i'm curious how long it took people to get good at drifting..

[Future_gohan]

I'm just curious, I've been drifting for about 6 months(like 1 event a month, sometimes 2), and I can link a track but I haven't done anything really serious as my whole setup was retarded the first bit.

So i'm curious how other people were when they first started or what are somethings you did wrong that you fixed?

I noticed when i was learning how to transition I always gave it too much power and spun out, I eventually learned how to counter that by slightly hitting the breaks before transitioning.

[pinkarrowsnow]

YouTube - Mike Vogt Drifting - GoPro HD Hero - Englishtown - Nissan 240sx

This was my first day. just steer with your feet ive progressed a ton in a season its really easy let the car drive its self and it makes everything really easy. The faster you go the easier it gets also.

[Brian]

I learned that the car will do most of the work for you. No need to try and steer it very much.

[chiboy002]

Originally Posted by Brian

I learned that the car will do most of the work for you. No need to try and steer it very much.

can't emphasize this enough

When i sucked more than now, i would try and steer where i wanted to go (and kinda look at where i didn't which causes you to go there lol) so i would keep spinning out/over steering. When i realized that the car will do most of the work, i learned to just catch the steering wheel and slightly tweak it mid drift. Small adjustments yield large changes when drifting

[shiftdrift]

well to be honest, my 2nd event at beaverun i was doing pretty good, since then i've been killing it in indiana haha.

[Thug Life]

Originally Posted by pinkarrowsnow

YouTube - Mike Vogt Drifting - GoPro HD Hero - Englishtown - Nissan 240sx

This was my first day. just steer with your feet ive progressed a ton in a season its really easy let the car drive its self and it makes everything really easy. The faster you go the easier it gets also.

hella good song choice.

[TwItCh]

depends what situation alot of us are running fairly stock cars nut if you have the power it is easier to sum

took me not as ong as i thought just have to get ur own style on lock

[brndck]

Originally Posted by Brian

I learned that the stickers on the car will do most of the work for you. No need to try and steer it very much.

some people get it right away and some take longer.
depends on personality type. i've met people who had massive cojones who were willing to take risks and they learned very rapidly. others who aren't so brazen have a different learning curve.

a lot of it depends on how much track time you get.

[Brian]

Good stickers DO help.

[GSXRJJordan]

A lifetime!

I haven't had the same setup long enough to get what I would call "good", but I do alright. I've worked with a lot of different people (Pro-am to competitive FD drivers) and notice that it takes at least a year of solid tandem experience to compete well. I see tons of people that lay down good qualifying (solo) laps but can't tandem for shit.

This is why I'm such a huge proponent of Pro-Am! If you want to get out there and get good, you've got to go up against other people that are good! It'll also teach you a whole lot about how to build and maintain a car ~ reading forums you'd think everyone needs 400hp LSx's to be competitive, but you'll see some guys KILLING it in comps with simple 250hp SR or KA-T setups.

[franklin93zx]

After watching this I was unstoppable

[udon!]

God danm rice burners and their skid racin'

[Zenki_Kouki.5]

Hahahaa! Practice and a fuck load of cash lol

[Nick_04K]

Just three short rainy days of parking lot drifting haha.

Big joke there. 16 years old+ no local track..or any track for three hours of drive time= giving up on being "good at drifting" haha. At least for several years.

[XxCAPTAINxX]

just get as much driving time as possible and try talk to people who are good
(in person) for tips. alot of guys where im from helped me out get the techniques down.

P.S. watch tokyo drift and initial D over and over and you will pretty much be a pro.

[chiboy002]

Originally Posted by Brian

Good stickers DO help.

specifically ones that cover large portions of your viewing glass
on a serious note, really just invest in a decent (safe) bucket seat [you dont need one to learn but it helps not have to worry about flopping like a rag doll] and a BUNCH of used tires (take em from dumpsters or buy them, idc)

get as much seat time as possible

[dynamicck]

Originally Posted by pinkarrowsnow

YouTube - Mike Vogt Drifting - GoPro HD Hero - Englishtown - Nissan 240sx

This was my first day. just steer with your feet ive progressed a ton in a season its really easy let the car drive its self and it makes everything really easy. The faster you go the easier it gets also.

