Drift Technique: E-Brake Drift

E-Brake Drift  This drifting technique is very basic, pull the E-Brake or side brake to induce rear 

 traction loss and balance drift through steering and throttle play. This can also 

 be used to correct errors or fine tune drift angles. Main drift technique used in 

 FWD vehicles, however since it does decrease speeds, e-brake drifting is looked 

 down upon during solo (tansou) type drifting competition.

E-Brake Drift

1. Enter a turn at a speed too high for the vehicle to handle (if you do not drift, your vehicle should experience understeer at this speed).

2. Heel toe downshift to get your vehicle into a gear low enough to pull you through a drift (2nd gear).

3. Turn your wheels sharply into the turn. By the time you finish downshifting and turning your wheels, you should be at the apex of the turn.

4. Hold in the release button on your E-Brake and pull up your brake sharply, then quickly release (e-brake is held up for only about 1 second). If using a RWD car, clutch in while pulling your E-Brake. If using a FWD car, keep on the throttle while pulling your E-Brake.

5. When you feel the vehicle’s rear end kicking out, immediately countersteer the wheels to face straight with the road. Your vehicle will pull in the direction of the front wheels, as long as the wheels are still moving. Keep on the throttle. If you press the brakes or let off the throttle because your vehicle is in an extremely oversteered condition, you will spin out or leave the road.

6. When you wish to straighten out your car, after completing the drift, let off the throttle smoothly and straighten out the wheels as your vehicle kicks in line behind the front tires.

 

Keiichi Tsuchiya demonstrating the use of the e-brake for drifting