my rant on drifting

[fatboy]

i have no idea how this whole drifting thing has gotten to be considred its own motorsport. i mean its cool looking and everything but come on. i dont know, i guess im just kinda tired of people saying "drifting, later" in their away messages. i must just be a hater or something. your thoughs?sorry ahead of time if i dont make sense

[mrflip69]

*thoughts

Yeah, you are a hater. Not just anybody can drift, and while it seems easy to do, you have to realize there is at least some skill behind it.

Maybe it's just irritating to you because of the bandwagon jumpers? The whole attitude and immaturity behind the "typical" drifter seems to turn most people off, myself included. If this is the case, you should know better that they are only in it for the trend/fad.

[240sHorTy]

Ya, I kinda agree. I like whippin' the azz out a little goin' around turns just as much as the next guy, but I don''t drift and I wouldn't become a serious drifter. Everyone likes to hate on the 'ricers' because it's 'all show, no go'. Well step back and look at your hypocracy. What the hell do you think drifting is??? Tear up your car and tires going around a track (or wherever) and the whole point is to 'look pretty'. Sure it takes skill to drift, but it's like the dude that goes on tv and spins plates or some sh*t. Ooohh Ahhh, it looks so cool!... but it's completely useless. You spend mad cash making your car fast, but then waste it drifting around the track instead of perfecting the art of driving and suspension tuning so you can actually be fast. I dig autoX, and I'd like to get into that, but drifting, especially for the largely young, immature, poser crowd that wants to do it - is highly impractical. Bunch of broke azz HS kids talkin' a buncha jive and tryin' to act hard. No thanks. You white, you a punk, you ain't hard. In my years of repo work down in the ghettos of Detroit, I got to see all kinds. Stop kiddin' yourselves. You ain't hard. You ain't sh*t. So get your azz in school and learn some dam'd respect.

Not to 'drift' off subject, but... stop hatin' on ricers anyway. Stock cars are optimized for practical everyday driving. But stock car looks are *ALWAYS* a compromise. Who cares if someone wants to drop a body kit on a stockish car? The gay front bumpers and stock styling is there because of compromises from cost concerns, overall market appeal, safety/regulatory requirements, etc... So if a 'ricer' wants a arguably 'better' looking car that is still practical, why can't they 'rice' it up and not take flak for it? *Absolutely No* car has perfect styling from the factory. Though the 3rd Gen RX7's came close.

Ha, my rant is longer than your rant. Before you get all offended, note that I don't really care... you can drift all day everyday if it makes you happy.

[240sHorTy]

...and mrflip69. What you say - "Not just anybody can drift" - may be true in a purely technical sense. For instance, some mentally challenged people might not be able to drift. Largely, anyone could drift. Noone is born capable of drifting, it is a learned skill. That's how you get skill, with practice. There is nothing particularly daunting about the task of learning it. You just need the right car and some spare time. But, I understand the eliteist in you needs to feel special. Drifting is sooo difficult, that's why every highschool ricer on the planet is doing it.

[Veriest1]

I'll just add that it takes A LOT of skill to drift in a straight line (mangi or whatever it's called) and just swing the back like a pendulmn (sp?) and not swerve all over the place with the front end. I can't do it but I know how it's supposed to be done... sorta. And performing a 4 wheel drift is neat and all but applying it the way rally drivers do is crazy impressive. Many of the pro drifters can this constant varience between understeer and oversteer with the car sideways.

I figure the Formula D stuff is only big because of crashes.

[themadscientist]

like most things that irritate me drifting actually doesn't bother me, it's some of the goofs that are involved with it I can't stand.

"I'm a drifter" so what?

[Red coupe]

Vtec and Ricers....One is bad the other isn't...just because a bunch of idiots pick up on something doesn't mean its bad it just mean there are a bunch of idiots doing it too....

[Slappy]

i do it for me, and me only.

[mrflip69]

...and mrflip69. What you say - "Not just anybody can drift" - may be true in a purely technical sense. For instance, some mentally challenged people might not be able to drift. Largely, anyone could drift. Noone is born capable of drifting, it is a learned skill. That's how you get skill, with practice. There is nothing particularly daunting about the task of learning it. You just need the right car and some spare time. But, I understand the eliteist in you needs to feel special. Drifting is sooo difficult, that's why every highschool ricer on the planet is doing it.

Elitist in me? Please. I don't drift (no money, no time), and even if I did, I would still stick to my guns. If you think what "every highschool ricer on the planet" does is drifting, then you obviously have never seen any professional/competitive drifting.

Show some respect to those guys that have perfected their art. They can be just as meticulous, precise, and skillful as any other motorsport. Some weak *** e-brake power slide is far from drifting. Actually maintaining control of the car and moving it where you want to, all while sideways would be more like it.

Obviously nobody is born with the knowledge/skill to drift, but the same goes for drag racing or taking an apex. You said it yourself, with time and practice, anybody could do it. Well, drifting is no different, so why treat it that way? Just because it's becoming mainstream?

