Many motorists prefer a driving style such as drift. As the popularity of this type increased, many leading automakers began to develop models of drift cars, specially designed for spectacular drifts. The number of drift fans is increasing exponentially: the driving style attracts both spectators and pilots, which, however, is not surprising: the effectiveness of the drift as such is not based on the technical characteristics of the car, respectively, it is the most affordable type of motorsport.
Key Features
A drift car must have certain characteristics that would allow its pilot to effectively perform driving elements. The main qualities for which cars are selected are listed below.
Rear drive
The main characteristic of a professional drift car is the presence of all -wheel drive. However, all-wheel drive cars can also be used to perform this technique, but front-wheel cars are not suitable for skidding, although if the pilot has some experience and with skillful use of the hand brake, such models can also take part in races.
Engine power
Good drift of the car in the drift technique is ensured by deliberate disruption of the drive axle, which explains the increased requirements for engine power. The higher this indicator, the easier it is to let the car drift into a skid.
Light body weight
Successful completion of the technique depends on the light weight of the vehicle. The decrease in body weight negatively affects its strength. To compensate for this, the cabin is equipped with a frame of six safety racks to ensure the protection of pilots in the event of an accident.
Wheel lock
It is impossible to perform a spectacular skid without the vehicle having a rear axle lock function.
Low ground clearance
A small clearance increases the stability of the car during a skid. The suspension that the drift machine is equipped with must be stiff enough. The optimal weight distribution on the axles in a percentage ratio is about 40% to 60%.
Preparing a car for drift is an important process, which includes not only the selection of the optimal car model, but also the introduction of changes to the design of the vehicle. Many automakers produce cars designed specifically for this sport and possessing the necessary technical characteristics.
Cheap and cheerful
VAZ cars for drift - an affordable and cheap classic of this sport with the necessary type of drive. However, despite the observance of all necessary requirements, this option is too commonplace, and many models of the domestic automobile industry require serious improvements for the effective implementation of the technique. Accordingly, drift on Russian cars requires a fairly large investment and lengthy preparation.
Cars from the Land of the Rising Sun
One of the best drift cars is Japanese cars with an authentic steering wheel position.
A variety of Toyota Altezza, similar brands and models are ideal for drifting. The right-hand drive arrangement is somewhat confusing, but the advantages of such cars are the presence of rear-wheel drive, acceptable engine quality and affordable cost.
However, in practice, all the shortcomings of such cars are revealed: more than half of such vehicles cannot be registered in Moscow and St. Petersburg, not to mention other cities in Russia. The same models that can be registered will cost a large amount to their owners. Often, powerful versions of cars wear out quickly, because the drift control is appropriate, and the load on the engine and suspension is huge. It is not enough to install a contract engine instead of a failed engine, because, in addition to the power unit itself, other expensive parts fail.
American classic
Muscle cars are one of the most popular and powerful cars, which are quite popular and are considered the best drift cars. They have all the necessary qualities: powerful and indestructible engines, rear-wheel drive, excellent image, being at the same time a pipe dream of many motorists, because it is expensive and extremely difficult to get. The maintenance of such a vehicle costs a lot and a lot of problems.
In this case, when choosing a car for drifting, it remains to look at European brands and models.
Trusted Bavarians
For many years, BMW has been supplying the automobile market with old cars with powerful engines and rear-wheel drive at an affordable price. Suitable drift cars are the third series in the back of the E30.
The model is quite light, but not particularly durable, but many drifters weld the frame into it. When buying cars in the secondary market, bodywork is mandatory, since many models have traces of corrosion.
BMW E30 is a car with a sporty design, which is often equipped with powerful engines, which, accordingly, leads after active operation to failure of not only power units, but also other components. Given the low cost of the model and its availability, it is not the most suitable car for drifting, because it often requires replacing the motor and other elements.
The E36 is a more modern and powerful model, but it does not differ much from the E30: similar problems with body corrosion and low strength, the engine range is mainly represented by in-line fours - it is extremely difficult to find a car with an installed six. The cost of such cars for all-weather, including winter drift, is much higher. Given the image of a sports car and reasonable prices, it is almost impossible to purchase a high-quality and unbroken car in the secondary market.
The fifth BMW series is much better: the same E34 model is affordable, it was produced in a large number of copies, respectively, you can buy a car that is really well serviced. Of course, such a "blank" drift car is more expensive, and the body is heavier than the third generation of the same brand. However, the engine lineup is represented by more powerful power units. This increases the chances of using the model as a car for winter drift. It is advisable to check in advance whether it is possible to register the car after purchase.
Four-wheel drive for drift
Recently, all-wheel drive Subaru WRX Impreza and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution are often found at championships. For sports modifications, certain features are characteristic: an easy suspension travel achieved through the use of ball bearings for mounting levers and reinforced body seams. All generations of Evolution were equipped with engines with more than 250 horsepower.
A good all-wheel drive car for drifting is the Subaru WRX Impreza. The machine is equipped with a turbocharged engine with a five- and six-speed manual transmission. The only drawback of this model is the automatic distribution of traction between the axles in the event of rear wheel slippage, which is not entirely optimal for a drift machine.
Despite the fact that in this sport the main preference is given to Japanese cars, more and more often you can find American and European brands - Ford, BMW, Mustang, Viper. Motorists pay a lot of attention not only to the engine power of the car and its body, but also to the type of rubber selected for drift.
Professional pilots use several basic drift techniques in drift, which allow them to perform spectacular elements in this sport.
Basic drift techniques
This type of motorsport is primarily distinguished by the aesthetic and skillful handling of the pilot with the car during a controlled drift and the effect that this drift has on the audience and others. Most of the techniques covered in the popular video clip Drift Bible, which is considered a classic manual for the development of this sport.
Professional pilots resort to several basic tricks during performances.
Skidding
In such a drift, the rear of the car during movement resembles the slow oscillations of the pendulum from side to side.
Mud drift
The rear wheels of the car at the entrance to the turn to maintain sliding without changing the speed break down on the side of the road, covered with dirt.
Braking drift
Before the car enters the turn, braking is performed, due to which part of the weight of the car is transferred to the front axle. Because of this, the car partially loses traction with the roadway. The result is a skid that is balanced by depressing the gas pedal and turning the steering wheel.
Long glide
Running at maximum speed. The pilot works with a hand brake, which allows for a long stretch of sliding at a large angle on a straight line. At the end, you enter the turn.
Excess power
This drift technique is used only by high power cars. When the gas pedal is fully depressed while entering the turn, a controlled skid occurs. The technique is considered fundamental and is often practiced by ordinary drivers, not suspecting that they performed one of the drift techniques.
Finally
An excellent alternative to circuit racing as a sport is drift, due to the relatively low cost of vehicles. This sport is considered street and free, because the first places in it are given not to those riders who were the first to finish, but to those who perform more spectacular and original techniques. However, the beauty and effectiveness of drifting largely depends on the car on which the elements are running, and therefore it is necessary to choose the right vehicle.
First of all, motorists pay attention to the weight of the car, engine power, type of drive and transmission. Many popular models and brands of cars of the old generations are affordable and are often modified by pilots who customize them to the required characteristics to be able to perform drift techniques. High-quality and effective performance of elements in this sport directly depends on the selected car. Today, secondary markets offer a wide range of cars of different price categories, most of which are ideal for drifting.