Photographs by Rishabh Kaushik
Learning how to drift is an exhilarating process that combines skill, precision, and an in-depth understanding of vehicle dynamics. Maintaining control of a car while it slides sideways requires practice and patience.
This begins with mastering the basics of car control — steering, throttle control, and braking. My journey with the sport has been a fun learning curve, and it all started with an experiential session at the Raymond track in Mumbai. Needless to say, that got me hooked, and I couldn’t wait for the next time the Bad Boi Drifts crew were in town. Not too long after, I was thrilled to get an invite to check out its new drift track and workshop in Gurgaon.
Balola Motorplex is a purpose built track for drifting enthusiasts who want to hone their skills and experience the adrenaline rush of sending a car sideways. This setup is backed up by its very own drift car workshop, where the crew will build you a drift-spec car if you are looking to acquire one. This sees to it that you not only have the know how but also the corresponding tools to put your skills to proper use. And that means absolutely sending it on the track, rubber burning, smoke billowing, and most importantly, a perpetual grin plastered on your face. Bad Boi Drifts is not only trying to impart its knowledge about the sport, but it is, more importantly, building up the drifting community.
To be blunt, the art of drifting requires not only skill but also a well-prepared vehicle. Building a drift car is an exciting endeavour that combines mechanical knowledge, ingenuity, and most importantly, a passion for speed. Garage 82 has been applying this formula to its drift car builds, with patrons going on to win drifting championships with their build projects.
A drift build, when done right, is a complex yet rewarding endeavour, with an emphasis on purpose more than anything else. If you are a beginner, your car needs to be mechanically sound, and that’s about it. Doors, rear seats, dashboards, heck, even body panels are non-essential at that point.
The first thing to keep in mind when you do choose a car is that it has to be a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicle, after which you move on to the functionality, affordability, and availability of spare parts (I assure you, you’ll need them). Garage 82 has built multiple Mercedes-Benz C-Class drift cars and has a fleet of them for training purposes, owing to the above-stated factors. Moving on, multiple essential modifications are made to the base car to improve handling, power, and overall performance.
The suspension setup is critical for maintaining control during drifts. Upgrading to coilovers allows for adjustable ride height and damping, enabling customisation based on driving style and track conditions. Also, who can resist a slammed ride, inches away from kissing the ground as it dances around in a hypnotising whirl? Adjustable camber and toe arms are essential for fine-tuning alignment settings, which can greatly affect tyre grip and handling. Tyres play a vital role in drifting dynamics. You can opt for a combination of grippy tyres on the front and less grippy ones on the rear. This setup allows for better steering response while enabling the rear to slide out easily.
A limited-slip differential is crucial for effective drifting. Unlike an open differential, where one wheel spins freely while the other remains stationary, a limited-slip differential distributes power more evenly between the rear wheels. This feature is essential for maintaining traction during slides, allowing for more controlled and predictable drifts. The simplest thing to do is to weld the differential, and you’re sorted. This ensures that both the rear wheels are spinning at the same time, with the same amount of power.
While vehicle dynamics are critical in drifting, engine performance cannot be ignored. Increasing horsepower and torque will enhance the car’s ability to initiate and maintain drifts. A high-flow intake system and a performance exhaust can significantly improve engine breathing, resulting in increased horsepower; not to mention, it makes the car sound better too. A proper engine tune-up optimises fuel delivery, ignition timing, and air fuel ratios, ensuring the engine runs smoothly and efficiently at higher performance levels. If you’re looking for a little more oomph, adding a turbocharger or supercharger can significantly increase horsepower.
Safety is paramount in any motorsport, including drifting. As the car is modified for performance, it’s crucial to incorporate safety features to keep the driver safe. A roll cage enhances the structural integrity of the car and minimises the risk of injury. Along with that, racing bucket seats with multi-point harnesses provide better support and protection during aggressive manoeuvres. Going fast around a track is fun and all, but you’ll also need to be able to come to a stop safely and efficiently with all this newfound performance. For this, it makes sense to upgrade the brakes to a more efficient setup.
Just to give you an idea, I’ll list out the modifications done to a Mercedes-Benz C200 W204 drift car that was built recently. This particular build gets Koni coilovers, a welded differential, a hydraulic handbrake, racing bucket seats, and racing harnesses. On the performance end, it gets a full-system exhaust and a high performance engine tune. It has also undergone a proper weight reduction, keeping only the essential components and replacing others like the hood and boot with fibreglass. Driving it was a hoot! There’s oodles of power on tap to say farewell to traction, while the coilovers do their thing and keep the body roll to a minimum while thrusting the car sideways. The steering response was sharp and I could feel the front guide the car as the surface slipped from underneath the rear wheels. The adrenaline rush always hits like the first time.
Now, all this is easier said than done, but if you were to attempt building a drift car, I would suggest having it done with professionals who know exactly what they’re doing. It is essential to understand that in motorsport, a certain element of risk is involved. That is mitigated by following specific safety standards, and with that peace of mind, drift away to glory! There’s no feeling like approaching a corner, hitting the e-brake, feeling the rear step out, giving it the beans, and dumping the clutch while countersteering to guide the car into the drift. Even more so when it is your own custom drift car, built exactly as you dreamt it up. That’s nothing short of magic.
