Discussion
I've heard its really 'easy' to learn how to do this on the CSL and wondering if its true?
Not that I would do it on anything but an empty deserted roundabout of course but when I briefly test drove a CSL, I think I would be sh!t-scared to even let the back end step out a bit, let alone maintaining a drift!
I vaguely recall a PHer saying in a thread that they often got the back end out and drifted around roundabouts, and wondering if one needs to be an expert to do this, or if the CSL really is just that magical
And is there a school I can go to in order to become more comfortable getting the back out (not even to do it deliberately really, but just as a consequence of high corner speed)?
I'm not a hooligan and have never attempted to drift a car on the road but as this would be my first performance car, I'd like to learn how to drive it properly
Not that I would do it on anything but an empty deserted roundabout of course but when I briefly test drove a CSL, I think I would be sh!t-scared to even let the back end step out a bit, let alone maintaining a drift!
I vaguely recall a PHer saying in a thread that they often got the back end out and drifted around roundabouts, and wondering if one needs to be an expert to do this, or if the CSL really is just that magical
And is there a school I can go to in order to become more comfortable getting the back out (not even to do it deliberately really, but just as a consequence of high corner speed)?
I'm not a hooligan and have never attempted to drift a car on the road but as this would be my first performance car, I'd like to learn how to drive it properly
Www.carlimits.com or similar. You don't want to practice on the public road IMHO.
I wouldn't do it on a deserted round about or any bit of road if I were you, as if seen can be done for dangerous driving. 
If you've never done it, before, actually -if you've never spun a car before, or lost control and tried to recover it, the first port of call is at somewhere like Carlimits, as suggested - Andrew Walsh is a very good instructor, and you'll learn a lot - when I had my CSL I did 5 or 6 days with him - would definitely recommend doing a few days there, as you learn more on each day.
Then for actual drifting, there are organised things at places like oulton park... on a special polished surface, (thus low traction).
I did most of my drifting in Germany, either on the 'ring in the wet, or at the ATP facility in papenberg with driftdagen.nl
If you've never done it, before, actually -if you've never spun a car before, or lost control and tried to recover it, the first port of call is at somewhere like Carlimits, as suggested - Andrew Walsh is a very good instructor, and you'll learn a lot - when I had my CSL I did 5 or 6 days with him - would definitely recommend doing a few days there, as you learn more on each day.
Then for actual drifting, there are organised things at places like oulton park... on a special polished surface, (thus low traction).
I did most of my drifting in Germany, either on the 'ring in the wet, or at the ATP facility in papenberg with driftdagen.nl
cpufreak said:
I still think doing it on a circuit with instruction is a better place to start
It's is but, there's a car park within view and it much cheaper.I have tried the car park method and all can say is, I'm glad it wasn't on a roundabout or public road.
Completely lost it and spun 180 degrees.
Slopes off and rue’s lack of car controlOulton park do drift schools and it is not too expensive for the day and they wet the track so it does not destroy your tyres as fast!!Mate was an instructor there for years and still does a bit.Some of the other circuits probably do it as well,and it is well worth having some instruction if you dont feel confident.As said above the road is not the place to start from scratch!!
Its just something that takes practice, the more you do it, the better you get. First of all, the instinctive thing is to lift off as soon as the back end breaks away. After a while you resist the urge to immediately back off the throttle and start to balance it with the amount of grip available.
I certainly wouldn't start off in the road though. Round my way, there aren't many roundabouts with wide exits, so it is quite risky. I let me old man have a go in my CSL and it came back with a kerbed wheel, the next day at Brands it handled terribly! Found out i had to replace both the wheel and lower wishbone...
The CSL is quite an expensive car to fix, i found that out when i had to replace the rear bumper incl. carbon section! I would rather practice in a cheaper car. To be fair, a standard M3 with its softer suspension is more forgiving and arguably a better drifter. But it is a much poorer track day car...
