ZeroToSixty

Some friends and I rented the drift pad at Summit Point Raceway to have some big fun spinning tires and sliding sideways.

It is about the most fun you can have with clothes on.

beboggled

That looks like so much fun!

TheoZ

What??? Are you Crazy? You drove in the rain????


Seriously, that does look like like great fun.
I'd like to do it.

randyfl

That did look like a lot of fun. great job also!!

Monkey D. Luffy

renegad44

Johnz02Z06

Have a look at the "strong" opinions on the drifting post I put up....

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ting-a-c5.html

ZeroToSixty

I read though the comments and the lack of understanding is expected to some degree,......the average age of a Corvette owner is 40 or so and they prefer more traditional forms of driving skill (road and drag racing).

But those who try it and gain any proficiency at it,.... find it one of the most satisfying experiences they have ever had in a car. I like road racing and drag racing quite a bit and participate as much as possible, but when it comes down to spending money for a day of fun, wet track drifting is fabulous. The wet track makes it easier to perform complicated maneuvers and the tires are not gone in 3 runs.

Don't let anyone tell you that this activity is a foreign invention.
Actually "drifting" was born in the US in the mid 50's and early 60's when V8 cars were able to spin their rear tires pretty easily due to the tremendous amount of torque produced. Hot Rodders (especially on the west coast) would use empty parking lots to do "brodies" or doughnuts using all the same skills that the "Fast and Furious" crowd claims they invented. It just wasn't a organized sport with a name and a following. It was just guys having fun in low traction conditions in a setting where the police would generally leave them alone.

Foreign vehicles (outside of a few very expensive exotics) just were not powerful enough for such fun during that time period.

I say try it you will like it,.............and the Corvette is an excellent car for this type of endeavor.

knewblewkorvette

Looks like some fun being done while still being safe.

callie454

I went to a FATT event at Summit Point last year. Had the best time! Included in the day's activities was some seat time in a 9C1 Caprice (ex-cop car). At one point, as I was drifting that big white barge, the instructor asked "Where'd you learn how to drift like this?" I replied, " I watch a lot of Top Gear..."

Great way to spend a Friday.

Raiku898

Awesome!!! I have been trying to find a place for just this sort of thing. (skidpad/ practicing getting it out of sorts) Definitely looks like fun.

1BADAZ50TH

Looks like big time fun. Reminds me of have fun in my big block Chevelle many moons ago. We used to pray for rain in SoCal.

Jistari

I dont care what anyone says, that looks like fun and probably a very worthwhile skill to have.

ZeroToSixty

Fun ? It is beyond fun,........It is hard to describe for someone who has not tried it (even as a passenger).

I would say it is a combination of the best rollercoaster, a basic burnout in your average hotrod, the sideways G forces of the "Scrambler" ride at the carnival and the confidence that is had when you have complete control of your car. FUN.

Plus, using a wet track, it is relatively safe because of the low speeds, does not eat your tires up like a dry track and does not require the use of a helmet.

They may have something here.

renegad44

I've known a few LEO organizations where I am that trained in drifting with cruisers....they classified it under their driving program. I've gone to their driving course in NOE and participated.....I like it more on wet roadways...

I think it's fun, just as doing "donuts." To clarify, remember, it's YOUR car, if you like it, do it, if you tear it up, at least you had fun!!

ZeroToSixty

Our original instructor was an FBI Supervisor and a master driver, having a professional give tips and explain best practices for vehicle control was worth every penny we paid to attend.

You can have the best, fastest and most well sorted car on the road, but if you don't know how to drive it,..........it is embarrassing dicotomy.

leadfoot4

Where I live, we don't call it drifting....we call it dealing with snow covered roads, 3 months a year.

Cosmic Charlie

Ditto

just watch out for the wire cables that hold up telephone poles (they come down on a angle), & they're nearly invisible until your rear quarter catches one - my 442 with posi went up the cable and got caught on the cable retainer nut, and was hanging 3' in the air - cop came by and just smirked ! after putting a bunch of cinder blocks under the jack I got her down & I had a new rear quarter put on ...

I'm better at it now with my posi rear end pick up !

f6john

I would think that drifting began on the dirt tracks all around America. They have been drifting door handle to door handle for over 50 years.

o2bnkc

Gotta agree with ya there.