let go when side ways!!

[Sponge Bob]

Letting go of the wheel may be a sin in the BSM training book, but it's a good way of manipulating the cars weight to adjust the steering faster than any driver can...

We're not talking about driving around town here, so if you hit a rut, and it steers slightly off course on a track, it's no biggy - you just don't get the best line.

Some may argue that when you let go of the wheel you're "not in control" but in my book that's absolute twoddle, not in control is where you lose steering ability through mechanical failure - not slipping a steering wheel.

Also, would someone care to explain why it's "bad technique"?

[Aidy]

Also, would someone care to explain why it's "bad technique"?

Cos you don't know what way the wheels are facing.

[Johnny G]

that way *points*

[Sponge Bob]

Also, would someone care to explain why it's "bad technique"?

Cos you don't know what way the wheels are facing.

That's not an explanation of why it's a bad technique... that's merely a symptom of slipping the wheel??

I don't rely on where my hands are to know which way the wheels are facing - I know from the cars movement which way the wheels are facing, plus I know where they're facing from my direction and velocity figures when I slip the wheel, as I know where the wheels will swing to based on them!

It's just one of those things people like to say is a bad technique because it goes against what we were supposed to learn on the "driving test". If the book says not to do it, then it must be bad technique!!!!

[Bibbs]

You forget Aidy has a car that drives itself. He never knows where the wheels are pointing

[Aidy]

I don't rely on where my hands are to know which way the wheels are facing

Which is why you have bad driving technique.

I know from the cars movement which way the wheels are facing

So you have a car that never understeers? When the car is spinning and you "let go" you know where they are pointing at all times?

It's just one of those things people like to say is a bad technique because it goes against what we were supposed to learn on the "driving test". If the book says not to do it, then it must be bad technique!!!!

Not at all, knowing what direction your tyres are pointing is a rather fundamental part of driving, something you can only know with your hands on the wheel. If you look at the design of any sporty wheel you'll see hooks at 9/3 for you to hold with your thumbs. They are there for a reason.

[eatdrinkfeck]

aidey, you gonna let bibbs get away with that lol!

your getting mellow in your old age...

[Aidy]

aidey, you gonna let bibbs get away with that lol!

He need to look at his face in the mirror every day. I think that is punishment enough.

[Bibbs]

He need to look at his face in the mirror every day. I think that is punishment enough.

I'm glad you think I'm unattractive Aidy. Maybe I'll be one of the lucky boys that you'll not try and touch this year.

At least I can look in the bathroom mirror, without needing a step ladder.

[Bender Unit]

Yes a lot of them do, though that still doesn't make it a good technique. Interestingly the Drift King doesn't use that technique.

Sorry L, but if you want to drift properly (i.e not gooning out of a bend) then the only way is to let the wheel go (initially). It winds on the lock far quicker (depending on how much angle you need) then you could ever do and then as it goes you can catch the wheel to control the angle and lock to manipulate the car in the bend.

When I am out drifting I will litterally clutch kick to get the car sideways and just let the wheel slide out of my hands then catch it as I see fit to change the angle. After a couple of attempts it becomes very natural knowing what direction the wheels are in.

If you try and maintain grip on the wheel you wont drift, and just end up thrashing about then probably spin.

Get down to a day at Zoyalnd when the 86 lads are out, happy to oblige with rides and the like.

[Lauren]

That's not an explanation of why it's a bad technique... that's merely a symptom of slipping the wheel??

I don't rely on where my hands are to know which way the wheels are facing - I know from the cars movement which way the wheels are facing, plus I know where they're facing from my direction and velocity figures when I slip the wheel, as I know where the wheels will swing to based on them!

It's just one of those things people like to say is a bad technique because it goes against what we were supposed to learn on the "driving test". If the book says not to do it, then it must be bad technique!!!!

Most of what you learn on the driving test especially feeding the wheel is bad technique. Letting go of the wheel is okay when you are 'drifting' around cones but its not so good at higher speeds.

