How to Drift in a Miata

Front wheel drive vehicles are harder to drift than rear wheel drive.

According to Topspeed.com, "Drifting is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the world. A car is said to be drifting when the rear slip angle is greater than the front slip angle." Mazda Miata is a popular drift car among enthusiasts. The Miata is designed with weight distribution is mind. The stock car's weight distribution is one of the closest to 50/50 among rear wheel drive cars. This is accomplished by an engine that is closer to the center than the front. Miata's stock suspension is also an aggressive setup that creates ideal drifting conditions. The car can be modified specifically for drifting, but it is not necessary to modify a Miata to drift. There are multiple techniques to get a car to drift, but the Miata is limited to certain ones because of its horsepower.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Helmet
• Race track

Handbrake

1. Accelerate to a comfortable speed. When entering a corner, down shift to second gear while simultaneously pulling the emergency brake.

2. Lower the emergency brake after traction has been broken and the rear wheels have begun to slide. Turn the wheel to the same side that the rear end is sliding towards, while pressing the gas pedal. Turning the wheel to the same direction as the rear end keeps the drift from turning into a spin out.

3. Straighten the steering wheel when coming out of the corner. The rear tires will regain traction, and the car will straighten out.

Clutch Kick

1. Enter the corner at a comfortable speed. During the turn, press and release the clutch as quickly as possible (kick). The rear end will lose traction, and the car will begin to slide.

2. Downshift the car to second gear and press the gas pedal while simultaneously turning the the steering wheel to the same side that the rear end is sliding towards. When turning left, the rear wheel will slide right, and when turning right, the rear wheels will slide left.

3. Straighten the steering wheel when coming out of the drift and upshift the gears.

Feint Drift

1. Accelerate when coming into the corner. Right before the corner, quickly turn the wheel in the opposite direction of the turn and back into the turn. The car will lose traction.

2. Downshift to the appropriate gear and press the accelerator. Keep the wheel turned to the same direction that the rear wheels are sliding towards.

3. Straighten the wheel when coming out of the corner and upshift to the appropriate gear.

Tips & Warnings

• Inertia drift is another type of drift that requires at least 300 horsepower.

• Stiffer suspension, increased horsepower and better tires will increase a Miata's drifting capabilities.

• Drifting on the streets endangers the driver as well as those around him.

• Drifting on the street is illegal, and a reckless driving ticket is issued by police to those who disobey the law.

References

• Drift Lock: Drifting Techniques
• Top Speed: What is Drifting?