Drifting is a driving technique that involves intentionally oversteering the car to make it slide sideways through corners. It originated in Japan in the 1970s and has since become a popular motorsport around the world. Drifting requires a high level of skill and control, as well as a deep understanding of car dynamics and physics.
In this article, we will cover the basics of drifting and how drifting games can be a great way for kids and adults to get started with sim drifting.
The Physics of Drifting
Drifting is all about controlling the car’s weight transfer and tire grip to make it slide sideways through corners. The technique involves inducing oversteer by shifting the weight of the car towards the rear wheels, which causes the front wheels to lose grip and the rear wheels to gain grip.
The driver then uses the throttle and steering inputs to maintain the slide and control the car’s trajectory through the corner. Although this can be difficult to “feel” in drifting games, you’ll be surprised just how realistic many of them feel.
To understand the physics of drifting, it is important to understand the concept of traction. Traction is the force that allows the tires to grip the road surface and propel the car forward. When a car is drifting, it is intentionally reducing traction on the front wheels and increasing traction on the rear wheels, which allows it to slide through corners.
Drifting Techniques
There are several different techniques that drivers can use to initiate and maintain a drift. The most common technique is the “feint” or “scandinavian flick”, which involves quickly turning the car in the opposite direction of the turn before turning back into the corner.
This sudden change in direction shifts the weight of the car towards the rear wheels, inducing oversteer and allowing the car to slide through the corner.
Another technique is the “clutch kick“, which involves quickly depressing the clutch pedal and then releasing it to induce oversteer. This technique can be particularly effective in low-grip situations, such as wet or icy roads.
Drifting Games
They are a popular genre of racing games that simulate the experience of drifting. These games allow players to control a virtual car and perform drifts on a variety of tracks and environments.
Drifting games are ideal for kids and adults looking to get into sim drifting, as they provide a safe and cost-effective way to practice and improve their skills.
There are many different drifting games available, ranging from simple browser-based games to complex simulators that require specialized hardware. Some popular games include “Drift Hunters”, “Assetto Corsa”, “Forza Horizon 4”, and “Dirt Rally 2.0”.
These games offer a range of cars, tracks, and customization options, as well as realistic physics and graphics that accurately simulate the experience of drifting.
The Benefits of Drifting Games
They offer a range of benefits for both kids and adults looking to get into sim drifting. They provide a safe and cost-effective way to practice and improve drifting skills, without the risk of damage to the car or injury to the driver.
It also offers a way to experience the thrill of drifting in a controlled environment, without the need for specialized equipment or facilities.
In addition to the practical benefits, they can also be a lot of fun. They provide a way to compete against other players from around the world, and to experiment with different cars, tracks, and techniques. It can help to develop hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and strategic thinking skills.
How to Improve Your Drifting Skills in Drifting Games
These games are not only fun and entertaining, but they can also help you improve your drifting skills in real life. Here are some tips to help you get better at drifting in drifting games:
Practice, practice, practice
The more you play drifting games, the better you will become at drifting. Spend time practicing different techniques, trying different cars, and learning different tracks. The more time you spend playing, the more comfortable you will become with the game mechanics and the better you will be at drifting.
Learn the basics
Understanding the basics of drifting is crucial to becoming a better drifter. Start by understanding the difference between oversteer and understeer, and how to initiate a drift. Learn how to control your speed and angle of drift, and how to maintain your drift. Knowing these basics will help you improve your skills and become a better drifter in both drifting games and real life.
Experiment with different cars
Different cars handle differently, and it’s important to understand the characteristics of each car in order to become a better drifter. Try out different cars in drifting games and see how they handle.
Pay attention to things like weight distribution, horsepower, and torque. The more you understand how different cars handle, the better you will be at adapting to different situations when drifting.
Study real-life drifting
Watching real-life drifting can give you a better understanding of how to drift in drifting games. Pay attention to the way professional drifters initiate and maintain their drifts, and how they control their speed and angle. You can learn a lot from watching professional drifting and apply those techniques to your drifting games.
Join a community
There are many online communities and forums dedicated to drifting and drifting games. Joining these communities can give you access to valuable information and resources, as well as the opportunity to connect with other drifters and learn from their experiences.
Conclusion
Drifting games are a great way to get into sim drifting and improve your skills. They offer a fun and safe environment to practice drifting techniques, experiment with different cars, and learn the basics of drifting. With the right mindset and dedication, you can use them to improve your skills and become a better drifter in both virtual and real-life situations.
