Drifting

What is drifting?

Drifting is controlled oversteer through a corner. The rear slides wide while the driver manages the drift angle with steering, throttle and brake. Unlike a spin, a drift is fully under control – the driver decides when it starts and when it ends.

How it works

To drift, the rear tyres have to lose grip. The options: a power drift (plenty of throttle in a rear-wheel-drive car), a handbrake drift (a short pull on the handbrake) or a lift-off drift (releasing the throttle abruptly). The car rotates about its vertical axis while the front wheels point where you want to go. Opposite lock keeps the drift stable.

Drifting on a track day

Drifting is a display of control, not a speed tool – every degree of slide costs lap time. It still belongs in a good driver's repertoire: anyone who can drift knows where the limit of the car is and can catch unwanted oversteer. Some ESC track days include drift modules.

Learn to drift with ESC

On ESC drift programmes you learn controlled drifting in rear-wheel-drive Porsche models in a safe environment. Professional coaches take you through the technique, from the first slide to a controlled drift line. Book a drift training.