Drifting

Mechanical:
Engine power doesn’t need to be high and actually too much power only makes the vehicle harder to control. Tuning of the engine should be done to produce a linear response as opposed to tuning for maximum power. On professional drift cars, the gearbox and engine mounts are replaced with urethane or aluminum mounts to better control the engine under extreme conditions. The most important mechanical modification is the limited slip differential. An open or viscous differential in a sustained slide won’t produce the most efficient results. An upgraded cooling system is a must since there is less airflow through the radiator and the engine produces more heat under these extreme conditions.

Suspension:
The suspension selection includes a very high spring and damper rate. The caster and camber settings are very important. The caster is increased and a positive camber is not desired. The sway bars are usually upgraded. A rear sway bar upgrade is most important. Drivers can easily burn through tires. It’s recommended that better tires are used in the front and hard compound tires are used in the rear. Rear wheel drive vehicles are mainly used for this sport.

Cockpit:
The steering wheel should be perfectly round to allow the driver better control. A custom steering rack or spacers on the steering rack increase the steering angle. Bucket seats should be installed with a harness to help the driver brace during the slide. Additional gauges are mounted in the cockpit and monitored closely for adrenaline (only kidding but wouldn’t that be nice), boost, intake, coolant temperatures, and oil pressure.

• Arizona: Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Arizona & Phoenix International Raceway

• California: Willow Springs International Raceway (Balcony in Rosamond, California), Willow Springs (Horse Thief Mile in Rosamond, California), Toyota Speedway at Irwindale

• Colorado: Drift Colorado & ; Colorado National Speedway in Dacono, Colorado, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, IMI Motorsports Complex in Dacono, Colorado, Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colorado

• Florida: Florida Central Racing Complex in Orlando, FL & Palm Beach International Raceway

• Georgia: Road Atlanta

• Illinois: Rockford Speedway & Toyota Park

• Indiana: Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Indiana & Sportsdrome Speedway in Clarksville, Indiana

• Michigan: Auto City Speedway

• Nevada: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

• New Jersey: Wall Stadium Speedway

• New Mexico: Sandia Motorsports Park

• New York: Lebanon Valley Dragway

• North Carolina: Z Max Raceway in Charlotte

• Ohio: Kil-Kare Speedway in Xenia, Ohio, Lake County Speedway in Cleveland, Ohio & Midvale Speedway

• Oregon: Oregon Raceway Park in Grass Valley, OR & Pats Acres Racing Complex in Canby, OR

• South Carolina: Myrtle Beach Speedway & DriftBasic 3D Motorsports

• Tennessee: Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennessee

• Utah: Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah

• Virginia: Koss Motor Sports; Virginia International Raceway

• Washington: Evergreen Speedway

• West Virgina: Summit Point Raceway

• Wisconsin: USA International Raceway in Shawano, Wisconsin

YouTube Drift Videos:
We’ve put together a collection of awesome drifting videos from YouTube. Whether you love drifting a car or a motorcycle, these videos will surely entertain. After watching these videos, which would you rather drift? Learn from the Drift King Keiichi Tsuchiya, check out the Red Bull and GoPro drift cars, view Mad Mike’s Souped Up Drifting Car, Pikes Peak 2011 Monster Tajima’s World Record, numerous drift events and more!