alright guys , obviously the 12a isnt really a power over type of drifter. what methods do you guys use? i have a track day coming up and dont want to make an *** of myself so i want to at least grab the techniques . thanks!

 

i don't know if this is usefull for our 12A's but i know that in UNDERPOWERD cars you basically should NEVER let your foot off the gas pedal..becuse you wont have enough power to recover if you let off. Basically from what ive heard keep the gas pushed in and always keep the RPMS HIGH..... oh and have fun



(if im wrong on this someone please correct me)

 

Ok i'll correct you

If you keep your foot on the gas teh whole time you'll just spin. It's a common misconception that you need bagloads of power to drift, that's only true when you start to get better and are hitting 3rd gear 100kmh + slides. 2nd gear is a lot easier and doesnt need anywhere near as much power.

One technique i found that works really well for a first gen is to go for a slight feint movement and then mash the throttle to kick it out, if that's not enough to kick it out go for a slight clutch kick as well to loosen up the rear, if you're cars running out of power mid drift and bogging down, smash the clutch and let the revs jump then let go again, this will keep the car in the power zone.

 

Yea, basically walk the pedals through the slide if you're losing power. Gas. Clutch. Gas. Clutch. Etc... That way you are craming power but you are also letting the motor keep reving to keep power and you are allowing the motor to help break traction, then regain, and so on.

 

^^^^ Sounds like a quick way to replace your tranny though

 

lotsa good stuff in this thread, anyone have anything else to add???

 

Well I mean... good drift or transmission?
There's some braking in there too. So I guess lopsided pads too?

Nah, watch drifting videos and watch their feet. They walk between pedals. Especially in sustained 2 and 3 corner drifts. I have used the walk technique in my 7 and in a Merkur XR4-Ti and it worked well. Basically you are giving gas in gear to put power to the tires but when you start to rotate more towards that spin point you get on the clutch and let off the gas and let the lack of power allow the LSD to bring you back. Careful though as to not let it pop you back the wrong way so you have to be quick with the gas again.

Go to an open parking lot away from poles and people and just work on it. You'll find out what works and what doesn't.

I am not condoning my way as a sure fire way and the best way. It works for me but I'm no pro so make sure you figure out what works for you and what will work that you feel comfortable with.

People have their own unique ways and feels for how to handle their car.

 

GO DL the BEST MOTORING - Drift Bible...taht vid is VERY informative!!!!

 

And drift the whole way there and back!

 

Ya need NOS. 2 of the big ones..... LOL.
Just like any other form of driving, seat time is the key. Go out the first time expecting to suck, and you won't be disappointed when you do.

 

Hold on let me put my Flux Capacitor in so my quadruple fogger computer encrypted in 256bit encryption with a CompuNOS AI central neural ignition system can make me fly. I want to be too gay too curious in my Skyline tooooooo.

 

rx7's are really easy to slide w/ the right suspension and tire set up. 12a will hold a drift if you use the e-brake/shift lock techniques combined (techniques explained by Keiichi Tsuchiya in the Drift Bible). you should practice getting the car sideways, after you feel comfortable with the tail sliding out try the track.
have fun!

 

I really don't understand why the FB/Sa isn't the more preferred beginners car over th AE86. It now has a cheaper start up cost, lighter, and has a tad bit more power. Both have a solid rear axle, and about the same weight distribution front to rear. But the RX7s power plant sits lower along with the rest of the car, and handles far better in stock form.

The AE86s steering feel feels vague and unresponsive, and the seating position is far from what I would call comfortable at speed. The rx7(GSL and -se) have better brakes and larger tires stock than the 86 and more HP(101~ vs 132~) plus a better turn in.

So yes an FB is good as long as your not a Initial D nut and must have the 86 to rule at the fail.

 

you just made me happier about being me! thanks.

 

 

I'm an initial d nut and i chose the rx7 over the 86, whats that tell you

Few other things you should do, get a wheel alignment and ask for as much positive castor as possible. I was able to get 5.5 deg pos castor on both sides with stock suspension setup. Now i've got camber and castor tops and have 6. Castor makes the wheel spin back faster when u let go to counter steer and gives you more camber when you're cornering for more grip.
I wouldn't even hit the track without a temp guage of some sort, you can heat the motor up to around 115 deg C provided that you cool it down carefully, do a few cool down laps untill the temps get to 90 before you turn the motor off. Don't want to be blowing you're motor up now.
Also adjust your handbrake so that it locks as tight as possible, I haven't actualy been able to get my handbrake to lock the brakes on its own (i have to tap the foot brake and rip handbrake up) but if you have a good set of pads on the back and the handbrake is nice and tight you should be able to lock up the rear wheels.

If you're not spinning the car then you're not trying hard enough. Don't be affraid to spin the car, because if you can't spin the car, then you have no hope of actualy catching a drift, starting it to spin is the first step to drifting, next is counter steering and throttle control. Just don't be affraid of the car spinning. If it does spin, let off the brakes and rip up the hand brake, or you may flat spot your front tyres. Also if you are consistantly spinning, try and pay attention to when you actualy loose control, is it right at the start of the slide (initiated too hard), half way through the slide (failure to counter steer fast enough), or at the latter half of the slide (too much throttle). I wish it was that simple but its not, thats just a general rule I've found works for me.
Make sure you have good tyres on the front, front end grip is extremely important and their's no such thing as too much.
Adjust your seat so that it holds you in place, yes its a simple thing, but it makes a huge difference. You want to be focusing on sliding the car not holding yourself in your seat.

Also I wouldn't pay too much attention to what you see on the drift bible, its good for introducing the various techniques but thats about all the help it is

 

you're going to the event out at Ferntucky? Some of my friends that are still into drifting are heading out. But even if I still was into it I would be a little worried about the track.

For a little backstory the road course and 1/4 mile track are run by the same people, and on the 1/4 mile track, thats noticably uphill, not flat, the use a guy with a stopwatch to give you your time. Fast 11-12 second cars run 14-15s because the guy at the end of the track with the stop watch is getting lazy.

 

yeah i watched the drift bible years ago, i just watched again b/c im used to being able to feint and power over. my car really wasnt liking that.the ferntucky track isnt that bad. they have electronic timing equipment and the road course is well mantained. about the only problem with the track is the dust.
thanks for the tips guys! hopefully i can not suck.