Drifting is a crazy experience. This wild motor sport is said to be originated from Japan. It is said to be inspired by techniques of young Japanese racer of 1970’s. In order to maintain speed in the corners, he resorted to excessive over steering, thereby leading to drifting or rear portion of the car sliding out. If you have even slightest of the knowledge about circuit racing, then you surely know that neither under-steering nor over-steering is recommended in racing, but this Japanese driver went out of these thoughts and his slippery, corner-exiting driving, wild techniques became a trademark of his and inspired what we today called as “Drifting”.
Popularity of drifting spread worldwide within no time. It was a treat to eyes to watch somebody drifting his car. World of drifting comprises of various people like enthusiasts, professionals, semi-professionals and also one-timers. Reckless driving, loud revving engines, noise from screeching tires etc. became inseparable part of drifting. With increasing popularity, drifters began looking for space where they can practice this skilled technique. Quite hillside roads became their perfect practice grounds, where they used to spend hours and hours practicing their stunts. However, due to massive crackdown by police they had to go back to racing circuits.
If you have a love for this motor sport and want to get in it then the first thing that you will require is a good racing car. There are many cars, but you have to choose one which has got specifications that enables a car to drift. The cars should have manual transmission and also a rear wheel drive. Try to make it cheap because when you are into drifting, your vehicle will collide, meet accidents and will crash and thus, you should not develop love with your vehicle. You have to get familiar with crashing when you are in this sport. You have to put in lot of effort to improve your drifting skills.
Modifications are required in almost every car if you want to excel in this sport. Your car may drift well without modification but chances are rare. Moreover, these are not suitable for drifting competitions. LSD or limited slip differential is a vital part of your drifting car. Most of cars come with pre-installed LSD; however there are some which requires them additionally. Open and viscous LSD should be avoided as they sometimes inhibit control of slide. “Clutch-type” is the most popular type of LSD.
Clutch is another important constituent of drift cars. Some people buy cheap clutches which do not perform well and they had to be replaced time and again. Ceramic brass button clutches are latest addition in this category and provide the necessary grip to the driver, thereby helping the driver to achieve a perfect drift. These are also able to withstand high temperature and clutch-kick technique used in drifting.
It is said that in drifting, your life rest on tires and it is well-said. The location of drifting and level of drifting are two important parameters which you should consider before buying tires for your car. Usually competition organizers approve only certain agents to sell tires. The tires at the front and rear are generally different, with good ones in the front. Tires need to be replaced after every race, thus many people go for pre-owned or discounted tires.
People say that drift cars are not at all pretty. But the fact it, that every car in this sport gets beaten up and there is absolutely no chance of a car being hit-free for a long time. Nevertheless, the amount of fun, thrill and excitement that drifting involves can be hardly matched by any other sport.