Drifting Safety Tips
Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 3:21 am
#1: Don't ever try anything remotely resembling car control on a trafficked road. Scout your locations before you start screwing around on them. The best driving times are between 2 and 5 am, on a weekday (not Friday).
#2: Drive your road at least ONCE before you start practicing.
Keep an eye out for obstructions, road conditions, wildlife, etc.
#3: Drive with the windows down, listen for other cars.
#4: Buy a rollbar, and a helmet.
#5: I really recommend getting some AutoX/track experience before practicing on your own.
You'll save the money you spent in new car parts/medical bills/god knows what.
#6: Don't practice if theres alot of dirt, sand, or debris on the road.
#7: Know how fast and how much you can push your car.
#8: Try and get some overall good suspension and L.S.D. Its not a must but its good to have.
#9: Check your Tire Air and Pressure.
#10: Don't drift when your mad or upset in any way.
#11: If your trying to impress friends at night. Don't do it. You might get over confident and some thing might happen.
#12: If you can try to do drifting on a track course.
Its expensive but it will be less expensive if you ever get caught by the cops.
#13: If possible go practice with someone else (If your just learning go with someone experienced).
#14: If drifting around blind curves it would help to have someone signal you (or alert you via a two-way radio) if anything comes up around the corner that could interfere with the drift.
#15: If your not feeling it don't try it.
#16: Safety FOERST. No matter how bad you want to go out and practice always take into consideration road conditions, weather, etc...
#17: Always be in the right frame of mind and never lose focus.
#18: Keep your car properly maintained. Don't skimp out on things like alignments, tires changes, fluid changes, etc.
You're car HAS to be in perfect shape.
#19: Check the conditions of all four tires EACH TIME before you go out.
Check for tread wear, small rips, tire pressure, nails, etc.
#20: Bring a cell phone and tell someone where you're going.
#21: If you have bright foglights(70w+) use them instead of your headlights.
You can see other headlight beams ahead on blindcorners better.
#22: Respect the road - you'll lose it when you least expect it... the best drivers in the world lose it, so can you.
Even monkeys fall from trees.
#23: Recognize the difference between driving and drifting/racing.
Drive safely on normal roads and dont attract attention to yourself - save it for the drift/race session.
#24: Never go out when something is wrong with your car. Pay attention for weird noises, sounds, smells, etc.
#25: Always let faster drivers pass...
#26: Don't harass other drivers on the road. You don't own the road, so keep in mind that residents/travelers may hold you up on the road. If you cause them grief, they're more likely to complain to the police. Besides, its not cool if you can't feel safe driving to your own home, so think of others.
#27: Road flares come in handy.
#28: NEVER slam on the brakes when ur car starts to get sideways. Some beginners who arent used to RWD driving/drifting can panic when getting sideways for the FOERST time and try to stop the car with the brakes...
it's the worst thing you can do.
#29: Don't crash into stuff when you are going really really fast.
#30: Keep your eyes open and BOTH hands on the steering wheel at all times.
#31: Start out at slower speeds. Become comfortable with these speed and then start going faster.
If you mess up at lower speed your more likely to be ok.
#32: Find a big flat dirt area or large open parking lot if possible.
It this will help you get used to how your car will react when in over steer and how to control it.
#33: Have money in the bank for in case you do blow a strut, bend a wheel, or damage your car.
Be prepared to spend money on repairing your car.
If anyone has any thing to add to this post it up! safety is a key issue for everyone to think about when going out drifting. So have fun and be safe!
#2: Drive your road at least ONCE before you start practicing.
Keep an eye out for obstructions, road conditions, wildlife, etc.
#3: Drive with the windows down, listen for other cars.
#4: Buy a rollbar, and a helmet.
#5: I really recommend getting some AutoX/track experience before practicing on your own.
You'll save the money you spent in new car parts/medical bills/god knows what.
#6: Don't practice if theres alot of dirt, sand, or debris on the road.
#7: Know how fast and how much you can push your car.
#8: Try and get some overall good suspension and L.S.D. Its not a must but its good to have.
#9: Check your Tire Air and Pressure.
#10: Don't drift when your mad or upset in any way.
#11: If your trying to impress friends at night. Don't do it. You might get over confident and some thing might happen.
#12: If you can try to do drifting on a track course.
Its expensive but it will be less expensive if you ever get caught by the cops.
#13: If possible go practice with someone else (If your just learning go with someone experienced).
#14: If drifting around blind curves it would help to have someone signal you (or alert you via a two-way radio) if anything comes up around the corner that could interfere with the drift.
#15: If your not feeling it don't try it.
#16: Safety FOERST. No matter how bad you want to go out and practice always take into consideration road conditions, weather, etc...
#17: Always be in the right frame of mind and never lose focus.
#18: Keep your car properly maintained. Don't skimp out on things like alignments, tires changes, fluid changes, etc.
You're car HAS to be in perfect shape.
#19: Check the conditions of all four tires EACH TIME before you go out.
Check for tread wear, small rips, tire pressure, nails, etc.
#20: Bring a cell phone and tell someone where you're going.
#21: If you have bright foglights(70w+) use them instead of your headlights.
You can see other headlight beams ahead on blindcorners better.
#22: Respect the road - you'll lose it when you least expect it... the best drivers in the world lose it, so can you.
Even monkeys fall from trees.
#23: Recognize the difference between driving and drifting/racing.
Drive safely on normal roads and dont attract attention to yourself - save it for the drift/race session.
#24: Never go out when something is wrong with your car. Pay attention for weird noises, sounds, smells, etc.
#25: Always let faster drivers pass...
#26: Don't harass other drivers on the road. You don't own the road, so keep in mind that residents/travelers may hold you up on the road. If you cause them grief, they're more likely to complain to the police. Besides, its not cool if you can't feel safe driving to your own home, so think of others.
#27: Road flares come in handy.
#28: NEVER slam on the brakes when ur car starts to get sideways. Some beginners who arent used to RWD driving/drifting can panic when getting sideways for the FOERST time and try to stop the car with the brakes...
it's the worst thing you can do.
#29: Don't crash into stuff when you are going really really fast.
#30: Keep your eyes open and BOTH hands on the steering wheel at all times.
#31: Start out at slower speeds. Become comfortable with these speed and then start going faster.
If you mess up at lower speed your more likely to be ok.
#32: Find a big flat dirt area or large open parking lot if possible.
It this will help you get used to how your car will react when in over steer and how to control it.
#33: Have money in the bank for in case you do blow a strut, bend a wheel, or damage your car.
Be prepared to spend money on repairing your car.
If anyone has any thing to add to this post it up! safety is a key issue for everyone to think about when going out drifting. So have fun and be safe!