I'm not making those guys out to be gods, but I wouldn't go as far as to say some random kid with a set of wheels can do what D1GP drivers do. That's just plain f*cking stupid. Give credit where it's due, which is the point I'm trying to convey to the original post.

Drifting can be a hobby, and a sport.

"i do it for me, and me only"

Nice.

P.S. Totally agree with you on the ricers. Lay off already, taste is subjective. Not every part on your car has to be functional... if they aren't being sh!tty to you, don't know why you guys have to be sh!tty to them. Don't let a few bad experiences lead you to overgeneralize.

[themadscientist]

I don't do it much because I break things, I am not burdened with fear but complex machines apparently have physical limitations. I used to drift my Opel in high school when it would snow. That was 1989 though, drifting was not a houshold word, we just called it screwing around. Kind of like the same bike riding and skateboarding we did back then is suddenly "extreme"

[Bubba1]

i have no idea how this whole drifting thing has gotten to be considred its own motorsport. i mean its cool looking and everything but come on. i dont know, i guess im just kinda tired of people saying "drifting, later" in their away messages. i must just be a hater or something. your thoughs?sorry ahead of time if i dont make sense

I think skateboarding/bike flipping went thru the same exact phase that drifting is going thru now. Skate boarding/bikeflipping are attractive to kids because they're cheap to get into and "rebellious" in nature. If you recall, Many non skateboarders/bikers were afraid of reckless kids doing stupid dangerous stunts without permission on private property, causing damage, getting hurt followed by suing the property owner. Sound familiar? Skateboarding/Bike Flipping are now televised sports. Drifting is on its way

You may find drifting annoying, but like it or not it's a sport. On the positive side, it has given new life to the 240sx, keeping more of them out of junkyards.

[rudee023]

You white, you a punk, you ain't hard.

In my experience posers come in all colors, not just white.

[sixxdeuce]

You spend mad cash making your car fast, but then waste it drifting around the track instead of perfecting the art of driving and suspension tuning so you can actually be fast.

Are you kidding me? Since when does drifting not involve a high level of suspension tuning and driving skill? Heres a little secret ill let you in on, most highly skilled drivers at drift events are exellent grip drivers as well. Connecting a clean multiple transition run is not that different than turning a good time, both require a fairly precise line to make it happen.

[GhostDriver]

.just because a bunch of idiots pick up on something doesn't mean its bad it just mean there are a bunch of idiots doing it too....

nutshell

[Rosco]

I like drifting. I've liked it ever since I had my first 240sx in '99. When I need tires I go to the junkyard or tire shops give me used ones, so I save money there. To me the idea of drifting isn't just show. To me the idea of drifting is putting the car where you want it and not just reacting to it...I also autox my car too. Both require excellent control so you can hate on drifting all you want, it's not gonna stop me from doing it.....If you drift, autox, drag race or whatever do it for yourself and nobody else. Like I said earlier I don't drift because it's popular, I do it because I like it.

[240sHorTy]

In regards to the 'you white' comment. A little reckless perhaps. Don't wanna look racist here, or reverse racist, or whatever that would make me. The white part's got nothin' to do with it. I live in a very predominantly white area, so the people I was referring to happen to be white, and dress/talk/act like they are urban thugs. It's part of the complete poser lifestyle I guess. It's a phenomenon I really don't understand, because after working in the urban setting, I find 'very' little desireable about it. Stereotypical urban behaviour (the gangsta stuff) is nothing to envy or imitate.

And today I'm feeling a little more open, so I'll say that drifting could be a fun and interesting sport even if it is not 'useful' in a real world sense. Neither really is snowboarding, playing various traditional sports, or most fun activities really. Tell the truth, the reason I don't get into drifting is probably because there is no competitive drifting scene here in Michigan. I like pretty much any competitive enterprise and can get into pretty much anything.

So my new rant subject: Insulting people because they do something that is 'played' or quote 'un-original'. There is very little truly creative out there. Most of us buy products and do things that we see and like. To say that something 'has been done' is irrelevent. The fact that people do things the same, just means that it is a good idea, or is tried and true. Everyone mimics someone; the only truly 'original' is the originator. Everything after is a copy. It is no less original to be the 100,000th person to do something than the 10th or 11th. Un-original is un-original and that's that. I can do something truly original to my car that could plain suck. And someone else could do something played to their car that works/looks good. Why should they take flak for that??? Things that are good become popular. I won't sit here and say that I, or my car are original. Nor will I insult someone for not being original. Most people need to believe they are original, yet rarely are. Insulting someone for not pretending is hypocracy. I hate hypocracy.

I'm pretty sure that made no sense...

[Megadeth]

There is so much techniques and skill involve in dirfting. It's not as big in the states here like it is in Japan, but it's growing. There is 3 main categories of initiation of throwing the car sideways and those are acceleration, deceleration, and weight transfer. Acceleration initiations include power overs, up shifts and clutch kicks. Deceleration initiation include E-brake and down shift (Shift Lock). Weight Transfers initiation are trailbraking, lift throttle, and feints.

