New to the world of Drifting

[Ewout_vB]

Hey everyone,

I'm 16 currently and I'm about to get my drivers liscense. I'm actualy dutch and I moved to America 5 years ago. I realize the penalties on public drifting, so I decided to try to find a legal spot to do so.

Currently I have a Jeep Laredo 1995 - It's not a car for drifting at all, but what kind of a car would be good? RWD is the best the way I understood it, but my budget is extremely limited if I get a cheap car with RWD that's not too heavy would I need to work a bit on the engine or does the power of the car not really matter if you are doing E-brake drifting? Would a 240sx or something be any good- I heard a lot of people have the 1998 version of it.

Does anyone know any racing or drifting schools in Atlanta, Georgia? If not, where could I try to drift? Knowing how public roads would not be legal, and this place is pretty populated so there aren't that many empty big parking lots in my area. Any places that I could ask?

Thank you guys!

Oh yea 1 more thing, how often do you guys have to buy new tires? Or does it really depend on the type of tires and the asphalt or whatever you are driving on? Hhehe since I can't afford that many tires...

[Tsunami]

#1 most important thing is that you don't drift your daily driver. If you screw up and hit something, which you will sooner or later, trust me, then you're out you're everyday ride. Being that you just got your license you should first gain some experience driving, say a year or 2.

Once you feel confident in your skills behind the wheel then read up on driving techniques. You'll need to know the basics of grip driving, such as proper line, braking and steering techniques, and seating position.

Then when you get good enough to start drift practice, go get an old beater Mustang or Camaro and start practicing, (240sx, AE86 are other good starter cars). Why an old beater? Simple, you won't feel bad when you wreck it trying to drift.

Perhaps the most important thing is that you use common sense when you practice. Don't do it anywhere there's oncoming traffic, and when you do find a good spot to practice, make sure it's a large, open lot with plenty of runoff room. When you get there, don't wear out you're welcome, because people may complain or the cops may come crack down on you.

Anyway, the most important thing is to use common sense and stay safe. Good luck!!

[Ewout_vB]

Originally posted by Tsunami
#1 most important thing is that you don't drift your daily driver. If you screw up and hit something, which you will sooner or later, trust me, then you're out you're everyday ride. Being that you just got your license you should first gain some experience driving, say a year or 2.

Once you feel confident in your skills behind the wheel then read up on driving techniques. You'll need to know the basics of grip driving, such as proper line, braking and steering techniques, and seating position.

Then when you get good enough to start drift practice, go get an old beater Mustang or Camaro and start practicing, (240sx, AE86 are other good starter cars). Why an old beater? Simple, you won't feel bad when you wreck it trying to drift.

Perhaps the most important thing is that you use common sense when you practice. Don't do it anywhere there's oncoming traffic, and when you do find a good spot to practice, make sure it's a large, open lot with plenty of runoff room. When you get there, don't wear out you're welcome, because people may complain or the cops may come crack down on you.

Anyway, the most important thing is to use common sense and stay safe. Good luck!!

Thanks for the reply!

Yea that would make sense, but I see so many people drifting at early ages.

Would it matter as in driving experience V a SUV? No right?

[rwd polak]

Uh yes it would bro.
The more you understand cars, and how they handle, the better drifter you are. Doesn't matter if you drive a SUV, your learning how cars work with and against you, so you are gaining some experience.

[Tsunami]

Originally posted by rwd polak
Doesn't matter if you drive a SUV, your learning how cars work with and against you, so you are gaining some experience.

Agreed. You've gotta be a good driver before you can be a good drifter. You have to learn how a car reacts in everyday driving before you can push it to its limits. You should also read some books or articles about driving techniques (Initial D doesn't count). They will teach you the basics of performance driving. Also you may want to look into a racing school like Skip Barber or Bondurant. They've got courses that teach you not only performance driving, but alot of great information that you can apply to everyday driving.

As for the young drivers, there are those who have great natural talent, like Sam Hubinette, Ken Gushi, or N. Tanaguchi that can get into anything and push it to the limit, and drift it. For the rest of us it takes alot of time to learn these things.

Talent makes you faster, but so can knowledge.

[Ewout_vB]

Originally posted by Tsunami
Agreed. You've gotta be a good driver before you can be a good drifter. You have to learn how a car reacts in everyday driving before you can push it to its limits. You should also read some books or articles about driving techniques (Initial D doesn't count). They will teach you the basics of performance driving. Also you may want to look into a racing school like Skip Barber or Bondurant. They've got courses that teach you not only performance driving, but alot of great information that you can apply to everyday driving.

As for the young drivers, there are those who have great natural talent, like Sam Hubinette, Ken Gushi, or N. Tanaguchi that can get into anything and push it to the limit, and drift it. For the rest of us it takes alot of time to learn these things.

Talent makes you faster, but so can knowledge.

Yea I was hoping maybe one of you knew a good school in atlanta for drifting or just overal racing.

Alright thanks a lot guys, guess I might come back here in 2 or so years

[Tsunami]

You're welcome man. Good luck!!