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Forza Motorsport 2: The Art of the Drift
Over the past few years the concept of Drifting has grown from an unknown art form to a full on professional motorsport that has gained worldwide renown, particularly here in our very own Forza Motorsport community. Many players began drifting with Forza 1 (on Xbox) when they discovered that they could apply real-world throttle modulation techniques and work with realistic tire physics to produce life-like results in-game. Now with the (ever-growing) popularity of Forza 2 and its lively community, it is apparent that, more than ever, players are interested in learning the techniques needed to master the art of drifting. So what better way than to put together a little show-and-tell in the form of our first official Drift Guide to get you quickly sideways and looking good. This guide is intended for players who are looking to experience something different than just a quest to break that lap time record, and will cover basic and advanced techniques required to drift in Forza Motorsport 2.
Drifting Techniques: Basic Concepts
Drifting is all about losing tire traction while taking full control of your car as it gracefully slides around a corner with a mixture of angle and speed. In order to achieve this fine balance it is important to understand how your car will react to certain movements and weight transitions. Essentially a drift is a state of balance where the rear tires are spinning out of control, while the front tires maintain control and guide the car around the corner.
This kind of driving is usually referred to as “oversteer” as your car will be walking the fine line between a drift and a spin. Oversteer is necessary to maintain your cars angle, but it must be controlled by the driver's inputs if you are looking to successfully drift around a corner. If you have yet to read our Tactile Training Guide, then I suggest you take a quick look at how to take advantage of the pressure sensitive buttons found on the Xbox 360 Controller and pedals on the Wireless Steering Wheel, as these controls must be utilized to their full potential when drifting.
It is also important to turn off both Stability Management (STM) and Traction Control (TCS) when you are drifting. These assits will prevent your car from sliding by reducing the power sent to the wheels when they sense a loss of traction (obviously not good for drifting), so make sure to have both of these assists turned off before you begin practicing. The only assist that should be left on is Anti-Lock Braking (ABS) as this assist will allow you to shift the cars weight while braking, making it easier to accomplish the more difficult initiation techniques described on page 3. Alright now let's cover some of the basic concepts and terminology that will guide you through the rest of the article.
Drift Angle:
In the world of drifting the term “angle” is used to describe how far you can push your car before spinning out. Your angle is measured in relation to the turn you are drifting and will vary based on your car’s set-up and your driving style. Achieving angle is the main goal of drifting; however it is up to you to determine how much angle to get while sliding. Generally speaking the more angle you get -- or the more sideways you are -- the lower your overall speed around the corner. Many drifters prefer angle over speed while others are the opposite; however a balance between the two is desired and should be the goal for beginners. Once you are comfortable with the basics you can then explore the different ways to obtain either more angle or more speed when drifting.
Spinout's and Stalls:
When learning how to drift you may find that your car spins around after an unsuccessful initiation attempt; this is normally referred to as a "spinout". If you apply to much throttle while in a drift or do not countersteer enough, you're car will not be able to maintain a steady angle and will spin completely around. As a beginner you will be spinning out often so don't get discouraged if you fall into this category. Over time you will learn how far you can push your car before it let's go, so take your time and be patient!
The term “stalling” refers to a driver who is not able to maintain a drift throughout the entire turn due to decreased speed, too much angle, or an underpowered car. Essentially, a stall is one step short of a spin out, where the car does not completely spin around, but slows down to the point where the drift cannot be continued.
Driver Input: Throttle Control
Throttle Control can be explained as the modulation of the cars accelerator in order to maintain smooth acceleration, or in this case, smooth and consistent oversteer. When the rear tires begin to lose traction they will react differently to the power that is applied by the car’s engine; too much power and your car will spin out of control, not enough power and you will stall or lose the drift. The practice of modulating the throttle is one of the most important drifting techniques, and for that reason you should expect to spend a lot of time learning how to apply this concept when driving.
Generally speaking you should start out slow and apply no more than 70% throttle once you feel your car beginning to slide. Once you have initiated the drift you will need to apply more or less throttle depending on the amount of angle that you are aiming for; the more throttle you apply the more angle your car will get, however this concept changes once you introduce countersteer. You want to practice feathering the throttle, and avoid stepping on the gas 100% when you are learning. Remember, every car has its limit and it will take some time before you find out how much angle you can get before your front tires give way and you spin out. With careful throttle control, precise steering inputs and lots (and I mean lots) of practice you will soon be able to find the balance needed to maintain smooth and elegant drifts.
