getting used to it because I have issues with keeping the car steady, so learning transition is quite difficult. I don't mean to be selfish with my answers, but I bet there are others who probably have similar issues.

In Prologue the tuned cappuccino is good in s turn in high speed ring for starters.(use n1 tires on this car) The next challenge could be to take s turns in suzuka.(more demanding as road tilts more)

This one I liked because it had close walls but the track itself was wide, with smooth sweeping curves. My only complaint is the banking. Spin every time. The S I'm getting used too.


I don't mean to be like GRRRRRR. Cuz these are very good combinations, as this is also what I used when doing it with the controller. But for some reason the learning curve with the DFGT seems to be significantly different. I suppose it could be that I'm not giving enough throttle input cause my steering reactions are nearly as fast as my analog reactions.

I'm also thinking that some longer sweeping tracks would be good to as well as city courses. I tried Madrid in the Demo, and that felt like a good place to learn to drift but still...

I am also new with drifing with a wheel (G27). I tried many things in GT5P but can't keep the cars in a nice drift. I use N1 tires on cars and the force feedback is put on 10. Any suggestions on how to make a nice drift. If possible in steps for what to do first, second etc. I think many people new with wheels will have the same problems as I have.

So far I've tried going round the bend, powering over, immediately followed by a split second off the throttle while counter steering just under what I actually expect it to be and then easing rather quickly back onto the throttle. Its gotten to the point where in certian cars, MAinly the EA21Rs and the Tamora, I can drift the first half of the S at HSR. Lose it in the transition though. The other thing is I'm using a DFGT, and have no idea how to deal with the Ebrake, since its still set to the O button and I lose track of it while counter steering.

 

[GDII]

I found the TVR Tuscan very good in GT5P on Eiger reverse. I have yet to try it with a wheel but I will be soon when I have finished my custom cockpit setup.

 

[Spagetti69]

On a beach.

 

[Roushman90]

Suzuka East. The esses are great weight transfer practice.

As for car, any of the starter drift cars in real life pretty much translate in GT..
Ex: S13, AE86, FC RX-7, etc.

Just use N1 or N2s, Stiffen suspension a bit + lower car (not too much)...

 

[happycorey]

I felt Eiger was too short, but for GT5P Suzuka East/Jaguar XK was a good combo. Even the SL55 AMG was insanely easy to slide. I think Suzuka is a very demanding and somewhat difficult course to slide but once you get the hang of sliding the first corner you'll have the car control and the limit of grip all figured out to be able to slide anything else and most turns.

When the full game drops I'm really not sure about which car I'm going to use, probably a Silvia or a 240sx of some sort, but Autumn Ring Reverse is going to be one of my tracks of choice. I always tried to slide it in GT4 and it was really difficult so I couldn't really link corners. Tsukuba as well is a good one I am looking forward to being a great track to slide.

 

[E28]

I'd say the TG Test Track. Nice and wide, plenty of grass around in case of mistakes, and once you get better try a tighter or more complex track

 

[Maximum Hoonage]

I have no idea what tracks to try yet, but I'd go for the Miata or S15 Silvia. I'd be willing to try the chromeline M3 and see if that's any good for drifting...

 

[Nish]

I thought about what your looking for and Tokyo R??? came to mind, though maybe too much straight sections. I'll also add:
Deep Forest Raceway
El Capitan
Midfield Raceway
Trial Mountain Circuit
Special Stage Route 5
Côte d'Azur
all with acceptable runoff area or close walls

Also Twin Ring Motegi - Road Course
Though it has your dreaded grassy fields, it is a course that you have optimum visibility to judge the corners prior to beginning your rotation.

 

[SigmaViper11]

I am also new with drifing with a wheel (G27). I tried many things in GT5P but can't keep the cars in a nice drift. I use N1 tires on cars and the force feedback is put on 10. Any suggestions on how to make a nice drift. If possible in steps for what to do first, second etc. I think many people new with wheels will have the same problems as I have.

I thought about what your looking for and Tokyo R??? came to mind, though maybe too much straight sections. I'll also add:
Deep Forest Raceway
El Capitan
Midfield Raceway
Trial Mountain Circuit
Special Stage Route 5
Côte d'Azur
all with acceptable runoff area or close walls

Also Twin Ring Motegi - Road Course
Though it has your dreaded grassy fields, it is a course that you have optimum visibility to judge the corners prior to beginning your rotation.

Grass isn't so bad. Lol. It's a nice list, a few of which I over looked and hadn't originally thought of.

