Drifting is a driving technique where the rear of the car intentionally slides out during a corner. While it’s commonly used in motorsports, more and more enthusiasts are doing it just for fun—because let’s be honest, it looks insanely cool. But learning how to drift isn’t as simple as yanking the handbrake and hoping for the best. It’s a skill that combines car control, timing, and precision.
In simple terms, drifting involves deliberately oversteering so that the rear wheels lose traction while the driver maintains full control of the car. There are three basic methods to initiate a drift:
- Handbrake (E-brake) Drift: Pull the handbrake mid-turn while pressing the clutch. This locks the rear wheels, causing the car to slide.
- Power Oversteer: Slam the throttle during a turn to break rear-wheel traction. Most effective in high-torque rear-wheel-drive cars.
- Clutch Kick: Briefly depress and release the clutch while accelerating mid-turn to jolt the drivetrain and induce a slide.
In this article, we’ll break down each of these techniques to help you start learning how to drift the right way.
How to Pick a Drift Car and Find a Place to Practice
1. Choose an Open Space or a Track
First things first: never practice drifting on public roads. It’s not just about protecting others—it’s about keeping yourself safe. The best approach is to rent a private area, such as a closed racetrack or an unused section of an airfield. Look for a paved surface and set up traffic cones to simulate corners and practice maneuvers.
Drifting is easier on slick surfaces. Wet pavement, light rain, or even light snow can help you slide more easily. You can also wet the surface manually, but be careful—wet conditions reduce control and increase risk, so proper safety measures are essential.
2. Choose a Rear-Wheel-Drive Car
Rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicles send power only to the rear wheels. In contrast, front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive cars send power to the front or all four wheels. Since drifting depends on losing traction at the rear, RWD cars are easier to control when sliding, making them better suited for beginners.
Also, pay attention to the differential. A car equipped with an LSD (Limited Slip Differential) allows both rear wheels to spin together during a drift, resulting in smoother, more controllable slides. Without an LSD, one wheel might lose grip while the other does nothing, which can kill your drift. Not all RWD cars come with LSDs from the factory, so check the specs or consider installing one later.
If you’re looking for a reliable LSD, contact XJX Parts—they offer professional service and a wide selection of LSDs to fit various models.
3. Go for a Manual Transmission
Manual cars give you full control over gears and engine power. With the clutch and gearstick, you can better manage speed, torque, and angle—all of which are crucial for drifting. For beginners learning how to drift, this level of control is a big advantage.
That said, you can still drift with an automatic—especially using handbrake techniques. Pulling the e-brake mid-turn can initiate a slide. It takes practice, but it’s possible even without a clutch.
4. Use Worn or Inexpensive Tires
Worn-out tires have less grip, which actually makes it easier for the rear wheels to break traction. If you’re a beginner, using old or cheap rear tires can help you learn faster. Even budget new tires can make drifting more accessible. Just keep in mind that drifting burns through rubber fast, so cost-effective options make a big difference.
5. Safety Gear is Non-Negotiable
Drifting isn’t just about technique—it’s about safety, too. Always wear basic protective gear like a helmet and gloves. A fire extinguisher is essential, and you should check that it’s working before every session. If possible, install a roll cage—it’s one of the best ways to stay protected if something goes wrong.
Handbrake (E-brake) Drift
One of the most beginner-friendly ways to start learning how to drift is using the handbrake, also known as the e-brake. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how it works:
How it works:
The goal is to momentarily lock the rear wheels using the handbrake, causing them to lose traction so the car can slide sideways into or through a corner.
Steps:
1. Approach the turn at moderate speed.
Aim for around 30 mph (48 km/h)—fast enough to maintain momentum, but slow enough to stay in control. Shift into second gear, and keep an eye on your tachometer. You want the engine revving around 3,000 RPM for a strong enough power band to initiate the slide.
2. Flick the steering wheel as you enter the turn.
Gently turn the wheel toward the inside of the curve to begin the turn. If space allows, start from the outside of the road and aim to slide inward around the corner. Just before the turn, quickly flick the wheel in the opposite direction (a motion known as a “feint”) to build momentum and help initiate the drift. The goal is to take the curve in a smooth arc, not a sharp jerk.
3. Pull the handbrake and press the clutch.
As the car turns, push the clutch in and pull the handbrake to lock the rear wheels. This destabilizes the rear and causes the car to begin sliding. At the same time, press the gas pedal to keep the engine revs up. If you’re too gentle, the car won’t generate enough force to break traction.
4. Accelerate as you approach the middle of the turn.
Once the slide begins, focus on controlling it. Release the clutch while maintaining throttle. This ensures the rear wheels keep spinning and helps the car continue around the turn. Don’t lift off the throttle too early—consistent acceleration keeps the drift alive.
5. Steer into the corner at the halfway point.
When you reach the midpoint of the curve, countersteer to point the car in the direction you want to go. Keep applying throttle while adjusting the steering to balance the car’s angle. It’s all about managing direction and speed together.
6. Add throttle if the car isn’t turning enough.
If the rear isn’t swinging wide enough, push harder on the gas pedal—around 80% throttle is usually enough. More throttle brings more wheel spin and helps rotate the car through the turn.
Two key times to ease off the throttle:
- If you’re oversteering and the rear is swinging too far, gently lift the gas.
