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Drifter Magazine is dedicated to the Drifting. We feature editorial articles about how to drift and about drifting techniques. We cover automotive events that focus on drifting. And we do product features on performance parts you can use to modify your drifter car. For questions or comments about our online magazine

Corollas Going Sideways!

One of the most popular cars to drift in is the rear wheel drive Toyota Corolla, model year range 1984-1987. This generation of Corolla is also known to as the Hachi Roku.

One reason people like to drift in these cars is that they are relatively inexpensive. This is important because when it comes to drifting, especially for a beginner, it’s probable that the car is going to get banged up! After all, drifting is basically sliding, and your first several times sliding around in the car will be hard to control. So you’ll hit some curbs, to say the least.

A good place to go for Corolla parts or Toyota parts in general is Andy’s Auto Sport. (make the underlined parts be functional links)

Judgment Day | October 16th – 17th

The Final Battle for the Formula DRIFT Championship

The Toyota Speedway at Irwindale is known as the “House of Drift.” The legendary drifting venue gave drifting in the U.S it’s roots and is often referred to as the “birthplace” of American drifting.

The Formula DRIFT Championship is often decided at the final event of the season and drivers must battle one last time to earn the coveted title of Formula DRIFT champion. The track is the home track for most of the drivers and each year the competition grows more intense. The infamous course is challenging and exciting utilizing part of the short oval track and many inside turns.

The drivers will put it all on the line and fight one last time in front of thousands of screaming fans, but there can only be one Formula DRIFT Champion.

Strobe Lights

Flashing lights and bright colors would look great on a drifting car. Drifting more than a “race” is a spectacular show, which will incorporate many aspects of motor sports that are exciting and exhilarating. While circuit races, time attacks, quarter mile races look for grip and staying planted on the road. Drifting overpowers grip with brute force and makes the car handle in an uncontrollable manner that under good skills can actually be handled.

SOUTHEAST DRIFT 2010 Schedule – Turner Field

TURNER FIELD 2010 SCHEDULE
Registration will open one month prior to event.

• February 27th
“Pants on the Ground”

• April 10th
SEDC3 @ Turner

• May 9th
Triple Threat 3 Round 1

• June 12th
Triple Threat 3 Round 2

• July 10th
Triple Threat 3 Round 3

• August 21st
Practice

• September 18th
SEDC4

• October
TBA Practice

• November
TBA Practice

2010 FORMULA DRIFT SCHEDULE

2010 FORMULA DRIFT SCHEDULE
(TENTATIVE SCHEDULE) FORMULA D 2010

1-(CORRECTION) APRIL 9-10th, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
2-MAY 7-8th, ROAD ATLANTA, GEORGIA
3-JUNE 4-5th, WALL SPEEDWAY, NEW JERSEY
4-JULY 9-10th, EVERGREEN SPEEDWAY, WASHINGTON
5-AUG 20-21th, LAS VEGAS,NEVADA
6-September 10-11th INFINEON RACEWAY, CALIFORNIA
7-OCT 8-9th, IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY, CALIORNIA

XDC Las Vegas

Upcoming Spocom Schedule

SPOCOM SUPER SHOW
Long Beach Convention Center
300 Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90802

Sunday, July 18th, 2010
11:00am-6:00pm

SpoCom Hawaii
Blaisdell Center in Honolulu
777 Ward Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96814

Saturday, August 28th, 2010
3:00pm-11:00pm

How to Heel-Toe Downshift for Better Drifting

When you are approaching a turn and you are getting ready to drift around the turn, you will need to down shift to make your rear tires break loose, while also keeping your RPM level constant, so your wheels keep spinning and eventually slide around the turn.  One way to combine both of these movements together is to learn how to heel-toe downshift.

Benefits of Heel-Toe Down Shifting

Heel-toe down shifting allows the driver to keep the vehicle from shifting weight to the front, by eliminating the time between gears and minimizing the breaking needed to begin the drift.  This process also decreases the chances of having wheels lock up and missing the drift completely.

How to Heel-Toe Downshift

To begin the heel-toe downshift, you must first know that the entire motion is continuous.  Even though it may seem like a long process when you are reading it, both feet are actually moving and performing actions to downshift in less than a second.

