Week 6 [01-07.06.20] Drifting
Origins of driftingDrifting is I think one of the most spectacular sports which started a long time ago in the 60's when Japanese people started racing, among mountain roads and street roads of Japan cities. One of the first people who started this whole subject was Kunimitsu Takahashi, at first he was a motorcyclist but after an accident he switched onto cars. Kunimitsu started competing in All Japan Touring Car Championship, where he changed technique of driving a car to be more effective and faster while doing turns independently from the weather, so while his opponents had problems he just slided sideways and took off. His style inspired a lot of young drivers who started illegal street racing and now he is known as a father of drifting.
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| Kunimitsu Takahashi - Father of Drifting |
What drifting actually is?
Drifting is a technique of driving a car which is meant to put in into deliberate controlled slip of the car and controlling it. Slide of the car should be hold on the longest possible section of the road and it should be very smooth while changing the sides on the turns.
In drifting it is all about being the most spectacular, people are putting so much effort not only into showing their skills but also into their cars. In this sport there are no strict rules, that is why every car there is very unique. Cars are build mostly by the contestants, who create them to match their driving style. Two top things which drifting car needs is a limited slip differential, which helps putting a car into slip and a rear-wheel drive to make it easier to enter turns sideways.
Drifting competitions
Drifting competitions are a very spectacular not only because of the contestant driving skills but also their cars are very colorful. Now there are a lot of tournaments around the world and they are bringing a lot of attention. There is a very well know event called Drift Masters European Championship of which we can watch some rounds in Poland inside a stadium which is turned into drifting track for few days. This year unfortunately event was cancelled due to COVID-19.
On every tournament there are judges who rates skills including:
- tilting the car,
- cornering speed,
- driving car
- smoothness
- perfect car control.
Since 2018 Polish Motor Association is able to give drifting licenses. To get it you have to pass a theoretical and practical tests (the practical part is starting as a contestant in a drifting competition).
Here is a little sneak peak of championship from 2018 tournament in Płock.
Sources:
Questions:
1. Have you ever heard about drifting?
2. Do you think it is fun to watch professional tournaments in drifting?
3. Would you consider trying your skills in drifting? (of course on a race track, not on the streets)
Yes, I’ve heard about drifting and whats more I have to say that for some period it was almost part of my life. The first time I’ve heard about drifting was when I was watching one of my favorite movies – Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift. I was so excited about drifting but I was only a kid and had no opportunity to try it. When I grow up, got my driving license, and bought the first car it was only FWD, and of course each winter I’ve tried to do slides using handbrake. I’ve seen that it gives me happiness and a smile and I’ve decided to buy my first car with RWD. It was Polish Polonez where I’ve made weight reduction, welded differential, and hardened the suspension. That’s how I’ve started to drift properly. Of course, I’ve been drifting on the streets because it’s more fun and gives more adrenaline. After some time I’ve decided to stop drifting because the police were able to take my driving license and it became too risky.
ReplyDeleteWhen I got older and let's say more smart i stopped drifting on the streets, and now drifting is a thing I only do on tracks. :)
Delete1. I've heard about drifting more than once. In Poland there are even drifting courses wich takes part in several biggest cities in Polnad. In Poland there are many events or competitions of this type and for many people it is an integral part of their lives. One would say, that they live only from race to race.
ReplyDelete2. To be honest I don't know, because I've never taken part in It's an adrenaline and fearful sport. You don't quite know how your car will behave, and sometimes it can have minor malfunction and an oversight that can lead to some tragedy. In such a sport it is not difficult to have an accident.
3. I think, that if I had a chance, I'd like to try my hand at the track, but for the beginning I'd have to take a few lessons and overcome my fear to take part in it.
That is the risk, but mostly drifters have control over their cars and they are prepared for things to happen so the driver is safe. :)
DeleteSure, I've heard about drifting! I know this term from movies and games like Gran Turismo or "Tokio Drift". I think that for people interested in motor sports, drifting competitions can be exciting, especially live, but It's not for me, haha. But I would love to try drifting under the guidance of an experienced driver in safe area. For now, my experience is limited to last year's ice rides - I don't recommend! 😂
ReplyDeleteTokio Drift was the best one from the Fast and Furious movies and this is the way i started. And what can i say ice is very tricky on roads :D
DeleteYes, I heard about drifting, but I didn't know that the Japanese invented it. I think for people who love cars it must be exciting to watch drifting. I'm not such a person, although it must look spectacular. Sure, I'd like to try it with a specialist, because it's dangerous. Also, I have some "ice adventures" - I do not recommend 😂 Is it possible to try drifting somewhere on the track in Warsaw?