I certainly wouldn't start off in the road though. Round my way, there aren't many roundabouts with wide exits, so it is quite risky. I let me old man have a go in my CSL and it came back with a kerbed wheel, the next day at Brands it handled terribly! Found out i had to replace both the wheel and lower wishbone...
The CSL is quite an expensive car to fix, i found that out when i had to replace the rear bumper incl. carbon section! I would rather practice in a cheaper car. To be fair, a standard M3 with its softer suspension is more forgiving and arguably a better drifter. But it is a much poorer track day car...
hondansx said:
Its just something that takes practice, the more you do it, the better you get. First of all, the instinctive thing is to lift off as soon as the back end breaks away. After a while you resist the urge to immediately back off the throttle and start to balance it with the amount of grip available.
This is my problem, still really struggling with the lift off instinct. My brain knows I need to stay on, but my sub-conscious wont let it, weird. Need to keep practising. Gibbo205 said:
Hi there
I've done the odd slide, but never full on drifting.
May I ask what/why the left foot braking is for when drifting as I've always used throttle and steering only, so what element of control is the left foot braking adding?
it is for weight transfer (more aggressive than just lifting off) - the weight of the car shifts forward under braking which reduces understeer and makes the rear wheels go light so they slide out easier.I've done the odd slide, but never full on drifting.
May I ask what/why the left foot braking is for when drifting as I've always used throttle and steering only, so what element of control is the left foot braking adding?
you use your left foot so you can get on the power quick enough to light up the rear wheels and initiate the slide
DO NOT try this for the first time on the road / busy roundabout - you will hit the brake too hard (guranateed first time!) and spin - practice in a straight line getting a feel for how much pressure has how much effect on your car.
I think drifting is either something you "get" or you don't.
If you get it - it is easy to learn, if you don't it is much harder.
For me personally it just seemed a natural thing to do, and when I started playing around these drift schools didn't exist (and it was just called skidding!) so I learnt on the road (naughty naughty!)
That makes me sound really old - I am only mid 30s! ha ha ha
I have since done the Oulton park one, and it is really good, and excellent price too - highly recommended:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHGoVIusPkE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwqfoTDQidw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP74qp10pJQ
My 540 is much easier to get sideways and keep sideways than the Celica:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0...
I would have thought the CSL would be even easier.
If you get it - it is easy to learn, if you don't it is much harder.
For me personally it just seemed a natural thing to do, and when I started playing around these drift schools didn't exist (and it was just called skidding!) so I learnt on the road (naughty naughty!)
That makes me sound really old - I am only mid 30s! ha ha ha
I have since done the Oulton park one, and it is really good, and excellent price too - highly recommended:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHGoVIusPkE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwqfoTDQidw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP74qp10pJQ
My 540 is much easier to get sideways and keep sideways than the Celica:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0...
I would have thought the CSL would be even easier.
it's easy in a csl! as far as drifting is easy goes anyway!
It's just as easy in a £8k standard m3 too so would use one of those before a csl.
Actually - I would get a £2k mx-5 to learn in - when you have mastered it, get an m3, when you've mastered that, get a csl!
You will ruin a csl if you learn in it imho.
No reason tho why not to get a csl as your pride and joy - just drift it when you know what you are doing.
It's just as easy in a £8k standard m3 too so would use one of those before a csl.
Actually - I would get a £2k mx-5 to learn in - when you have mastered it, get an m3, when you've mastered that, get a csl!
You will ruin a csl if you learn in it imho.
No reason tho why not to get a csl as your pride and joy - just drift it when you know what you are doing.
At 23 (ooh a while ago now) I stacked my new boxster practising how to break the rear loose and balancing the throttle. I'd advise doing it on a drifting course or similar. Honestly if you stack it, you'll look yourself in the mirror in the morning and think "what a dick, I've stacked my car being a wally" that's what I did.
Although a csl is a fine tool to do it in.
Jesus, Im starting to sound like me dad and I'm only 35!
Although a csl is a fine tool to do it in.
Jesus, Im starting to sound like me dad and I'm only 35!
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