does anyone here drift

[death]

my friend with a 240 drfts like crazy you guys should try it.

[Nacho169]

my friend w/ a 240 drifts too. He almost took out a cart corral day. It was pimp-tastical.

[DVSNCYNIKL]

I did it once. But it was a rather scary experience being the first time I did it. Looks nice though when executed properly.

[Morpheus XIII]

The first few times I drifted was back in '95 with an old 420SEL. It was a choice tool with its balding tires and glided flawlessly: 45 degrees to the straight, seamless exit.

Soon after, on one fateful attempt, I totalled the car. There was a another turn after the first one and the car was too heavy and too long to make a second attempt, so I ate the sidewalk and a cement pillar. I fed the local law enforcement a fib when they arrived so I wouldn't get nailed for 'exhibition of speed' and other various violations.

For the following years I was unfortunately forced to pilot a front-wheel driver (200SX, not that it was a bad car, as you SE-Rers know). Perhaps only ONCE out of 50 attempts did a make a nice full on side-window slide, but that was only because I was assisted by a rain-flooded street.

Of course, I wouldn't dare try it with any cars I don't own, so my buds have to enjoy drifting on their own. From all those I've been in, the S13 240SX seems to have the BEST balance simply because of its light weight and controlled torque, but the most interesting is with hefty 2-ton luxury cars, such as the S-class or LS400. It's highly nerve-wracking while strangely peaceful; the car seems as if it won't make it and you're going to lay a $50,000 auto to rest, but it does. PLUS due to their infamous smooth rides, they float like butterflies (without the africanized bee stings). I also hear that the Miata makes a nice drifter especially with its top down, but I have yet to experience Mazda's sensation.

Unfortunately, there aren't a whole lot of hot spots for this exclusive art in my area (L.A. streets are all about perpendicularity), but I do see roads with much drifting potential around the quieter suburban or even rural locations spanning California. I would be all smiles to see some more of you around. It's a shame the States are plagued with Honda front-wheel lovers. I detest most of this 'rice' scene and I find it difficult for society to take true enthusiasts seriously. With any luck, times will change and rear-drivers will reign once more.

[Dillweed]

HA Ha,

Of course, but not with a 240 SX. With a Stanza.

I've practiced ALOT and I'm particularily good on snow and gravel.
Wet pavement is not that hard and ashphalt is a little tricky but not that hard either.

Max I've done on: Snow: 95 mph
Gravel: 100 mph
Wet pavement: 80 mph
Dry pavement: 75 mph

Hope you guys are careful when you drift and it's always better to get someone to spot you so as not to kill anyone.

[gang$tarr]

drifting is just throwing the car into a slide right?

[Jay!]

Yeah, just watch any Nissan comercial. :hehehe: They like to do it on water. Mazda did some commercials drifting on what looked like salt flats.

[Dillweed]

Gang$$tar: Yeah "a powerslide" as some loosers call it. Drifting isn't JUST bringing your vehicle sideways. There is alot involved with the steering and pedal reflex. If you want to be in control of your drift. There's NOTHING like hitting S-Turns in 3 inches of snow at around 60 mph. It's beautifull. I have a few pics but I don't know how to post them.

SilverS2000: Yeah, wet pavement(on water). And they also have Nissans on the salt flats too if I'm not mistaken.(Think it's the Maxima)

Morph: I see your point about RWD cars, but actually, in most conditions you can perform better, faster drifts with FWD and even better with AWD.

[Morpheus XIII]

I see your point about RWD cars, but actually, in most conditions you can perform better, faster drifts with FWD and even better with AWD.

--Dillweed

I am beginning to think that you are referring to 'required' drifting, as opposed to the 'art' form which I was discussing.

Rally cars MUST drift in order to complete a turn in short time. Road going cars MUST NOT drift to do the same. The preferred drivetrain for rally cars is all wheel-drive, followed by the ever-debatable front or rear wheel-drives. On the dirt, some say that front drivers add control safety, due to their inability to excessively oversteer. Others take rear drivers over the fronts because tail-breaking is much more predictable and can easily be instigated.

In any case, this isn't what I am talking about.

There's NOTHING like hitting S-Turns in 3 inches of snow at around 60 mph.

--Dillweed

Street cars have no need to drift. Taking turns with the right line, at the proper speed, with gradual suspension loading, equates to the shortest times. Not only is drifting slower, but it causes unnecessary tire wear. Yet people do it.

Street drifting is more visual appeal than anything else--meaning it's an art. It's neither about snapping the car sideways and countersteering again and again, nor winding through rugged terrain. Drifting is about tranquility. It's about euphoria. Proper street drifting is accomplished using smooth entries, wide arcs, and jerkless exits. At times, debris (sand/gravel) is used to welcome painless breaks, and even wider angles. But not to a degree where the machine is tearing through like a rally car with a rooster tail trailing. Nearly all professional street drifters in Japan use rear wheel-drive. All wheel-drive provide too much traction and breaking free (and staying there) is virtually impossible. Front wheel-drivers require too much force to enter the drift (sharp turn of the wheel or prolonged side-brake usage).

Basically, a good drift is accomplished without the support of your seat's side bolsters.

Yeah, just watch any Nissan comercial.

--Silver S2000

Riveting aren't they? The cars may be drifting, but they are not drifting. Those commercials may be more closely related to the aftereffects of lateral g-force testing.

[Morpheus XIII]

I have a few pics but I don't know how to post them.

--Dillweed

To post pictures, click the "Browse" button on the "Attach file" part of the post reply screen.

[Dillweed]

Yes, you are absolutely right.

We weren't talking about the same thing. I was talking about maximum speed in extreme conditions. I am well aware about tarmac racing and cornering. I hate it when people think that because they drifted the pavement corner, they are the best, fastest drivers.

Very well stated Morph.

There is also much art to gravel and snow drifting because timing is crucial to not hitting the ditch and so forth. And I'm sure you appreciate the art in that.

[gang$tarr]

hey dillweed, where in canada are you?

[Morpheus XIII]

Originally posted by Dillweed
There is also much art to gravel and snow drifting because timing is crucial to not hitting the ditch and so forth. And I'm sure you appreciate the art in that.

Absolutely. They are both great in their own ways, and I don't even need to explain the popularity of the rough terrain drifting. Just take one look at the insane rally fans! The whooping and hollering just a few feet away from passing WRC cars shows that that type of driving is never underappreciated.

Perhaps this topic needs to be separated into multiple categories...

[Jay!]

Originally posted by morpheusxiii
Absolutely. They are both great in their own ways, and I don't even need to explain the popularity of the rough terrain drifting. Just take one look at the insane rally fans! The whooping and hollering just a few feet away from passing WRC cars shows that that type of driving is never underappreciated.

And you know these fans are getting showered with gravel and/or ice by every passing car! What a price to see art! (I'd do it )

Originally posted by morpheusxiii
Perhaps this topic needs to be separated into multiple categories...

That's what you're here for, Moderator!

[Morpheus XIII]

Originally posted by Silver S2000
And you know these fans are getting showered with gravel and/or ice by every passing car! What a price to see art! (I'd do it )

Hey, Silver S2000, you're in the area. Did you get a chance to check out Rim of the World Rally this year? I was planning to go, but a pre-planned trip to Vegas ruled that out. But I'll be sure to be there next year--dirt, sweat and all that good stuff. Hope to see you all there.

That's what you're here for, Moderator!

I'm still new to this! I'm learning, but I still seem to spend around 98% of the time posting regular stuff...