My issue is the dirt. Sand traps are a royal pain big time now. Also some grass area (at least with prologue) were as bad as sand traps which gave me problems, as where other parts of grass the tires had no problem getting up to a good speed and holding it.

I really like the idea of Midfield, Trial Mountain and SSR5. . . Man . . . SSR5. . . That'll be some serious fun, drifting or not.

 

[Shigegaki]

Tsukuba Circuit is also a great track to learn how to drift, Autumn Ring and the two Costa tracks. Sorry I haven't played GT4 and GT PSP in a long time.

 

[Dan360]

The Mazda RX-7 (Old one, before it resembled the curvy shape) at Motorland forward is a good place to start. The Esses and the big right-hander is a good way to learn how to 'flick' the car, as well as keeping a drift stable.

Suzuka East is also a great place for beginners.

 

[Clutch34]

I dunno about tracks, but definitely start with the tuned cappuccino. I'm learning how to drift as well and that car on N1's in Eiger work the best as far as learning go. Good luck!

 

[articzap]

How did I "get used to" GT5P? I grabbed Z06 on N3's. Hoped online with all of my drifting buddies from GT4 and just drifted non stop till I got it. Frustrating way, but I was able to hop in any car afterwards.

 

[Micra_K11Squad]

Try using the viper SRT on high speed ring, you'll eventually get the hang of it. 👍

 

[R34EVO9]

seeing u never drift before take it to deep forest and learn that first turn. then do suzuka short in reverse.. and after that u should be ok... and for car i would use a s14.. fully buit.. but this is if ur playing gt4. in gt5p the tuned z i real easy to control and suzuka would be ur best bet

 

[Zuel]

I had a very good time learning how to drift in the Tuned G37 Suk. I'm still getting the hang of it though the Tuned G37 is a nice car to learn drifting in. Using N1 tires now, I don't know I started with S1 tires.

 

[Fastlap]

Hi guys, this is my first post!!

I have quite a bit of experience with drifting, both real life and of course in simracing.

The best car for drifting is basically every car with a rather powerful engine in the front and rear-wheel drive. It helps a lot if the weight distribution is as close to 50/50 as possible. Generally there is a bit more weight on the front.

It also helps a LOT if the car has a partially locked rear-differential.

Examples of cars that fit these criteria are all the M3´s and the 370z.

Generally harder to control are mid-engined and rear-engined cars. Examples for the former are the ferrari 360, 430, 458 and F40, examples for the latter are all the porsches.

In the beginning I would not choose a car with too much power (Z06 and upwards). A lot of power can surely be usefull, but it can lead to mistakes by applying too much gas as well.

My favourite car to start drifting with is the 370Z, it is very well balanced, has enough power to start with and most important of all, I simply like it very much 👍

Then you should choose a 3rd gear corner, the right hander before the tunnel at Eiger Nordwand comes to mind.

There are several techniques to initiate a drift. I personally would start with the slow in / fast out technique.

Enter the corner with about 80% of the speed that you could on the racing line and enter the corner a little bit later than you normally would.

Right after turning into the corner floor the gas until the rear steps out. This is very crucial to a succesfull driift. If you apply too much throttle, the rear will step out so much that your only can try to recover the car and will not be able to hold the drift. If you apply not enough throttle, the car will reagain grip too quickly and the rear will snap into the opposite direction, resulting in a spin.

So this needs obviously some feeling and training to get it just right. When the rear starts to step out you need to slowly start to countersteer at the same time. Take your foot of the gas slightly when you reach the desired drift angle. The car will automatically want to straighten it self out at this point, you need to pump the throttle again to keep the drift.

Imagine a pendulum that has reached its highest point, it will allways want to swing to its center and to the other side. You need to pump the throttle when it is just about to start swing in the other direction.

You are now in the middle of the corner and in the middle of the drift. From here on it is all about the beautifull balance between throttle input and steering lock. This cannot be explained and you cant read a manual and then do it. This is all about feeling for the car, which you only get by practicing.

And after practicing I would strongly adivse to practice some more, followed by intense practicing. I think you catch my drift (no pun intented).

Another way to start the drift, and by far the more difficult but also more elegant, is the balancing technique.

Drive into the corner a little bit too fast (about 105 to 110 % of racing speed), and again enter the corner a little bit too late. Brake into the corner, which pushes the weight to the front tires. This way the rear starts to loose grip and therefore the rear will slowly start to step out.

At this point you again need to apply opposite lock at the same time. As soon as the rear stops sliding outwards and the car wants to straighten out, you have to pump the throttle to hold the drift. From here on its the same as above. Practice, practice and more practice, followed by more intense practicing.

