Drift Techniques

How does it work?

The driver uses the right foot's toe to brake while rotating the heel to 'blip' the throttle, matching engine RPMs during downshift. This prevents rear wheel lockup.

When to use it?

At corner entry where you need to reduce speed and gear simultaneously. Essential for maintaining car balance in high-speed corners.

How does it work?

Entering the corner, the driver pulls the handbrake while holding the release button. This locks rear wheels causing immediate sliding.

When to use it?

In tight hairpin corners where you need to rotate the car quickly. Very useful for beginners or emergency situations.

How does it work?

Press clutch, remove current gear, release clutch in neutral while throttling ('blip'), press clutch again, engage new gear, release clutch.

When to use it?

In old cars with unsynchronized or worn gearboxes. Also helps prolong transmission life in intensive use.

How does it work?

Accelerate towards corner, brake hard to load front wheels, turn steering wheel while rears are light, apply throttle to maintain drift.

When to use it?

Medium to high-speed corners. It's the most common and versatile technique to initiate a drift. Works on almost any FR car.

How does it work?

With left foot on brake and right on throttle, you can modulate both simultaneously. This allows instant car balance adjustments without losing acceleration.

When to use it?

In all-wheel drive (4WD) cars to keep turbo pressure up. Also useful in high-speed corners where you need constant micro-adjustments of balance.

How does it work?

The driver releases throttle abruptly while turning the steering wheel, using engine deceleration and weight transfer to break rear traction. No brakes are used.

When to use it?

In high-speed corners where braking would mean losing precious time. Requires perfect track knowledge and exact timing.

How does it work?

When braking, weight transfers forward loading front wheels and lightening rears. Accelerating does the opposite. When turning, weight moves to the outside of the corner.

When to use it?

Constantly. Every expert driver uses weight transfer to maximize available traction and control car behavior in every corner phase.

How does it work?

The 4WD system distributes power to all four wheels. The driver uses that distribution to make all wheels slide in a controlled manner, maintaining perfect direction.

When to use it?

Exclusive to 4WD cars. Allows maintaining maximum speed in corners while sliding. Advantage over FR cars in high-speed corners.

How does it work?

Rally drivers adapt dirt techniques for asphalt. Includes quick reverse steering, both-feet braking, and aggressive use of weight transfer.

When to use it?

Useful in adverse conditions (rain, gravel) or when driving a 4WD car on touge. Bunta demonstrated these techniques several times.

How does it work?

The driver perfectly memorizes every corner. At the precise moment, overtakes on the inside even though they can't see the exit, trusting their line knowledge.

When to use it?

Only when you know the track perfectly. Takumi used it on Akina where he knew every stone from years of tofu deliveries.

How does it work?

Joshima keeps one hand on the wheel while the other is constantly active on the gear lever, handbrake and other controls for micro-adjustments.

When to use it?

Requires years of experience and unique personal style. Only Joshima can do it consistently. Not recommended for normal drivers.

How does it work?

At high speed, any sudden movement causes spin. The driver must be smooth but precise, using micro-adjustments of wheel and throttle to maintain angle.

When to use it?

In fast corners where entry speed is crucial. Takumi perfected it on Akina's high-speed corners.

How does it work?

Entering the corner, the driver deliberately drops right wheels into the drainage gutter. The gutter acts as a rail, allowing more aggressive and tighter entry.

When to use it?

Only in specific corners with deep, clean gutters. Requires perfect road knowledge. Takumi used it on Akina to surprise the Takahashis.

How does it work?

Exiting the corner, the driver directs wheels into the outer gutter. The edge acts as a catapult, launching the car towards the straight with additional acceleration.

When to use it?

At corner exits with deep gutter and long straight after. Allows crucial acceleration advantage over opponent.