RE: Drifting modes are pointless: Tell Me I'm Wrong
Discussion
Some markets, like Australia, have some pretty draconian traffic enforcement.
What happens when or if these drift enabled cars all of a sudden find the laws have changed? Will the manufacturers find themselves in trouble? Class action law suit brought on by owners and or the authorities?
And what if, heaven forbid, someone loses control of a drift and kills someone? The argument might be that it never would have been attempted, but for the advertised option in the first place.
I get an uncomfortable feeling that lawyers of tomorrow must be rubbing their hands with glee.
What happens when or if these drift enabled cars all of a sudden find the laws have changed? Will the manufacturers find themselves in trouble? Class action law suit brought on by owners and or the authorities?
And what if, heaven forbid, someone loses control of a drift and kills someone? The argument might be that it never would have been attempted, but for the advertised option in the first place.
I get an uncomfortable feeling that lawyers of tomorrow must be rubbing their hands with glee.
big_rob_sydney said:
Some markets, like Australia, have some pretty draconian traffic enforcement.
What happens when or if these drift enabled cars all of a sudden find the laws have changed? Will the manufacturers find themselves in trouble? Class action law suit brought on by owners and or the authorities?
And what if, heaven forbid, someone loses control of a drift and kills someone? The argument might be that it never would have been attempted, but for the advertised option in the first place.
I get an uncomfortable feeling that lawyers of tomorrow must be rubbing their hands with glee.
The Mustang's burnout mode is disabled in Australia, I assume the Focus RS drift mode is too.What happens when or if these drift enabled cars all of a sudden find the laws have changed? Will the manufacturers find themselves in trouble? Class action law suit brought on by owners and or the authorities?
And what if, heaven forbid, someone loses control of a drift and kills someone? The argument might be that it never would have been attempted, but for the advertised option in the first place.
I get an uncomfortable feeling that lawyers of tomorrow must be rubbing their hands with glee.
To me, a thread like this illustrates how good the marketing is behind these drift modes. The fact that people think of them as 'irresponsible' and 'dangerous' along with making things 'too easy' means they've worked. The reality is none of them really let you drift. They give the average punter the sensation they're drifting (bearing in mind 90% of owners would utterly crap themselves if the car stepped out on them under power) without any real significant danger. Ok, so you could argue their existence promotes poor driving, but lets be honest.
For every person that crashes using a drift mode, 5 probably crash trying to drift system off. Side slip, drift, track...whatever you want to call it, offers a driver the feeling their being a hooligan, but leaves the safety net in place, far enough out not to trouble the average user. The reality that the Focus will actually drift better in Sport mode with DSC off is something that Ford won't tell you....
Think of it like the difference between a tandem skydive versus a solo base jump. Both offer a similar sensation, but one is a simulated adrenaline rush for an inexperienced punter. The other is a skilled professionals only, risky but rewarding rush. Better to leave the latter to the pros and allow the punters to try the skydive....
For every person that crashes using a drift mode, 5 probably crash trying to drift system off. Side slip, drift, track...whatever you want to call it, offers a driver the feeling their being a hooligan, but leaves the safety net in place, far enough out not to trouble the average user. The reality that the Focus will actually drift better in Sport mode with DSC off is something that Ford won't tell you....
Think of it like the difference between a tandem skydive versus a solo base jump. Both offer a similar sensation, but one is a simulated adrenaline rush for an inexperienced punter. The other is a skilled professionals only, risky but rewarding rush. Better to leave the latter to the pros and allow the punters to try the skydive....
Edited by RacerMike on Sunday 6th November 20:52
It just sends a bit more power to the back. Its just another string to a cars bow like the dccd in impreza STi's. Why wouldn't you want to be able to shuffle the power about a bit for a laugh?
Also of course it ruins tyres in the dry, thats what drifting does. Easier on tyres at slow speeds in the wet.
Also of course it ruins tyres in the dry, thats what drifting does. Easier on tyres at slow speeds in the wet.
It is pointless and I'm sure it won't be long before I see a bright blue Focus wrapped around a tree or worse, a lamp post where there are pedestrians about.
Ultimately the best way IMO to remove the potential hazards of a drift mode is to provide more thorough driver training, perhaps Ford and other car manufacturers should provide training to acquire the necessary skills to control drifts and not put themselves and others in danger.
With that in mind, most road accidents/deaths etc could be avoided if the correct driver training was mandatory, but thats a whole new can of worms.
It stands to reason that the current system is inadequate. If lessons and test were more thorough and included all aspects of driving perhaps drift mode would not be an issue. A recent rally driving day highlighted my lack of knowledge and skill to control oversteer and I've been driving for 24 years.
Ultimately the best way IMO to remove the potential hazards of a drift mode is to provide more thorough driver training, perhaps Ford and other car manufacturers should provide training to acquire the necessary skills to control drifts and not put themselves and others in danger.
With that in mind, most road accidents/deaths etc could be avoided if the correct driver training was mandatory, but thats a whole new can of worms.
It stands to reason that the current system is inadequate. If lessons and test were more thorough and included all aspects of driving perhaps drift mode would not be an issue. A recent rally driving day highlighted my lack of knowledge and skill to control oversteer and I've been driving for 24 years.
stn-vtr said:
Ultimately the best way IMO to remove the potential hazards of a drift mode is to provide more thorough driver training, perhaps Ford and other car manufacturers should provide training to acquire the necessary skills to control drifts and not put themselves and others in danger.
So all manufacturers of rwd cars should train drivers of their cars? Riight...Weirdly as the owner of an RS with the infamous "Drift mode" button I find I think about it far less than the people who find out I own an RS, usually the first question is "Have you tried it" etc
Been with me since July and not felt the temptation once to fiddle with it, the normal/sport modes are more than adequate for the driving I intend to get out of it, I much appreciate the rear getting involved in turning the car in to the corner.
Been with me since July and not felt the temptation once to fiddle with it, the normal/sport modes are more than adequate for the driving I intend to get out of it, I much appreciate the rear getting involved in turning the car in to the corner.
MuscleSaloon said:
Focus RS Drift Mode fails !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOelONV_unQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpHx7iPNYVc
newskool Mustang.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOelONV_unQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpHx7iPNYVc
Edited by MuscleSaloon on Sunday 6th November 17:33
Drifting is utter w
k. Always has been. The idea of a drift mode is even wkier.
Now ice racing, rallying, rallycross, or old school tin top racing (which all involve large elements of sideways) are awesome. A sideways car should be the byproduct of speed, not the aim. Any chump can chuck a car sidweays slowly.
k. Always has been. The idea of a drift mode is even wkier.Now ice racing, rallying, rallycross, or old school tin top racing (which all involve large elements of sideways) are awesome. A sideways car should be the byproduct of speed, not the aim. Any chump can chuck a car sidweays slowly.
As the great Mr Shelby taught, it is the four wheel drift that is the real car control ability - booting the rears out is easy but keeping the direction of travel while balacing inertia, traction and power delivery over the racing line is the real heroic ability. Sure he had a video clip of some very skilled drivers in mustangs and lecture on how to drive to get the best pace and timing on track - this is closer to drifting and the rice boy racers of japan style. Wagging the arse end of the car and smoking the tires is more the Top Gear way, looks good but its not going to get you there quick and it seems this is what the drift button is all about. Now, 'line lock' thats something more pointless and a lot more cool for a show at the traffic lights.
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