Can Electronic Handbrake Be Used for Drifting?
3 Answers
Yes. There are two methods of drifting: power sliding and handbrake drifting. For vehicles equipped with electronic handbrakes, performing handbrake drifting is more challenging because the electronic handbrake only applies gradual braking at high speeds and cannot lock the wheels instantly. Therefore, power sliding is the preferred method for vehicles with electronic handbrakes. Principle of Drifting: The principle of power sliding in electronic handbrake-equipped vehicles involves making the driving force of the rear wheels significantly exceed their grip, causing the rear wheels to spin. The vehicle's standard ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and TRC (Traction Control System) will actively prevent this from happening, so to perform drifting, it's essential to choose a model that allows turning off the stability control system. Drifting Technique: A rear-wheel-drive vehicle with high torque is easier to drift. Inducing oversteer to make the rear end slide out is relatively simple; the key challenge is maintaining continuous drift, which requires excellent control over the throttle and steering. Downshift and apply throttle while steering into the turn to create oversteer; when slight oversteer occurs, ease off the throttle and counter-steer; when the vehicle shows signs of spinning out, release the throttle, and when it's about to stop drifting, apply throttle again.
I'm always passionate about studying car performance, and electronic parking brakes aren't really suitable for drifting. Traditional mechanical handbrakes use cables to directly lock the rear wheels—just pull it and the tail will swing out. But electronic parking brakes are computer-controlled; when you press the button while driving, the system evaluates factors like speed and tire conditions, usually applying only brief, gentle braking and automatically activating ESP to prevent loss of control. I once tried it in an open area—pressing the electronic parking brake just made the car jerk abruptly, making continuous oversteer impossible. Professional drift cars are all modified with mechanical handbrakes; if you want to do this, you'll need a car with a traditional handbrake.
As someone who loves tinkering with mechanics, I've found that the design of electronic parking brakes inherently prevents drifting. Their brake calipers are actuated by electric motors, unlike mechanical handbrakes that directly lock the wheels using lever principles. When you engage the e-brake while driving, the vehicle's computer prioritizes safety - using sensors to modulate braking force, which might only give you a two-second pulse brake. What's worse, modern cars all have ABS systems that intervene at the slightest tire slip. A friend of mine tried it despite warnings, and the car just wobbled twice before stopping completely - nothing like the sustained oversteer of a proper drift.