The last technique is using the e-brake. Appoach the corner at normal speed, and about 100 meters (roughly 100 yards) before corner entry lock the rear tires by using the e-brake ( In real life you better remember to press the clutch before you do that ). With locked rear wheels you need a minimum of steering lock into the corner to get the rear end sliding. I would advise you to release the e-brake as soon as the rear end starts sliding, I often made the mistake of holding it too long.

After that its the same game, wait until the pendulum (or rear end of the car) wants to change direction and swing in the other way, and pump the throttle to keep it there.


That´s it for now, sorry for the long read, but I wouldn´t know how to explain this in just a few bullet points.

See ya,

Fastlap

 

[SigmaViper11]

seeing u never drift before take it to deep forest and learn that first turn. then do suzuka short in reverse.. and after that u should be ok... and for car i would use a s14.. fully buit.. but this is if ur playing gt4. in gt5p the tuned z i real easy to control and suzuka would be ur best bet

In terms of the GT series, I've actually been drifting since GT3. So I have a moderate concept of drifting. GT3 I could drift most of the Complex string, but would lose it on the straights. Couldn't hold the swing (Manji I think?) for that long straight. GT4, managed to drift the whole of Autumn ring, which isn't really a major feat, and with GT5P I could manage to drift the entire Suzuka short circuit. I'm not bragging, so sorry if it comes off like it. But that was with the controller as well. I'm now practicing with a wheel and have found that certain tracks either get me real anxious (for getting bogged in the sand) or make me feel claustrophobic (fence is on the edge of the track, but the width isn't enough.) Never had that issue with the wheel before, but I also suspect that's what they mean by a good part of racing is mental.

Hi guys, this is my first post!!

I have quite a bit of experience with drifting, both real life and of course in simracing.

The best car for drifting is basically every car with a rather powerful engine in the front and rear-wheel drive. It helps a lot if the weight distribution is as close to 50/50 as possible. Generally there is a bit more weight on the front.

It also helps a LOT if the car has a partially locked rear-differential.

Examples of cars that fit these criteria are all the M3´s and the 370z.

Generally harder to control are mid-engined and rear-engined cars. Examples for the former are the ferrari 360, 430, 458 and F40, examples for the latter are all the porsches.

In the beginning I would not choose a car with too much power (Z06 and upwards). A lot of power can surely be usefull, but it can lead to mistakes by applying too much gas as well.

My favourite car to start drifting with is the 370Z, it is very well balanced, has enough power to start with and most important of all, I simply like it very much 👍

Then you should choose a 3rd gear corner, the right hander before the tunnel at Eiger Nordwand comes to mind.

There are several techniques to initiate a drift. I personally would start with the slow in / fast out technique.

Enter the corner with about 80% of the speed that you could on the racing line and enter the corner a little bit later than you normally would.

Right after turning into the corner floor the gas until the rear steps out. This is very crucial to a succesfull driift. If you apply too much throttle, the rear will step out so much that your only can try to recover the car and will not be able to hold the drift. If you apply not enough throttle, the car will reagain grip too quickly and the rear will snap into the opposite direction, resulting in a spin.

So this needs obviously some feeling and training to get it just right. When the rear starts to step out you need to slowly start to countersteer at the same time. Take your foot of the gas slightly when you reach the desired drift angle. The car will automatically want to straighten it self out at this point, you need to pump the throttle again to keep the drift.

Imagine a pendulum that has reached its highest point, it will allways want to swing to its center and to the other side. You need to pump the throttle when it is just about to start swing in the other direction.

You are now in the middle of the corner and in the middle of the drift. From here on it is all about the beautifull balance between throttle input and steering lock. This cannot be explained and you cant read a manual and then do it. This is all about feeling for the car, which you only get by practicing.

And after practicing I would strongly adivse to practice some more, followed by intense practicing. I think you catch my drift (no pun intented).

Another way to start the drift, and by far the more difficult but also more elegant, is the balancing technique.

Drive into the corner a little bit too fast (about 105 to 110 % of racing speed), and again enter the corner a little bit too late. Brake into the corner, which pushes the weight to the front tires. This way the rear starts to loose grip and therefore the rear will slowly start to step out.

At this point you again need to apply opposite lock at the same time. As soon as the rear stops sliding outwards and the car wants to straighten out, you have to pump the throttle to hold the drift. From here on its the same as above. Practice, practice and more practice, followed by more intense practicing.