Is Tim Humphrey's your friend? I've seen that self filmed mammoth video a buncha times. That dude is sick.

[OBEEWON]

Watching video of yourself helps a lot. Just like watching tape of basketball games before practice.

Also ride alongs.

[sincity_sil80]

Originally Posted by franklin93zx

After watching this I was unstoppable

i think this guy is on to something!! gonna go hone my skills right now

[fliprayzin240sx]

Took me about 10 events to get the real hang of it. Plus having a car that has balls helped me. People who were teaching me told me my car covers up alot of my mistake when I started learning.

[kalypso123]

Originally Posted by Brian

Good stickers DO help.

lol

{msg}

[ManoNegra]

I've never tried it
but I know I'm awesome
'cause I read Zilvia every day.

[tricky_ab]

Originally Posted by chiboy002

specifically ones that cover large portions of your viewing glass
on a serious note, really just invest in a decent (safe) bucket seat [you dont need one to learn but it helps not have to worry about flopping like a rag doll] and a BUNCH of used tires (take em from dumpsters or buy them, idc)

get as much seat time as possible

THIS! It comes down to practice, practice, PRACTICE! I know it's a old saying but it's thetruth. Oh and don't take an AI approach to it.

[ericcastro]

It took me about 36 minutes or so.

[Waylayer]

Practice drifting in exotic car lots. You will notice how fast you learn when something expensive is in the way.


Please don't do that. Everyone learns at a differant pace. Just remeber that even a simple mod like a swaybar or new tires will make you have to relearn your whole car.

[NismoTuner21]

I've been drifting since March '10 and I think I do pretty well. I started out in my POS FC until I finished my Z32. I really need a cage because it's holding me back from progressing since I can't do most big events or tandem. At the last big practice event at PBIR I did do a 90mph entry though, that was awesome.

[ZX88]

hooksliders.

[Brian]

oh yeah, as far as mods that will really help you learn, do these 3 things first.


2 way LSD. - it's amazing how smooth the car slides once you get one.

Bucket seat - I tried drifting a s13 with a stock seat one day. wow, what a hassle. a bucket seat will hold you in place and you wn't even move around and have that to worry about.

Coilovers - The car is going to be lower and stiffer. These will help you slide it real nice.

[fckillerbee]

setup is the major thing when learning....if your car isn't set up right...you are learning wrong. PERIOD.

Have someone go through your car...and set it up. Then go out and learn. I can't stress this enough.


And once you have a good setup.....filming yourself helps wonders. It'll tell you how late you are....and how much more input is needed.


I also learned in a 250whp FC with no knuckles.....took 2 days. Was also the first time I drove a RWD car...lol fml.

[ericcastro]

Originally Posted by Brian

oh yeah, as far as mods that will really help you learn, do these 3 things first.


2 way LSD. - it's amazing how smooth the car slides once you get one.

Bucket seat - I tried drifting a s13 with a stock seat one day. wow, what a hassle. a bucket seat will hold you in place and you wn't even move around and have that to worry about.

Coilovers - The car is going to be lower and stiffer. These will help you slide it real nice.

BH is right.
I was making no money when i started.
So I did the cheap version of these things.

Welded diff (also had/have sohc, so it helps with the low HP imo)

I still have a 4 point hooked up to my stock seat. I dont move much in it. Knock off seat would be better though

I had a used set of shocks and springs i ran for 3 years. cost me like $300.




As far as set up.........???
I just run regular street alignment.
IMO, people will go way over the top with all the technical shit.
Just drive the fuckin car.
Do as BH says.
He is spot on.