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of tracks around Poland you can rent for few hours and try your skills. I'm a part of a club which gathers 2 times a year on a track to try our skills.
DeleteOf course I heard about drift, I'm a fan of it! I know all parts fast and furious by heart and this movie is mainly about fast cars and drifting and there is also the movie "race of death" I also recommend watching! My boyfriend always laughs at me that I am a fan of fast cars.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I didn't watch such races live, only in films but if I knew that there is such a thing in Warsaw I would definitely take part in it!
I would love to try my hand at drifting, but I'm afraid for my health and the life of the car: D But sometimes in winter, when there is a lot of snow and it is so cold outside, I sometimes drift on ice :D
I feel sad that due to COVID event in Płock got cancelled because I was planning to go, but still if you want to see one by yourself just check in google, there are a lot of them :D
DeleteOf course i heard about drifting! It seems to me that most of the boys had some contact with it, they certainly heard from colleagues.
ReplyDeleteI'm not enjoying watching drift so much. I definitely like to drift in games. Watching all kinds of sports does not entertain me - except live. I think watching something on TV is a bit of a commitment. When you see something live, it's hard not to experience it.
I would love to try drifting - but here I would need support. I care about it, but I want it to be safe.
That is true that mostly boys do that, I don't know how about your friends, but I've seen a lot of young guys trying to drift in their BMW on the streets, and it it really conserning that a mostly they are not prepared for what can happen.
Delete1. Have you ever heard about drifting?
ReplyDeleteSure thing! As a petrolhead I'm trying to expand my knowledge about cars and whatever is related to them. But to be honest I'm not into it or at least not as separate discipline.
2. Do you think it is fun to watch professional tournaments in drifting?
Anything that entertain you might be fun to watch but personally I'm much more into conventional racing. But at the other hand I'm fully respect that someone might enjoy it and I'm glad that such person can join community that's more into it.
3. Would you consider trying your skills in drifting? (of course on a race track, not on the streets)
Anything that's a combination car and race track - I'm into it! I remember once watching Top Gear with with only true host crew, when Hammond participate in real drifting training and he admit that despite the fact of thousands of hours spent on a race track sliding into corners with many different cars he still struggled to drift properly during the course and it took him whole day of training to finally do it as he should.
Old Top Gear was the best! :D As with a lot of many other things people who want to drift needs to practice if it would be that easy everyone would do that. :)
DeleteHave you ever heard about drifting?
ReplyDeleteYes, I have heard about drifting many times. I have few friends who are soooo into it ;)
Do you think it is fun to watch professional tournaments in drifting?
To be honest, watching professional tournaments in drifting is not a fun for me. I know that for many people it's and exciting type of sport, but for me it's boring after 5 mins (unfortunately).
Would you consider trying your skills in drifting? (of course on a race track, not on the streets)
I believe that my driving skills are enought to provide safe driving and even I love driving a care I would not consider want to tey my skills in drifting - for me it seems to be to risky :)
Under the eye of professional people it wouldn't be so risky. I had a friend with a mindset like that and once she was driving a car and by accident she took a turn sideways. She loved it so much that it is her new hobby now. :D
DeleteI think the effects of the coronavirus will be long-lasting and stretch for many years ahead. I think the probability indicates that a virus that has spread so quickly has got higher chances to appear than the terrorist attack, so I assume the fear of the virus is higher than the fear of terrorism. Before COVID-19 the airports were filled with people even tough the possibility of a terrorist attack was always present. I think people will abstain from public events as long as they are sure they are all safe. At least this is how I imagine people should think about it. Yes, I guess the vaccines will be mandatory and in my opinion governments should definitely implement some restrictions to our everyday lives in order to make us feel safe.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard about drifting?
ReplyDeleteYes, I have heard about drifting. As a kid I used to play a racing video game all the time and drifting was a main part of it. I dreamed about becoming an underground drift king 😊
Do you think it is fun to watch professional tournaments in drifting?
I have seen a drifting stunts and performances several times on different events and I loved it. I think it would be a lot of fun to watch professional tournaments in drifting.
Would you consider trying your skills in drifting? (of course on a race track, not on the streets)
`I would really like to try my skills in drifting. Beside the fact that it must be an exciting experience it also can improve my driving skills by teaching me how to control a slip of the car
I think a lot of people got into drifting while playing racing video games like NFS. And it is not too late to become one! :D
DeleteI've actually wanted to buy my first drift car this year and start this journey. Unfortunately plans have changed a bit, but I'm not saying no to this and will be trying to finally start in upcoming years.
ReplyDeleteI've been to few tournaments but it wasn't as exciting as driving on your own or as a passenger. You're just sitting there and thinking how you would do this corner and why can't you sit there right now behind the wheel. It's exhausting after a while!