- If the car nose is diving too far toward the inside, ease off slightly to keep the car centered.
7. Hold steady throttle and steer to exit the drift.
As you near the end of the corner, begin to straighten the wheel slowly—this prevents spinning out. Keep the throttle steady through the exit. Releasing the gas too early will cause the rear wheels to regain traction and end the slide abruptly. Maintain control until the car is pointed straight again.
Pro Tips:
- If you’re going too fast and feel the car starting to spin, tap the brake quickly—don’t just lift off the gas suddenly, or the weight shift might make it worse.
- If it’s hard to get the car to slide, you might need more power. Try a higher entry speed or apply more throttle during initiation.
This method is a go-to for beginners learning how to drift, especially in cars without a ton of power or in automatic transmissions. It teaches you the core feeling of breakaway traction, steering balance, and throttle control—all critical for mastering drifting.
Power Oversteer
Compared to handbrake drifting, Power Oversteer is a more advanced drifting technique that requires both driver skill and a specific type of vehicle. To pull this off successfully, you’ll need a rear-wheel-drive car with plenty of torque, because this method relies heavily on raw engine power to break traction at the rear wheels.
How it works:
By suddenly applying a large amount of throttle mid-turn, you force the rear wheels to spin faster than the tires can grip the road. This breaks traction and causes the rear end to swing out, allowing you to initiate a drift without using the handbrake.
Steps:
1. Approach the corner at moderate speed.
Aim for about 30 mph (48 km/h)—fast enough to maintain momentum without losing control. Shift into second gear and make sure the engine is around 3,000 RPM, giving you the torque needed to break traction quickly.
2. Steer into the turn.
As you enter the corner, gently turn the steering wheel toward the inside of the curve. Don’t overdo it—your goal is to prepare the car for controlled oversteer, not snap it into a spin. Get the car close to the inner line of the turn.
3. Apply the throttle aggressively while turning.
Now comes the key moment. While continuing to steer into the corner, slam the accelerator. The burst of power will overwhelm rear traction and cause the back of the car to swing out. This step should feel like the car is rotating underneath you—that’s the drift beginning.
4. Control the drift through the turn.
Once the rear steps out, your steering input becomes more important. Use quick, firm motions to maintain balance and keep the car pointed roughly where you want to go. If done correctly, the car will rotate in a controlled arc. If you apply too little throttle or steer too slowly, the drift may fail—or worse, the car may spin.
5. Exit the turn and realign the car.
As you exit the corner, slowly lift off the throttle to allow the rear wheels to regain grip. Straighten the steering wheel smoothly and guide the car back into its intended path. Once the car stabilizes, reduce speed and reset for your next attempt.
Pro Tips:
Because this technique pushes your car to the limit, always wear safety gear like a helmet and gloves while practicing. Power oversteer can be unpredictable for beginners, so make sure you’re on a closed course or track—never attempt this on public roads.
For those learning how to drift, Power Oversteer is an essential technique to master once you’ve built confidence with handbrake entries. It teaches throttle sensitivity, steering discipline, and real-time car control—all critical for more advanced drifting.
Clutch Kick
Clutch Kick is the most technically challenging of the three basic drifting methods and is only possible in manual transmission cars. It works by using a sudden jolt of power through the drivetrain to break traction at the rear wheels. This technique requires precise timing, coordination, and experience.
How it works:
By quickly pressing and releasing the clutch while applying throttle mid-turn, you send a sudden burst of torque to the rear wheels. This causes them to lose grip and initiates a controlled slide.
Steps:
1. Enter the turn at moderate speed.
Aim for about 30 mph (48 km/h). This is fast enough to maintain flow through the corner, but not so fast that you lose control. Use the second gear, and make sure the RPMs are around 3,000 for responsive power delivery.
2. Steer into the corner and build momentum.
Turn the wheel smoothly into the direction of the corner and press the gas to about 80% throttle. If you’re struggling to initiate the drift, a quick flick in the opposite direction (a feint) can unsettle the rear end and make it easier to break traction.
3. Kick the clutch to break traction.
As the car begins to settle mid-turn and rear grip starts to build, quickly press and release the clutch to jolt the drivetrain. This “kick” spikes the torque going to the rear wheels, causing them to lose traction. If the car continues to rotate instead of gripping and slowing down, the clutch kick worked.
4. Use a second clutch kick if needed.
If you feel the car is losing momentum or the drift is stalling out, you can do another quick clutch kick to raise the RPMs and help the car complete the slide. The goal is to maintain power delivery and keep the rear wheels spinning just enough to stay sideways.
5. Straighten out and exit the drift.
As you near the end of the corner, begin to countersteer gradually and gently let go of the clutch. The car should now be pointed toward the center of the road. Keep your foot on the throttle to avoid sudden traction loss. Once you’re stable, ease into the throttle to accelerate out of the turn.
Pro Tips:
- Timing is everything—clutch kicks need to be sharp and deliberate.
- Keep your foot on the gas during the process; lifting off too soon may end the drift prematurely.
- Don’t hold the clutch too long or your car won’t transfer torque properly, and the drift will stall.
- For those seriously learning how to drift, this technique is worth practicing once you’re confident with handbrake and power oversteer methods.