You must begin by heading towards the corner and approaching the breaking point, where you will begin the drift.  As soon as you reach the breaking point, right before the corner, quickly press the break with the toes on your right foot.  You are simply breaking to lower the RPM of the engine, so you can down shift without over-revving the engine.   As soon as you press the break with your right foot’s toes, immediately push in the clutch with your left foot.

Once you feel the gear disengage, twist your your right foot, while your right foot’s toes remain on the break, and press the gas pedal with the heel of your right foot.  When you press the gas pedal with your right foot, you should be trying to rev-up the engine to match the RPM where the lower gear will rev up to, once you downshift.

As soon as you match the revolutions to the road speed, release the clutch smoothly, so the car begins to decelerate, and then release the break.  Turn into the corner, begin to accelerate, and complete the drift.

Practice, Practice, Practice…

Heel-toe down shifting will take practice!  Depending on your vehicle’s pedal placement and the amount of pressure needed to push in the pedals, it may be very easy to learn or very difficult.  With practice and even some minor adjustments, you should be able to master the heel-toe down shifting process, in order to obtain better drifts around corners.

DRIFTING School

The most successful Drift clinic in the U.S. is now providing an introductional class known as Drift 101. Drift 101 is an intro class that gives driver the opportunity to try drifting first hand under supervision by the top U.S. drivers. This certificates can be given as gifts to individuals who wish to tryout drifting. Each certificate can be sent in the mail.

General Drift Day certificate-Are you looking for a gift for your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend? Our certificates is one of the best gifts you can give to them. We recommend that the the driver who receives this certificate has some drifting experience and a vehicle that is equipped to withstand a full day of drifting. If you wish to give a General Drift Day entry as a gift in a form of a certificate, you will need to contact Naoki@Driftday.com and follow the directions below

Drift 101-This class is a single day instructional course taught by the best drivers in the U.S. Drift 101 more of an instructional course for first time drivers and it is very important that the driver has a vehicle that is prepared for drifting (Limited Slip Differential, extra set of wheels and suspension with some adjustability). If they do not have a properly equipped vehicle, we suggest that you include a rental car with your purchase.If you wish to give a Drift Day 101 entry as a gift in a form of a certificate, you will need to contact Naoki@Driftday.com and follow the directions below

Ordering a certificate-In order to make your purchase, you must provide the following:

1. Date that you would like the certificate for.
2. The driver’s name the certificate will be issued to.
3. Check or money order in the full amount must be received before the certificate is issued.
4. Address must be provided for the certificate to be mailed to.

For additional information, you can contact Naoki at Naoki@driftday.com.

Instructors

Taka Aono
Taka is one most recognized Toyota Corolla driver in the U.S. He has been a top 20 Professional Drifter in the Formula Drift Championship series 2 years running and 2002 Solo2 national champion.

Hiroo Sumida
Hiro Sumida is a top 20 driver in the Formula Drift Championship series and one the most diverse drivers competing in both a right hand and left hand car.

Alex Pfeiffer
Alex is currently a Formula Drift judge after successfully competing in the series for 2 years. His expertise lies in all forms of motorsports and is also well known for manufacturing Battle Version parts.

Chris Forsberg
Andy Yen
Pricing

General certificate $150.00 per event

General Drift Day certificate-We recommend that the the driver who receives this certificate has some drifting experience and a vehicle that is equipped to withstand a full day of drifting.

Drift 101 $250.00 per event

Drift 101-This class is a single day instructional course taught by the best drivers in the U.S. Drift 101 more of an instructional course for first time drivers and it is very important that the driver has a vehicle that is prepared for drifting (Limited Slip Differential, extra set of wheels and suspension with some adjustability). If they do not have a properly equipped vehicle, we suggest that you include a rental car with your purchase.

Rental vehicle $350.00 per event
Rental vehicle is available upon request. Reservations for the vehicle must be made 2 weeks before the event date.

Photography contact Naoki@driftday.com
Private group events contact Naoki@driftday.com
Individual private lessons contact Naoki@driftday.com