Should TRUCKS be allowed to drift?

[Ris4drift]

The day we start saying you can't do this or that for no other reason than it's "not normal" then we lost what drifting is about: Freedom from the strict rules and regulations of traditional motorsports, freedom for this sport to grow and attract an audience that typically dosen't care about racing.

i would make that my sig. but its too long

[malcolm]

Circle Track (aka Dirt Track) is not drifting. They're racing, we're drifting.

according to whose definition? Dirt oval racers may not be "show" drifting, but they are drifting, much like rally drivers drift, etc, according to the popular definition on here. Then again, the popular definition EVERYWHERE else in motorsports is that a drift is a shallow angle slide where all four wheels are slipping equally, and is a condition that is neither understeer or oversteer. According to that definition, which has been around longer than you've been alive, you aren't drifting; you are sliding.

[Whisky]

according to whose definition? Dirt oval racers may not be "show" drifting, but they are drifting, much like rally drivers drift, etc, according to the popular definition on here. Then again, the popular definition EVERYWHERE else in motorsports is that a drift is a shallow angle slide where all four wheels are slipping equally, and is a condition that is neither understeer or oversteer. According to that definition, which has been around longer than you've been alive, you aren't drifting; you are sliding.

Some people seem to confuse the racing term "drift" with D1 type drifting. A true racing drift, where slip angle is shallow and equal (or nearly so), is believed by most authorities to be the fastest way thru a turn. Part of this is because tires actually grip more when very slightly sliding.

Malcolm is precisely right, however he is arguing a matter of semantics. The drifting we are talking about here is a different sport that borrowed its name from genuine racing vernacular. As such, it is fundamentally different from dirt oval racing because drifting is specifically NOT racing.

Dirt oval drivers may be sideways, but they are still racing, and the slide is just a method of getting the car around the track quickly (one of the very few times a high-andle slide is faster). The objective is to pass the other cars and cross the line first. Skill is measured by track position and lap times. They are not competing to see who can get the car more sideways, for longer, at higher speeds and with more style than the other drivers. They are also only turning left .

This is the same thing I tell people when they call Initial D drifting. A) its a cartoon, and B) its racing, NOT drifting.

Regarding trucks and other American cars, if you can drift it then its cool, as far as I'm concerned. I understand Craig thinks himself a purist and only Japanese cars should drift, but even the Japanese who brought D1 to the US want to see American cars. Tell me, is it "ok" for Falken to drift a FF Honda? Where do you draw the line? Drifting is about the drift, not the car, and if you are trying to preserve what drifting was 3 years ago then too bad. Change happens, go with the flow or go away. D1 isn't in the US just so they can show us this neat little thing they do, its here so they can make more money. The best way to make more money is to get the Big 3 involved. It looks like they have succeeded for the 2005 season.

I also agree with what someone said eariler, that most of the anti-american car sentiment comes from posers, not real drifters. Show up to a drift event and ask us all what we think of trucks or american cars drifting, and you'll get an overwhelmingly positive response.

[craiglieberman]

Well damn Graig, if you want to be that JDM tight, why dont you spend more time in Japan? It just seems unrealistic to live in America and hope not to see any American cars anywhere.

Every time I go drifting I see stuff I wouldn't normally see. Thats the allure of drifting for me. Its different, its a rush, and its alot of fun. I'm not stuck on the drifting "image" because thats what "posers" do. I dont care what car anyone is driving, nor do I care how it looks. What matters is the drift.

You guys have some fantastic points...I totally understand where you're coming from.

Again, I know I'm living in a dream world....but I do indeed wish that there were classes for JUST the Japanese cars, and then JUST the American cars, with perhaps 1 rookie and 1 pro class intermingled.

I also agree that FF cars are not desirable (at least to me) in the drift world, but I suppose that I wouldn't object too much if it were Japanese.

Its' not that I hate American cars, just that I'm tired of seeing them and I'm very much a "want what I can't have" kinda person.

These are just my personal beliefs and I knew this opinion was not shared by the masses, but I posted anyway.

I'm thankful that so many of you are posting your views to the contrary...gives me a better sense of the popularity of America's top FR platforms in this new sport.

[Sirkus KA24DET]

why the hell not?