Driver Input: Countersteer
Countersteering is the practice of turning your front wheels in the direction of your drift in order to maintain angle while avoiding a spin-out. Just as you will need to be precise with your throttle control, you will need to be equally precise with your steering inputs. The amount of countersteer that is needed will depend on your cars angle, speed, how much throttle is being applied, and the amount of front end grip produced by your car. If you do not countersteer enough you will spin out, and if you countersteer too much you will stall out and lose the drift.
When countersteering you want to make sure to take advantage of the full range of motion found on either the left thumbstick or the steering wheel. You will need to make frequent adjustments to your steering angle, as the car will be trying to push one way or the other so quick countersteering is desired. Your countersteering technique will balance the overall motions of the car and will help you maintain angle, so be prepared to spend lots of time learning how to countersteer.
Throttle control and countersteering are both key elements to the process of drifting, so before you jump in a car and start sliding around it is important to understand the overall balance of drifting.
Maintaining Drift Balance
The best way to describe the relationship between throttle control and countersteering is to consider them as two pieces to the overall balance of drifting. These two components are essential to drifting, and must be used simultaneously in order to maintain speed and angle. Throttle control will determine how much your rear tires slide out, and how much angle you get while drifting as opposed to countersteering, which prevents the car from spinning completely around. Your steering technique can also be used to achieve more or less angle; by steering into the drift you will reduce angle, by steering against the drift you will increase angle. As you can see, these two techniques work together in a balancing act, and therefore must be perfected if you are looking to drift in Forza 2.
Video demonstration of drifting balance
Finding your primary car
Every car will react differently when faced with oversteer and as a result it is important to stick with one car when you are learning how to drift. Many beginners will constantly change between cars thinking that maybe another car will make it easier to learn. By doing this you are forced to find the drifting balance all over again, since each car will behave differently when faced with oversteer.
It is also important to stick with one car when you are a beginner, as over time you will start to feel comfortable with that specific car, making it easier for you to determine its characteristics and limits. Once you feel comfortable with your primary car then you will be able to take what you have learned and apply it to other cars with different characteristics. Experimenting with other cars will increase your overall knowledge and abilities; when learning however, it is beneficial to pick one of your favorite cars and start learning how it handles. Obviously we encourage experimentation as that is what Forza 2 is all about, however for the purpose of learning and understanding the basic techniques we recommend the use of a primary car.
When selecting your primary car, it is recommended to use of a front engine, rear wheel drive car that has a medium to long wheelbase. Cars that fall within this category will be much more stable when sideways and as a result will help you learn the overall balance of drifting as well as the basic initiation techniques described on the next page. Once again we encourage experimentation with different engine layouts or drive trains; (once you learn the basics of course) as they will all provide a very unique drifting experience.
Tandem:
Tandem drifting is a term used to describe the action of two or more cars drifting together while trying to match both angle and speed. The goal of a tandem drift will vary based on the scenario, but generally speaking it is desirable to maintain a small amount of distance between all the cars invovled. When three or more cars are involved in a tandem it is very dynamic as drivers must react quickly while attempting to maintain a small distance between each other. Tandem drifting is also how competitions are hosted as two cars will battle each other while being judged on various criteria.
As a beginner you will want to practice on your own before attempting to tandem as it is very difficult to follow another driver when you are learning. On the other hand it can be very beneficial to follow and observe a more experienced drifter who can show you the skills required to execute smooth and consitent drifting, so if you know some friends that drift make sure to watch closely, as you will learn alot about drifting in Forza 2.
Drifting Line/Ideal Line:
When approaching a corner it is important to understand how the line taken at the corner entrance will impact your ability to successfully drift around the entire turn. The word "line" refers to the path taken around the corner, and will change based on your cars characteristics and the turn that you are trying to drift. The same overall concept applies to both drifting and racing, however depending on the corner you may want to experiment with different lines. Generally speaking you want to choose a line that allows you to maintain the maximum amount of speed and angle, without having to re-adjust the drift with the brakes or the e-brake. For example if you begin a drift on the inside of a long sweeping turn and follow a shallow line, you will be forced to re-adjust your drift, a process that will have a negative impact on both angle and speed. As you become more experienced you will begin to notice how subtle differences in your line will impact the overall outcome of your drift, so make sure to take this into consideration once you feel comfortable with your car sideways.
