New to drifting?
Start
here.
What do you need to know as a beginner? To begin drifting, you only need a few basic things. Here’s the rundown straight from Kris.
The basics
A few basics.
That’s it.
To begin drifting, you need a few basic things.
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A rear-wheel-drive car.
A rear-wheel-drive (RWD) car is the best platform. Some people buy a RWD car, some convert an all-wheel-drive car to two-wheel drive, and others use trucks.
If you’re using a truck, it must be a relatively small truck (short bed, single cab) and modified to lower the center of gravity. A lifted, long, large truck will not do.
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A helmet.
Snell SA2020, or the newer SA2025, is preferred. A quick Google search will tell you what these SA ratings mean.
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Tires.
At first you can use used tires you get from anywhere. As your skill improves and your car makes more power, a drift-specific tire is highly recommended: preferably high grip in the front and moderate to high grip in the rear.
Several factors can change what you run. It all depends on your car and setup.
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A working, maintained car.
Run through your car and make sure there are no loose suspension components, all your fluids have been serviced, and the car is in basic running order. (Crazy, right?)
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Be at least 16.
Be at least 16 years old. Younger drivers can still get out there:
16–17Permission slipA guardian permission slip must be signed.
14–15Special provisionsCan drive with some special provisions. Talk to Kris first.
One more thing: register through NASA. Every driver signs up through NASA before the event. That’s what covers the insurance. The How to Register page walks you through it.
Popular platforms
What most people drive.
Most drift cars these days are one of these. The reason: parts are plentiful, and these platforms are relatively cheap to get into.
- 350Z / 370Z
- Mustangs of all types
- Corvettes (C5 and C6)
- ’80s and ’90s rear-wheel-drive Japanese cars: 240SXs, RX-7s and Lexuses of varying flavors
Optional
First mods.
Of course, a few car modifications are suggested to make the experience more enjoyable. Again, these are suggestions. Modifications are definitely not needed your first or even second time out trying to drift.
Those are the basics and the first mods we’d recommend.
Suggested first mods
- Modified steering knuckles
- Limited-slip differential
- Coilovers
- Racing seat
- Handbrake
Your first day
How a drift day goes.
Same clock every round. Show up early, tech early, then drive.
- 7–8AMSetup
Roll in, unload, find a pit spot. Say hi. Everyone was new once.
- 8–9AMTech
Hand in your tech sheet. The inspector checks the car and stickers your windshield.
- 9–9:30Driver meeting
Mandatory. The course, the rules, the run groups, the flags.
- 9:30–10Media meeting
If you brought a photographer or a drone, this is their briefing.
- 10–5Drift
Seat time. Start slow, learn the course, link it, then chase your friends.
Come hang out
Talk to the drivers.
Beyond that, come out, talk to the drivers and hang out. We’re a very easy group of people to get along with and get to know.