As I've said earlier, I want to build my own car and drive with friends. Few already started their journeys what is a great motivation.
I love that you want to build your own car since there is now so many of them on the market. It shows that you have so much passion into that. :)
DeleteI heard about drifting, and saw it once. Great attraction, I would like to try it! I use to watch some races on yt, live is 10000 time better. If I had enough money and time I would like to try this for sure! Drifting can be very useful in real life e.g. when there is rainy or snowy and your tires are slipping, with such skills you will get more chances to drive safe home.
ReplyDeleteI have heard about, but I associate it more with ilegal car
ReplyDeleteracing. Very often you see cars driving in a dangerous manner,
not being obedient about the rules. I think, that it could be
fun, but only in a video game, wheras in real live it is a threat
to safety.
I think it could be fun to match professional tournaments in drifting,
but only from a safe distance.
I would rather not consider trying my skills, as I am not a very
talented driver, so results might not be that great.
I have heard about drifting, but I have never tried it. I'm not an exceptional driver so I don't think I would handle the technical aspect of drifting. It seems to be quite complicated for me, although I enjoy watching and listening to the engine sound. It's really exciting how close drivers approach to each other on a track and I'm amazed how much control they have over their machines. I have never participated in drifting tournament, but I'd like to go if I had a chance. From the videos that you posted those events look really overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteI have heard about drifting, but this topic has never particularly appealed to me. Although as a child I was interested in cars a bit, but never in this regard.
ReplyDeleteI've never watched a drifting tournament, so it's hard for me to say if it's great fun, but it's definitely good entertainment for someone interested in this topic. Unfortunately, I don't know much about it.
I'd rather not try drifting personally. This is not something that excites me somehow.
Yes, I've heard. In my home town tooked place in 2014 Drift Masters Grand Prix. Drifting is a very pleasant field of sport and lifestyle. I was hoping to try driving with an experienced driver who would show me the world of drift.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to watch and even more pleasant to take part in such competition. Although even if this sport is not environment friendly.
Sure, I think about it quite often lately. I'm before the second part of driving test, maybe the first thing I'll try to of course in controlled track (some airport runway). :)
Of course I heard about drifting. I think many people in my age, especially boys, was spending their childhood playing Need for Speed games or watching Fast & Furious movies. I think it is worth seeing, because ability to control a car during a slide which a situation where, due to definition, you have no control, is a great skill and I think it is great to watch it. I don't think I could control any car like that, I'm a driver which prefer long, peaceful cruises than doing tricks.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've heard about drifting before. Actually I learnt about it when I tried to find out what "Tokyo Drift" name means.
ReplyDeleteI think it's quite nice to see but I don't think I could watch it for more than ten minutes. Still, I can see why it has so many fans.
I was thinking about trying to drift once but then I tried gokarts, which I loved and completely forgot about drifting.
Of course I have heard about drifting, who hadn't? Almost every hollywood movie has drifting :).
ReplyDeleteI think tournaments are very fun and interesting. Personally, I have watched one drifting tournament on Netflix.
I don't have a car with rear wheel drive so I think I will not try it soon.
Yes, of course I heard about drift. I think that thanks to movies like Fast and the Furious, most people know what drift is.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy watching car related movies and watching drift gives me a lot of pleasure. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to follow the drift events. In my spare time I sometimes watch drift related movies. The most impressive are those on open streets, which of course I do not approve of. I also love watching movies related to touge drift. When I was a child, I watched every gymkhana about a hundred times :D
I would love to try drift. Currently, I do not have the opportunity, but I believe that with the right motivatio, in the future, I will be able to create one.
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ReplyDeleteYes, I heard about drift, but only from movies. It looks really amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have to see this kind of race someday.
I would love to try. I'm curious how it feels. :D On an ordinary street I would be afraid for my life haha, but my fiance does it regularly in winter.
I have heard about drifting, but never as much as now when I read your presentation :)
ReplyDeleteI think that every sport can be a good show especially when you can watch it live. When I was a child I often watched 'live' motocross competitions with my dad and I still remember the smell of fuel and adrenaline while watching.
Maybe I will try someday, but now it seems too risky for me - I don't think that I have appropriate skills.
Of course i've heard about drifting before. I was fascinated about it when i've watched "Tokyo drift" for the first time. I'm more into muscle cars and drag races. When i changed car i was thinking about "pony car" or "hothatch" but "pony car" was my final decision.
ReplyDeleteI'm from Płock where Drift Masters are organised and i'm regular visitor. It's so much fun to see drifters on the stadium. I tried my self at race track with my friend's customised bmw (cage, hydraulic handbrake etc.) It was great experience but it's really hard to do and professionals are doing it like it would be easy, but its not