All those I listed is what all the professional drifter use to get their car side ways.

[1991S13]

I used to drift back in middle school the way that is not considered a sport - Taking a Camaro out into the field and whipping it sideways. That is the type of drifting that requires no skill.

Drifting on asphalt is a totally different game though. You have to put in major work to get to the level the D1GP guys are at. Sure, the idea of throwing a car sideways and seeing how long you can hold it there may sound stupid, but look further into it. Ever seen a camera inside a drift car? I don't see how their left leg and arm doesn't go numb.

I think people that hate drifting do it partly because it is getting so popular. Like BMX and Skateboarding have people who say oh thats retarded, they are just asking for a broken neck, drifting has haters that do the same thing. I don't do it, don't really like it, but I wouldn't waste my time ranting about how dumb it is because for every one person that backs you up there will be 10 who support it. Why waste your time?

And the ricer thing - yes I agree, let them do their own thing. Everyone picks on them because you can get a couple laughs out of it. The quiet ricers who keep to themselves at stoplights and avoid the ebrake in parking lots are fine with me, its just the ones who act like a**es that make me want to make fun of them.

[fatboy]

*thoughts

Maybe it's just irritating to you because of the bandwagon jumpers? The whole attitude and immaturity behind the "typical" drifter seems to turn most people off, myself included. If this is the case, you should know better that they are only in it for the trend/fad.

i think that is it

[Red coupe]

On the positive side, it has given new life to the 240sx, keeping more of them out of junkyards.

Honestly I think stupid drifto kids have sent more 240's to the junk yards then they have dug out. They may have brought new found popularity and higher prices to the 240 but I would hazard to guess the drift fad has hurt more 240''s then its saved...

[cyrus240sx]

There is so much techniques and skill involve in dirfting. It's not as big in the states here like it is in Japan, but it's growing. There is 3 main categories of initiation of throwing the car sideways and those are acceleration, deceleration, and weight transfer. Acceleration initiations include power overs, up shifts and clutch kicks. Deceleration initiation include E-brake and down shift (Shift Lock). Weight Transfers initiation are trailbraking, lift throttle, and feints.

All those I listed is what all the professional drifter use to get their car side ways.

or you pretty much took that all from the Drift Bible, which I believe almost everyone who owns a 240sx has, or has at least watched(myself included, that white s14 is teh hotness!)....

but seriously, if you think about it almost everyone likes seeing cars go sideways (at least as an entertainment standpoint).... i mean there have been examples of cars "drifting" in pretty much every form of entertainment- sports(WRC and now D1), video games(gran turismo), movies (almost all of the driving in dukes of hazzard you could call drifting), TV shows, etc...

its no wonder that it became a motorsport, but i still believe watching D1 to find out who is the best drifter is pointless, because its still way too subjective...

personally i think nascar is more pointless than drifting..... why do so many ppl wanna see cars go around in a big circle for half the day? i mean all the cars are pretty much the same, they are all built the same, they have nothing in common with the car company thats on their fibreglass body , and they all go the same speed.

at least the drift cars are modified cars bought from a dealership....

[Megadeth]

you pretty much took that all from the Drift Bible, which I believe almost everyone who owns a 240sx has, or has at least watched(myself included, that white s14 is teh hotness!)....

Yup... I don't have a 240sx but I really want one in the near future.

[mrflip69]

Nascar = bumpercars

[sensibleS13driver]

Nascar is more difficult than it appears, I mean, it must be, right?

i do it for me, and me only.

[Chingon]

Sure is. The gravity pulls and amount of water lost in a race make it even harder.

It still sucks to watch it. So does f1 in my opinion...

I guess it's one of those sports you have to be there to appreciate??

[cyrus240sx]

yeah... most professional racing im not a fan of... just based on the fact that they use purpose built race cars- something i will never drive...

[Anand]

untill you actually go out there in your own car and actually TRY to drift... don't knock it.

period

[Red coupe]

yeah right trying to drift is easy its the drifting well part that is hard. You know not just stepping on the gas in 1 and turning...

[drifter_for_life06]

hence my handle yes i do

yes i am not Drifet X or remotely close

Yes its fun

the thing is the majority of the people that say tehy "drift" arent even actualyl drifting....maybe a power slide here and there but thats it

i would go on but im tired hot and this subjet just gets me heated sometimes

[574-240sx]

I have no problem with drifting, I live for it. For example, people who own camaros, not all owners drag race. There are some people who are good and some people who try. I want to be a drift racer for life, not really. I'm a amateur and concider myself decent. There is so much skill involved that not even the average car person can understand the skill involved yet alone a beginner to the drifting world. I confident on 3rd gear stuff and can link a course pretty decently. I have problems with clipping points and speed because I usually have too much angle.