Dear Chris Harris - Does it need to drift?

[900T-R]

Mr E said:

My old citroen ZX was easier to get sideways intentionally (always away from the public roads, of course), partially because the rear wheel steering rubber bushes were somewhat tired and partly because a good boot of throttle usually sorted it out.

My old ZX is the only car that I ever spun (although I got an Evora out of shape out of a damp roundabout many years on - let's just say that in extremis it behaves much like an Elise due to where the weight is, and the traction control is about as useful as a chocolate fireguard). Of course, at the next MOT the rear wheel steering bushes were found to be about non-existant...

Edited by 900T-R on Monday 23 January 16:25

[Gad-Westy]

I hate the word 'drift'. I just wanted to get that off my chest as this thread seemed appropriate. As you were.

[10 Pence Short]

Gad-Westy said:

I hate the word 'drift'. I just wanted to get that off my chest as this thread seemed appropriate. As you were.

'Transatlantic power influenced rear wheel slippage' just doesn't seem to cut the geographical mustard, though!

[Harji]

In a recent issue of EVO, they completely ruined a centre piece collage photo spread of a Lambo Countach with some pictures of the driver getting the back end out. It's one of those cars that didn't need a back end out or drift to look specatacular and those pics spoiled the whole photo sequance.

I've been dying to say that for a while but couldn't find a context to say so!

[bicycleshorts]

Harji said:

In a recent issue of EVO, they completely ruined a centre piece collage photo spread of a Lambo Countach with some pictures of the driver getting the back end out. It's one of those cars that didn't need a back end out or drift to look specatacular and those pics spoiled the whole photo sequance.

I've been dying to say that for a while but couldn't find a context to say so!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dD5_Q_wIOQ

[CBR JGWRR]

You have do be even more of a nutter to do this:





Respect to anybody who can drift.

I haven't, but then, aside from video games, I haven't really driven a car or ridden a bike where I would want to drift it.

They are like wheelies - ultra impresive, until it all goes wrong.

[Mr E]

Gad-Westy said:

I hate the word 'drift'. I just wanted to get that off my chest as this thread seemed appropriate. As you were.

In a knackered old ZX, the correct expression is "arse dragging"

[OlberJ]

Gad-Westy said:

I hate the word 'drift'. I just wanted to get that off my chest as this thread seemed appropriate. As you were.

Totally.

It's the distinction between pre-corner speed scrubbing tyre smoke and post apex arse out fun.

It's akin to taking something motorsport derived and giving it the usual OTT fad attributes that are rife today.

I think i need to start a new website for those of us in the know.

www.AftertheApex.com

[OlberJ]

Bugger, that's a band already.

[Rawwr]

Mr E said:

I'd have thought that an Elise is probably one of the least friendly things to deliberately attempt to generate significant angle. Lots of grip, insufficient power to easily break traction, large reaction to lift off and very unforgiving should an error be made....

All true, apart from 'lots of grip', which is why I found it pertinent to explore it

[matthias73]

• Reads thread, starts putting money in piggybank for the mustang GT he promised himself last summer

But to answer the question, I like a bit of front wheel drive oversteer corrected by swearing and pretending to be the stig, why?

[andy_s]

Rawwr said:

Mr E said:

I'd have thought that an Elise is probably one of the least friendly things to deliberately attempt to generate significant angle. Lots of grip, insufficient power to easily break traction, large reaction to lift off and very unforgiving should an error be made....

All true, apart from 'lots of grip', which is why I found it pertinent to explore it

Think it's a lot to do with the engine position and relatively low inertia as well.

[Greg_D]

kbird said:

Who on here drifts their car on the road intentionally?

me, not all the time, and not often in the dry due to the increased noise and commitment needed to make it go, but on a wet day, probably 2-3 times on the way to work...

[Fastdruid]

jackwood said:

By the way, what is the legal position on oversteer on the public highway?

IMO Driving Without Due Care and Attention at minimum verging on Dangerous Driving.

Given that the magistrate in my case of DWDCA compared a (small) wheelie to the back end of a 'powerful rwd car' 'stepping out' momentarily and then being recovered (which in his mind was *NOT* DWDCA) I'm reasonably sure deliberate drifting would face the same kind of penalties as for a deliberate wheelie. These seem to be estimated as risking a 12month ban and retest depending on magistrates.

[DanDC5]

Fastdruid said:

IMO Driving Without Due Care and Attention at minimum verging on Dangerous Driving.

Given that the magistrate in my case of DWDCA compared a (small) wheelie to the back end of a 'powerful rwd car' 'stepping out' momentarily and then being recovered (which in his mind was *NOT* DWDCA) I'm reasonably sure deliberate drifting would face the same kind of penalties as for a deliberate wheelie. These seem to be estimated as risking a 12month ban and retest depending on magistrates.

May well depend on how lucky you are with which copper pulls you over as with everything...

[Fastdruid]

DanDC5 said:

Fastdruid said:

IMO Driving Without Due Care and Attention at minimum verging on Dangerous Driving.

Given that the magistrate in my case of DWDCA compared a (small) wheelie to the back end of a 'powerful rwd car' 'stepping out' momentarily and then being recovered (which in his mind was *NOT* DWDCA) I'm reasonably sure deliberate drifting would face the same kind of penalties as for a deliberate wheelie. These seem to be estimated as risking a 12month ban and retest depending on magistrates.

May well depend on how lucky you are with which copper pulls you over as with everything...

Absolutely. In some case's you might get a "very good, but if I see you do it again I'll have to do you" or a "I'm going off shift now and can't be bothered with the paper work" in others it'll be a straight to court.

All depends where you do it too, deserted industrial estate on a Sunday, ticking off. Centre of town on a Saturday night and expect the book to be thrown.

[monthefish]

kbird said:

Who on here drifts their car on the road intentionally?

There has been countless threads asking this very question over the years, and there are a lot of people who do (or at least, a lot of people that say they do).

I do (or have done occasionally) but don't do it often as I always have a fear a back of my mind that it will go wrong and I'll end up looking like a right pillock.

[lauda]

CBR JGWRR said:

That looks less like a drift and more like the beginnings of a nasty accident

[10 Pence Short]

monthefish said:

There has been countless threads asking this very question over the years, and there are a lot of people who do (or at least, a lot of people that say they do).

I do (or have done occasionally) but don't do it often as I always have a fear a back of my mind that it will go wrong and I'll end up looking like a right pillock.

It's usually the same people who claim to heel and toe every change and find diesel on the road, constantly.

[bicycleshorts]

10 Pence Short said:

It's usually the same people who claim to heel and toe every change and find diesel on the road, constantly.

The diesel one I agree with, but heel-toeing is fairly easy/enjoyable?

(Had some sideways moments in the 5, but didn't drift 'every' day)