Novice Driver Needs Help... Kinda Drifting
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 344
Likes: 14
From: Minneapolis MN
Novice Driver Needs Help... Kinda Drifting
So I am a fairly new Corvette owner and I have a long driveway/private drive that leads to the main county road (I live out in farmland) Anyway, there is a turn in the driveway that I find paticularly enjoyable and as I drive in and out I gradually have increased my speed over time. I am entering around 20mph so not fast.
As I have increased speed I am now at the point where the back end starts to break loose (which I think is awesome). I take traction control off in preparation for this turn just so I can achieve this. Once the back starts to go I usually get scared like a little girl and lift off the throttle which, rather violently, stops the slide and I can continue on my way.
I would like to know how to do this smoothly. When the back starts to slide should I "slightly" pull off on the gas? My goal is to become good at this slide to the point where it is very smooth, in control, and looks like I was doing it on purpose. I drive a 2000 Vert with an AUTOMATIC transmission. Keep in mind that this is a private driveway and there are no other cars and plenty of run off if things go bad.
Thanks guys
As I have increased speed I am now at the point where the back end starts to break loose (which I think is awesome). I take traction control off in preparation for this turn just so I can achieve this. Once the back starts to go I usually get scared like a little girl and lift off the throttle which, rather violently, stops the slide and I can continue on my way.
I would like to know how to do this smoothly. When the back starts to slide should I "slightly" pull off on the gas? My goal is to become good at this slide to the point where it is very smooth, in control, and looks like I was doing it on purpose. I drive a 2000 Vert with an AUTOMATIC transmission. Keep in mind that this is a private driveway and there are no other cars and plenty of run off if things go bad.
Thanks guys
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
It looks like your C5 doesn't have active handling. What year is it. With active handling, your C5 would theoretically correct itself by applying the brakes to whichever corner is necessary. Without active handling, you may have to turn your steering wheel opposite the car's rotation. I rarely drive on dirt roads, so I/m not exactly an expert at sliding, although I'm sure others will chime in.......
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 344
Likes: 14
From: Minneapolis MN
Just to clarify: the car does have active handling/ traction control but I turn it off for this turn. Also, as stated in OP, the car is a 2000 automatic. The driveway is paved too, not gravel.
I understand the concept of turning the wheel opposite of where the car is sliding my question is really targeted at what I need to be doing with the gas. If I stay on it the car will continue to spin, no good. If I completely lift the car stops sliding rather harshly as the tires immediately regain traction. I want to know what I can do with the throttle to get a smooth slide going through out the turn and a smooth/gentle exit too.
Just having some fun in the Vette, no hard core Tokyo Drift stuff here.
I understand the concept of turning the wheel opposite of where the car is sliding my question is really targeted at what I need to be doing with the gas. If I stay on it the car will continue to spin, no good. If I completely lift the car stops sliding rather harshly as the tires immediately regain traction. I want to know what I can do with the throttle to get a smooth slide going through out the turn and a smooth/gentle exit too.
Just having some fun in the Vette, no hard core Tokyo Drift stuff here.
