Super Fast Extreme Early Turn-In Drift

[Ran Kizama]

So yeah, I think I started using this technique after the last DG Private Day here in Atlanta. Especially during the dry part of the day. My little Miata, being the autocrosser that it is, tend to want to understeer a lot if I initialize at the corner itself like other drivers. Here's how it's been going:

Floor Into Leading Straight
Swing Wide (Weight Shift)
Turn-In Early (Initiate Slide)
Peg the Clipping Point
Continue to Slide
Car Slides Way Too Wide

The problem I've found with this technique is that by going in so fast and being sideways thru the apex, I find myself sliding much farther than I want and it makes the transfer for the next corner a little difficult. I usually have to combat this with a downshift/clutch kick but it still feels awkward. I know that there has to be a way to maintain more control with this technique.

Advice?

[DRIFTER-M]

Uhhh, I can't really tell from your post, because drifting is hard to explain in words, but you might want to try hitting the e-brake mid drift(near the clipping point) and turn in alittle to get more angle. This may help because it will help the car turn in faster and the front tires bring it around the corner quicker and not keep going the way you were sliding. I don't know if that will help, but it might be worth a try.

[Mike Peters]

add angle before you need to change where the car is giong, keep foot to floor.

or downshift keep foot to floor

or turn in slightly pull ebrake, then return foot to floor

theres like a million ways to do it dude lol

[Ran Kizama]

I'm already at as much angle as possible without spinning out when I enter the corner. I've downshifting, but it induced too much oversteer and it only made the situation worse. I'm going to try and slow it down a bit or maybe work on some throttle modulation. In either case, I refuse to use the e-brake.

[Mike Peters]

you refuse to use ebrake?

lol

[Ran Kizama]

you refuse to use ebrake?

lol

Yea. If I'm going to drift, I want it to be with steering and throttle control. The E-Brake is a crutch to me, something that needs to be used when you're not good enough with anything else. Say what you will, but I will not use the e-brake.

[Stannyboy]

have you ever used it?? have you mastered the e brake?? oh well try filming your self to see what is actually going on.. with your line.. sounds like your going too fast if your sliding too far from the clip.. maybe start earlier.

[D1 DRIFTER]

umm e brake is not a crutch... sorely mistaken and dont see it as for sumone who hasnt mastered anything else....... on the point now high entry speed with out a harder initiation will likely cause understeer, ur car is light weight without massive power so ur gonna have to keep it to the floor depending on what gear your entering the corner most likely down shift unless u have the speed to carry....... good luck with getting down thast the fun part of drifting is when u get it

[Mike Peters]

im not going to say im a fan of ebrake because that would be a huge lie, imho ebrake entry is *Censored**Censored**Censored*, ebrake clipping is *Censored**Censored**Censored*, but the ebrake does have its place, and is a very usefull tool when you know how to use it.

[CrazyHawaiian]

I agree E-brake initiation is queery but using the E-brake to extend the slide or correct the angle while sliding is extremely usefull. I've seen alot of really good guys use the E-brake this way, got alot of respect for that one.

To the original poster, I think the problem is either too much momentum through the apex or a bad line. I dont know what kind of turn this is but you might want to try some techniques to scrub off speed before hitting the apex or go a little wider on your line. So I'm not talkn initiation techniques, but instead techniches you use while already sliding to control speed/angle. Most people would say just enter the turn at a slower speed but for drifting I say screw that. Its gonna be cooler if you enter the turn at the same speed you are now, but then use the right techniques to scrub off some speed before apexing and/or change up your line. Things that come to mind, changing your initiation to change your line, using the footbrake to lock the wheels while sliding and scrub some speed (proportioning valve becomes important here), another could be the shift lock technique at the right time (which I love but hard on the trans) good way to control speed into a turn, and finally as these guys have said, the E-brake while sliding (but this is tricky because it also affects your angle).

[Ran Kizama]

I may try a shift lock into second but it'll take some practice. I get the feeling that if I try to brake mid-drift, then the car will straighten out and thus destroy the whole corner.

[Tuner]

2nd is too short in your car. If it's a track like AMS, stay in 3rd.

[Drift For Food]

Less throttle and less countersteer will give you more options. Realize you can control the drift with both the rear and front ends of the car. Try to drift with no/nearly no throttle. Work on steering control more. When you control the drift with both the steering and throttle(front and rear) of the car in a way that you're not maxing out either(full throttle or full lock), you get a lot more wiggle room to finely control the car. Essentially, you should be able to start and maintain a drift under throttle, under no-throttle, and under braking equally. With no throttle and braking, you'd of course just bleed off speed(but a good method when using high entry speeds).