[Lauren]

Sorry L, but if you want to drift properly (i.e not gooning out of a bend) then the only way is to let the wheel go (initially). It winds on the lock far quicker then you could ever do and then as it goes you can catch the wheel to control the angle and lock to manipulate the car in the bend.

When I am out drifting I will litterally clutch kick to get the car sideways and just let the wheel slide out of my hands then catch it as I see fit to change the angle. After a couple of attempts it becomes very natural knowing what direction the wheels are in.

If you try and maintain grip on the wheel you wont drift, and just end up thrashing about then probably spin.
Aidy, your chatting the xxxx ... like usual.

I've tried the letting go of the wheel method when drifting. It has its place and is fine at lower speeds, not necessary at all though at higher speeds.

[Quigonjay]

strange nobody has mentioned that d1 cars have an increased steering lock so there is no way you could keep hold of the wheel and go lock to lock
i dont know why they have it, but they do

[Bender Unit]

I've tried the letting go of the wheel method when drifting. It has its place and is fine at lower speeds, not necessary at all though at higher speeds.

Dunno L, you will find nearly every drifter does this. Obviously its angle dependent as if you dont need major angle then you dont need a much lock but its the technique to use. Even at high speed - check Ueo being a god, notice how he lets go of the wheel to get the angle - he gabs the wheel to control the angle and the drift.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kjaxez9OIX8

strange nobody has mentioned that d1 cars have an increased steering lock so there is no way you could keep hold of the wheel and go lock to lock i dont know why they have it, but they do

More lock means you can get more angle, more angle looks better in the drift, as you can go more sideways before you spin. As drifting is rated on angle, speed, clipping points, its why they increase the angle.

Through increasing the angle it usually always result in quicker steering as well.

I have done the same on mine.

[Lauren]

Also depends on the car to an extent James. I've tried the letting go method in an eight-six and yep, it works fine. I know what you mean about it making it easier to get bigger angles and for sure if you don't let go of the wheel there is a limit to how much you lock you can get on smoothly and quickly.

However, for example trying this in a caterham is a bit of a no, no (as a friend of mine found out), i think this may have something to do with its lightweight though.

I guess also it comes down to a question of commitment and at higher speeds it becomes a question of bottle to let go of the wheel. Also at higher speeds you don't need as much of an angle to make it look good if that makes sense.

[Bender Unit]

But depending on the severity of the corner you potentially do need the angle even when going quickly. Angle is one of the things judges look out for when they watch drifting competitions, as well as speed and clipping points. So regardless of speed it still just as important to get big angle where possible even if you are doing high speed. If you watch interior footage of drift competitions – even on moderate bends at high speed they still let the wheel go.

If the car isn’t set up for drifting (and TBH a Caterham wont be) then its not surprising it would spin out. Whilst Caterhams can manage a bit of power over and go sideways coming out of a bend that’s not the same as going into a bend sideways, and if you want to do that you have to let the wheel go.

[Lauren]

If the car isn’t set up for drifting (and TBH a Caterham wont be) then its not surprising it would spin out. Whilst Caterhams can manage a bit of power over and go sideways coming out of a bend that’s not the same as going into a bend sideways, and if you want to do that you have to let the wheel go.

You can though easily go into a bend sideways in a caterham, simply by braking into the corner. See my Avatar.

[Negativvv]

Ive had my hand at this whole drifting business in a previous car (doubt its possible for anyone but a driving god in a mk1 na without an lsd) but word of warning on letting go of the wheel!!

Did some nice opposite lock in an old car of mine and let go of the wheel for the thing to centre, basically caught my thumb in one the 10-2 thumb grips as the wheel was spinning!! Big OWWWWWWWWW but had no time to acknowledge the pain as i had to grab the wheel and make frantic adjustments. Saved the car from spinning off into anything but still

[sadako]

I gather drift cars are also often set up with very high cambers to make the wheel centre faster as well.

[Lauren]

I gather drift cars are also often set up with very high cambers to make the wheel centre faster as well.

I'm guessing its more castor that is a factor.