can a FWD drift

[Lownslow]

is it even called drifting or is just power slidding its kinda important trying to settle a argument

[LVApex]

Its actually pretty easy to get a FWD car to oversteer on corner entry. Problem is once you start accelerating in that turn (past the apex) the rear end will settle down (stop oversteering). So, if you wanted to maintain that corner entry oversteer past the apex, you need to some how reduce traction at the rear end.... and that typically means pulling and holding the E-brake through the later half of the turn.

Is this "drifting"? Well, from the outside it sure looks like drifting, but most drift elitest tend to say it isnt. But really your talking simantics at that point. The car is oversteering througout the turn. the technique may be different to get it to do so, but the end result is the same.

[doberman_52]

Yes. Turn away from corner, then into the corner to get weight transfer, then hit the e-brake to get the rear end to step out, and counter steer as needed. And as LVApex said, most drifters will say its not drifting. Its very controversial, but is completely up to that person. I used to do it a lot in my Buick, not so much anymore though. Its just harder to get a front wheel drive to drift. And you may want to stay off the gas if you do too, I always had problems if I was on the gas during a drift, I would lose traction in the front if I was. Just comes with practice, especially if you have a foot e-brake instead of a hand e-brake.

[drunken monkey]

Originally Posted by doberman_52

Yes. Turn away from corner, then into the corner to get weight transfer, then hit the e-brake to get the rear end to step out, and counter steer as needed.

wow, straight out of a GranTurismo playing guide?

Originally Posted by doberman_52

especially if you have a foot e-brake instead of a hand e-brake.

what?


the first thing you need to answer before tackling the minefield of FWD car drifting is to define what a "drift" is.
If you are talking about maintaining forward movement whilst whilst the tyres' grip has been breached in a controlled manner, usually involving a corner/turn, then yes. All cars can be made to "drift".
It's not a "power slide" as the RWD drivers do it (that being power overcoming grip of rears that cause the car to slide) but it is still oversteer (perhaps a better description than "drift" or "slide")

[MR2_Lancer]

On the mischief movies, (I think mischief 3000 or invasion) they are at a drift event, and it shows a civic pulling a beautiful drift off.

The only way i see it happening, is losing the back end, then yankin the e brake, and flooring it. Thats exactly what it looks like he does.

[doberman_52]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

wow, straight out of a GranTurismo playing guide?

Not out af grand turismo, ive only played gt2 a few years ago, never played they newer ones. It's just what I've been told to do, and what I've done.

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

what?

I have a foot e-brake in my car, harder to use that in my car but I do just fine. My old car had a hand e-brake, and I've driven friends cars with a hand e-brake. I'd rather have the hand e-brake.

Originally Posted by MR2_Lancer

The only way i see it happening, is losing the back end, then yankin the e brake, and flooring it. Thats exactly what it looks like he does.

When I've floored it, I have lost control doing that more than keeping off the gas. If you break the front tires loose, you will lose traction easire, causing you to mess up. But thats in my expieriences though. And I used to do it a lot, until a friend got introuble with the cops one nite.

[LVApex]

Heavy left foot brakeing would accomplish the same thing as pulling the E-brake, and would be easier to control... given that you get to then play the throttle off the brakes to balance the car mid turn.

[MR2_Lancer]

Left foot braking would not be the same in a FWD car as a RWD car. A majority of cars that havent toyed with the brake balance, brake more on the front brakes. So while a RWD car is drifting, the front brakes are doing the braking, allowing the rear wheels to spin easier. But a FWD car, thats also braking in the front, would only slow the tires down.

[doberman_52]

Do not left foot brake, dont touch the regular brakes in a drift. Hitting the brakes in a FWD car will stop the drift and slow the car down more than you would want. Basically, no gas and no brake, just e-brake.

[drunken monkey]

are you guys talking about just throwing a car around until it slides or getting a car to oversteer and maybe do a little drift to go as fast as possible?

[LVApex]

Originally Posted by MR2_Lancer

Left foot braking would not be the same in a FWD car as a RWD car. A majority of cars that havent toyed with the brake balance, brake more on the front brakes. So while a RWD car is drifting, the front brakes are doing the braking, allowing the rear wheels to spin easier. But a FWD car, thats also braking in the front, would only slow the tires down.

In this instance Left foot brakeing would be use in conjunction with the throttle.... So, the engine would be over powering the front brakes, more or less negating them. where as the rear would still have brakes applied (and thus continue to have less traction then the front). The end result would be pretty much the same as if you'd have pulled the E-brake, except now you get to keep 2 hands on the wheels and you can better fine tune the cars attitude in the turn.

[MR2_Lancer]

Trust me. Its not that easy... In the end, the brakes will over power the motor, unless you have serious motor work, and stock brakes. And I dont think ive ever seen pro drifters with 2 hands on the wheel...

[doberman_52]

I never have both hands on the wheel while drifting. One on my brake release w/ foot on e-brake pedal, and the other on the wheel. And I wont use my brakes or gas, if your giving it gas and your putting out to much power, get off the gas. I have problems if im on the gas in a drift, I never touch the gas till the end when I'm coming out of the drift to pick up speed again.

[KamilMk]

I think an argument about if a FWD car is drifting or powersliding would never reach any final verdict.
Just something that has been argued for so long, and we still can't come to a conclusion.
When it comes down to what I think, I think the only true 'drift' is from a RWD drivetrain, not a AWD or FWD, those are listed as powersliding on my list...
But hey, don't go all psycho crazy on me for saying that, it's just my own theory, not telling or asking anyone to think the same.

[doberman_52]

Originally Posted by KiillaKam

I think an argument about if a FWD car is drifting or powersliding would never reach any final verdict.
Just something that has been argued for so long, and we still can't come to a conclusion.
When it comes down to what I think, I think the only true 'drift' is from a RWD drivetrain, not a AWD or FWD, those are listed as powersliding on my list...
But hey, don't go all psycho crazy on me for saying that, it's just my own theory, not telling or asking anyone to think the same.

I look at RWd and AWD as powersliding while drifting. You can't powerslide in FWD. So I'm not to sure about where your going there.