What is the principle behind car drifting?

[VonCora]

The principle behind car drifting is that the rear wheels lose most or all of their grip, while the front wheels must maintain their grip, at most losing only a small portion, and ideally gaining additional grip. At this point, as long as the front wheels have a certain amount of lateral force, the car will fishtail, resulting in a drift. The preparations for car drifting are as follows: Choosing a car with suitable horsepower: For any track or road condition, horsepower between 300-550 is sufficient to meet the demands of drifting. If the horsepower is too high, the wheels are more prone to slipping, making it difficult to control during a drift. Choosing a car with suitable weight: Weight is a crucial factor in the drifting process. The weight of the car plays an important role in initiating the drift, maintaining stability during the drift, and stopping the drift. Cars with insufficient horsepower can utilize their weight, combined with the driver's skillful technique, to initiate a drift. However, heavier cars require more horsepower to compensate for their excessive weight. The heavier the car, the more difficult it is to drift.

[CourtneyLee]

When drifting with my rear-wheel-drive modified car, the key is to make the rear wheels lose traction. It's like using a broom to mop the floor—the front wheels steer while the rear wheels intentionally slide out. Depress the clutch, shift to neutral to let the RPM soar, then jerk the steering wheel while suddenly releasing the clutch, causing the rear wheels to lose grip and slide sideways. At this point, you must counter-steer to control the car's direction and modulate the throttle to adjust the slide angle. The screeching tires and billowing smoke are undeniably thrilling, but the tire wear is extreme—one session equals about half a month's worth of normal driving wear.

[SavannahAnn]

Last time I taught my daughter to practice drifting in an open space, the key was to break the tire grip. For example, when entering a turn at high speed and suddenly jerking the steering wheel, the inertia of the rear of the car will cause it to swing outward. The key is to coordinate the throttle and steering: pressing the throttle too hard will make the car spin, while not pressing enough won't make it drift. The front wheels should point in the direction you want to go, shifting the center of gravity like leaning your body when turning a bicycle. The steering wheel needs constant fine-tuning; if not adjusted properly, the car will directly slide off the road, which really tests your reflexes.

[DiStella]

As a frequent visitor to tuning shops, I've adjusted many drift cars. The core is to make the rear wheel power exceed the grip limit. High-powered rear-wheel-drive cars are easier to handle, and installing a mechanical limited-slip differential works best. Adjust the tire pressure to 0.3 bar higher than normal, and harder tires make it easier to slide. However, after frequent use, the rear suspension bushings tend to deform, and the steering ball joints wear out quickly. Once, a client set the suspension too soft, and the fender got damaged during drifting.