Is drifting the fastest way around the track? If not, then if you get passed by a car that fails to drift, does it count?
The only time I watched drifting on TV was years ago, and it seems like there was more to it than being first in the head to head races, some judging points maybe?
If I remember correctly from what I saw on one of the TV shows, there are both points (for "style" and "form") as well as finishing order, for determining the winner.
Mythbusters proved that drifting is NOT the fastest route through a turn/course...but it sure is fun! (I think the only thing that beat Adam's straight-turn time through the course they had, was when a pro rally driver showed up with his racer and trounced him).
It's definitely not the fastest way around anything. We never got out of second gear!
I could definitely beat them around the course in my stock MR2 just following a racing line. I feel like they were doing their best to use the WHOLE track from one side to the other.
Maybe I don't get it. I find it odd that if he's that serious about racing that his washing effort is nil. Dirty is not Kool in autocross or motorcycle roadracing. 'Maybe he's the mechanic type that never washes his hands.
There's 4 ways around the track. The fast line, or driver's school line, which has large arcs and hitting the apex just right feels great! Then there's the racing line. Those big arcs are great for carrying speed through the corners but they open you up to getting passed so the race line has some defense built in. Then there's the wet line which is obviously slower because you're leaving yourself a little room for error in the corners. That line is actually similar to the Drift line which allows you to slide out. Getting the car sideways is the hard part, once it's there you can steer with your right foot. Definitely the most fun, and slow, way around the track! Bottom line, anytime you have an opportunity to get track time is a good time, no matter how many wheels are under the seat!
Matthew- those Honda motor conversions must be SIIICCK. Not to mention $ICK $$$...
Diggin' the hardtops too. I'm still waiting to pull the trigger on some kind of truck/car/SUV? and dang if I'd be tickled with a slick auto droptop with a tow hitch. I've realized that I don't REALLY need a truck per se, just a means to tow a good trailer for the MC's, garden/landscaping needs, recycling, etc. My sweet woman can't ride with me anymore, so I'd LOVE to get a 'vert that she could drive (no stick).
We'll see how 2018 flows, youn's. Hoping good $$$ starts "drifting" my way, what with a new job starting up very soon.
If done properly drifting is like a dance. All about style points and at the same time speed. You lead to win but must express style at all times.
Interesting dirt Yamahammers. Looks like fun.
There is no feeling in the World like backing a car into a banked dirt track corner WFO with just a poke of the brakes and very little steering input, to feel the rear tires hook up so hard you are picking a front tire six inches off the track all of the way around the corner, to feel it ever so gently set back down on the straight. Do that 80 times in a forty lap race and tell me it is not a rush!
One of the tracks I ran, Eriez Speedway in Erie Pa., had a dip coming out of turn 2 that if conditions were right, it would max out the rear springs(leafs) making it carry both front tires about fifty feet down the back straight. Better than sex!!
Always bent my rear springs when it hooked that good. Two hours to R&I re arch them. So worth it!
Neat. Eriez was my hometown track as a youngster. We'd sit in the stands near the turn 4 exit and would be covered in dirt by the end of the night. Never boring.
I wonder if the turns were kept wet while straights stayed dry if drifting could be the fast way around.
What year would you have been at Eriez? I raced there spectator\street stocks 81, 82, limited late model 83, 84. Although my home track was Stateline Speedway in Busti Ny
I worked on several of the big name guys cars from 74 to 80.
I could never skate a lick! Could not dance without full football pads for everyone within range! But when I would get sideways on a dirt bike, three wheeler, snowmobile, or just about any vehicle it became magical to me.
I don't have a utube set up yet,if I did I could post my latest series of double looping donuts in my field driving a long bed extended cab dually with a 454. If the ground wasn't hard dry I could have gone fancy doing that!
I need about 500 hp in this 3300 pounder to be a lightem' When ever I want hotrod.
Having had several of them over the years I can say 270 up will barely turn them, 300 will break them loose with some effort, 350 hp will light them up needing work to keep them lit, and 425 will roll them pretty easily most any time you like.
I haven't been there yet street legal with one of my own, but 500 hp seems to be the target number to have the ability to smoke them at will without mercy.
These cars at 3300 lbs are balanced real close to 50/50 front to rear.
What is the weight distribution on most of these small drift cars? Just looking 60/40 maybe?