The last technique is using the e-brake. Appoach the corner at normal speed, and about 100 meters (roughly 100 yards) before corner entry lock the rear tires by using the e-brake ( In real life you better remember to press the clutch before you do that ). With locked rear wheels you need a minimum of steering lock into the corner to get the rear end sliding. I would advise you to release the e-brake as soon as the rear end starts sliding, I often made the mistake of holding it too long.

After that its the same game, wait until the pendulum (or rear end of the car) wants to change direction and swing in the other way, and pump the throttle to keep it there.


That´s it for now, sorry for the long read, but I wouldn´t know how to explain this in just a few bullet points.

See ya,

Fastlap

Its a good read and has a lot of good information. Its very much appreciated so, no worries. Thing is, ok. I can drift no issue with a DS3. Not great, maybe between 10k and 13k points in Suzuka, but I could hold it well and keep a decent constant between each run.

But now, I'm using a DFGT. The biggest issue I kept having was that I kept spinning the car on initiation. It could be also cuz I'm till trying to drift with my old habits, of never using the E-brake and initiating by weight transfer, braking, over power or any combination of the three. With some of the lower powered cars, EA21R, TVR Tamora, Nissan 350Z and the RX7 I can initiate without and issue. Example being the esses at HSR. I can initiate no problem but then I end up spinning on the transition.

And with the wheel the most common thing I use is turning in immediately after jumping off the throttle and as the car starts to go sideways picking it up with the throttle and holding it in the slide. But I can't swing the machine for transitions. For some of the higher powered cars I may use the same style to initiate and find that it'll slide quite well and then spin. For those I know its just an issue of throttle manipulation specially in the Viper. Haven't tried any MR or AWD cars though. But for some cars, like the BMW 1 Series, I find that as I turn in the cars just spins around. It very quickly goes beyond the point of recovery. Idk, if thats a characteristic of the car or if I'm doing something wrong. Could it be maybe I'm turning in too hard?

 

[Fastlap]

I think it is propably a controller configuration issue than a driving issue. I have a dfpro and had troubles adjusting to the 900 degree steering. I simply wasn´t quick enough especially during weight transfer situations like you described (which is to me btw the absolute best moment in drifting, when you get that transition just right, mmmmhhh ).

Another driving related issue for me was that I used to completely lift the throttle during the weight shift, because I was afraid of spinning out. Well that resulted in a weight transfer to the front, which actually didn´t help at all hehe.

I feel that it helps a lot to just lift a split second when the rear swings to the other side and then very quickly but gently apply throttle again to get some weight on the back. The transitions are the hardest part anyway, so I wouldn´t worry too much. It is imo simply a matter of getting used to a new controller and maybe adjusting the settings.

If you spin on initiation that is a totally different matter, which depends on a lot of factors (Type of car, type of corner, entry speed, e-brake yes/no, brakes yes/no, brake balance, etc).

But again, imo, if you have a new controller it takes at least a week of intense driving to really feel comfortable with it. In some cases less, in some more of course.

 

[Niko_9]

For me I use G27 and it is perfect and fun...
sometimes I use the grass to make the car slide very fast in corners

 

[Scoop2004]

I'd say the TG Test Track. Nice and wide, plenty of grass around in case of mistakes, and once you get better try a tighter or more complex track

Plenty of invisable walls 2 inches onto the grass though, and i wouldnt be surprised if you find invisable walls on the parts of the taxiways where the racing line isnt.

On GT5P high speed ring esses was a great place to drift, along with suzuka, TG track has potential.

On GT4 the track I drifted on most was the Apricot, and the cars i found easiest to do it in (with a pad) were the RUF yellowbird and the D1 RX7

But for learnin with a wheel id recomend a slightly tuned RX7 on N1s

 

[Wits]

Thanks Fastlap for the good read. I will go and try with my g27. Any suggestions on FF, steeringangle setting (not amount of steering itself) tyres and other settings to get startet in GT5P?

 

[Falango]

This is another reason why I want a wide open parking lot added as a location to drive at. It's the best way to learn how a car slides. It allows you to focus on where the limits are, which technique works best for you, and there's no obstacles to worry about, just the slide.

 

[E28]

^^^^
That would be great!

Hopefully for the TGTT the invisible walls are only for races to stop people cheating, and hopefully these will be gone in the online 'track days'!

 

[Falango]

Doubt the invisible walls would be different. Even so, there's enough tarmac to use there. The invisible walls should only be out on the grass. I'd hope so atleast. That way we can use the TGTT for all sorts of fun stuff!