I've gotten a LOT of flack for building a drift truck.. "why?".. "is this 'cause you're white?" and the ever so popular "what about a 240 or AE?"... ugh.. I HAD a '91 MR2 that I LOVED canyon carving and bringing the arse around so I'd just barely kiss a guard-rail... besides sex, nothing compared.. and even sex came in at a close second.. I'll admit I caught the import bug when it hit big about 10 years or so ago when I bought the car.. since then I've seen medicore Civics reving against '01 Cobras and subsequently having their *Censored**Censored**Censored* handed to them all because they got all hyped up over that god-forsaken abortion to the "import scene" The Fast and the Furious... okay, whatever.. make a mountain out of a molehill, I'm happy for ya... but nine times outta ten you see a bone-stock faded white '95 sentra with 3 hub-cap spinners and a GIANT touring wing (yeah, you need MORE downforce in the rear of your FWD car).. hence the MR2 has been sold because some stupid part of me thought "my hobby has been soiled.. now I'm lumped in with Mr.'95 Sentra over here".. I've loved drifting before drifting became the "now" thing.. I've seen domestics, imports, those odd nissans and chevys you can't get in North America seen with those green and white front BC plates... we all met up on the weekend and tried killing ourselves as fast as possible and taking as few bystanders out with us as possible... it's about fun.. whatever you drive.. I'm not gonna let some *Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored**Censored* *Censored* who drools over ANOTHER american AE86 conversion going around cones spoil something I love to do..and with that love came an experiment.. '02 Nissan Frontier.. I've got the head and intake manifold for an S14 and some SS headers with a T25 turbo just waiting to be bolted on once I get the electronics... yeah, for the money I could've gotten an old early 90's 240sx and bought yet ANOTHER Sil'Eighty conversion kit, slap some stickers on it and look cool sitting in the parking lot.. sorry, that's not my thing.. once I get this biatch rolling, I plan to take to the downhills of SD and knock some Civics onto their asses.. I'm actually giddy over trying out different weight combinations to get the arse around a little easier.. I smile thinking about it... and hopefully by the time I'm done there will be some boys 'n girls with Tacomas, Rangers, S10s, and some old Harbody's already paving the way.. the fact that there's ANY negativity to what ANYone proposes as "new" in ANY motorsport is just friggin' *Censored**Censored**Censored*.. no offense, *Censored**Censored**Censored* people.. new things are what got drifting and like-sported events in the magazines and videos you like in the first place... aim your anger toward the people who pose and have no business drifting out there.. you know who you are.. it's good to be a spectator, but worse to be a specposer..you're gonna get yourself AND others hurt.. practice in a rain-soaked parking lot a few more years, and lay off the e-brake

thank you... hehe
sorry for the length and anger

[malcolm]

...however he is arguing a matter of semantics. The drifting we are talking about here is a different sport that borrowed its name from genuine racing vernacular.

exactly. however, the two are VERY similar. The only distinguishing feature is that one is during a timed event, whereas the other is for fun/show. However, considering speed is a judged element of drifting, and there is a set distance in which the judging can take place, then in an indirect way, the sport of drifting is actually timed as well. Aside from all that, nothing changes the level of skill required in one compared to the other.

Now, going back to what Craftsman said.... IT WAS A JOKE. Come on people. I said what I said to show that you can use differing opinions and vague definitions to change the entire scope of the argument. CrazyHawaiian used his definition to try to make Craftsman's joke invalid. I used my definition to try to make CrazyHawaiian's rebuttal invalid. Neither succeeded, for obvious reasons (for one, your entire audience must follow the same definitions as you).

Next time you see a joke, laugh at it, or ignore it. Don't argue with it. It just sounds stupid, even if you are correct.

[DRIFTER-M]

Beside the couple truck conversions on the 180sx, r32, and so on NO. Most trucks are to bulky and big, etc. Plus most are very apt to flip.

[malcolm]

Beside the couple truck conversions on the 180sx, r32, and so on NO. Most trucks are to bulky and big, etc. Plus most are very apt to flip.

you do realize that whoever entered a truck would lower it, and modify it so it's suitable for drifting, right?

[DRIFTER-M]

Malcom, not necassarily, they donot have to lower there trucks. And even then trucks are still top heavy and more apt to flip than cars. Come on this is getting a bit rediculous. What is with everyone wanting to drift now??? It is getting super blown outta proportion. Now all we need is a new ford commercial to come out with the F*150 drifting. That will be so stupid.
Yeah I don't care if I get flammed for this, which I will. I am giving my opinion thats all. Also rebel, we dont have to say NO to anyone, we just have to tell them to buy a car.

[malcolm]

they donot have to lower there trucks

they do if they want to be competitive. Also, a rule could be put in place, similar to autocross, whereby a suspiciously top-heavy vehicle would be banned from participation. There, simple.

[DRIFTER-M]

Malcom, no flamming intended, really I just don't wanna see trucks drift. Simple. Sorry to offend anyone. Just my opinion.

[malcolm]

haha, fine with me. I think it's silly, but like you, we all have our own opinions.

[Ris4drift]

And even then trucks are still top heavy and more apt to flip than cars. .

a lowered truck will have a majority of its center of gravity right above the framerails, if you know what those are, so i really dont see your point other than you dont like trucks. to each his own, but dont go pulling ''facts'' out of your bumhole next time.

[functionFiRst]

I definitely vote YES...If you think about it, it would be great for the sport. It would also give more of us a chance to buy more 240's, Corollas, and Rx-7's that are clearly already a rarity to find because of the sport. I also would like to see more Domestics in the scene.

[jaydm180sx]

die thread die