Alright, now that you understand the basics it is time to learn the various techniques that can be used to successfully initiate a drift. So go grab a car, add some upgrades and start practicing the techniques described on the next page.
Entering the Corner: Initiation Techniques
When attempting to drift in Forza 2 it is important to understand the 4 different techniques that can be used to initiate oversteer. By understanding these methods you will be able to trigger a controlled slide that can then be maintained with precise throttle modulation and countersteer. The four basic techniques that can be used to initiate a drift in Forza 2 are as follows: using the e-brake to upset rear traction, using the car's power to break the rear tires loose, using the brakes to shift the weight of the car forward and using drastic weight transitions to temporarily upset the car's balance.
Some of these techniques involve the use of heavy weight transition's in order to upset the balance of your car, while others involve the use of heavy braking or excessive power. As always, it is better to start off small and work your way up -- meaning don't try to execute these techniques at full speed when you are learning. It is very easy to spin out when attempting some of these initiation techniques for the first time, so make sure you are prepared to spend some time figuring out how to apply them. First we will cover a technique that involves the use of the e-brake in order to lock up the rear tires.
E-Brake Initiation
The emergency brake is a drifter’s best friend, as it allows you to momentarily lock up the rear tires to induce oversteer. This is the most basic drifting technique and should be used by anyone who is looking to practice throttle control and countersteering. You want to make your approach from the outside while slowing down enough to clear the turn, and as you reach the optimal speed pull the E-Brake while turning in to the corner. Your rear tires will lock up and you will feel the rear of your car start to lose traction. You will only need to pull the e-brake for a split second, so don’t be too aggressive with your initiation.
Once you car begins to slide, get ready to countersteer while applying a small amount of throttle to break the rear tires loose. At this point you will need to find the drifting balance of your car as explained earlier, and maintain the drift until the corner exit. This will require lots of practice, so don’t get discouraged if you are having problems maintaining a drift. You should aim to practice the timing for when you want to pull the e-brake, as well as how long you should wait before beginning to countersteer. These are the fundamental elements of drifting, so spend some time driving around a track that you are familiar with while pulling the e-brake at the corner entrances.
Video demonstration of the e-brake initiation.
As you can see in the video the E-Brake only needs to be used momentarily to lock up the rear tires, so make your approach from the outside, slow down for the corner, and pull the E-Brake after you have turned into the corner. If you hold the E-Brake for too long you will lose speed and will risk spinning out, so remember to let off quickly before applying the throttle and countersteering towards the exit.
Power Over Initiation
The second initiation technique requires the use of a car that has enough power to break the rear tires loose on command, and for this reason we recommend other initiation techniques over this one. Once again you will make your approach from the outside while slowing down enough to clear the corner, and as you approach the optimal speed jump on the throttle for a split second while turning into the corner. Your car will instantly lose traction with the road as the rear tires break loose from the increase in throttle, thus inducing oversteer. Once the car has lost traction you will need to very gently re-apply the throttle, while countersteering towards the exit. It is important to remember that you will only need to apply the throttle 100% for a split second at the corner entrance to initiate the drift. If you continue to hold down the throttle after your tires have already lost traction you will find yourself spinning out quite often.
Video demonstration of power over initiation.
As you can see in the video a quick jab to the throttle is all it takes to break the rear tires lose. Once again make sure that you have turned into the corner before hitting the throttle to ensure that you initiate the drift in the right direction. Once you feel that the car has lost traction make sure to slighlty let up on the throttle, to avoid spinning completely around.
Braking Initiation: Shifting Weight Forward
The third initiation technique requires the use of the brakes to shift the car’s weight forward and off the rear tires, thus reducing their contact patch with the road. This is an advanced technique that should be the main focus of your attention once you begin to feel comfortable with the drifting balance of your car. By using the brakes to initiate the drift you can also maintain a higher entrance speed, which is important when considering competition drifting. As you approach from the outside of the corner hit the brakes in order to slow down to the optimal speed. This will shift the weight to the front of the car, and off the rear tires, allowing you to initiate the drift by aggressively turning into the corner. Make sure to initiate your turn in very soon after applying the brakes as you want to take advantage of the fact that there is less weight over the rear tires.
The timing for this technique is crucial, and eventually you will learn to jump on the brakes while simultaneously turning your car into the corner. If you hit the brakes and wait too long before making the turn in you will lose momentum and have a hard time breaking the rear tires loose, so make sure to take advantage of the fact that the weight of your car will be shifted towards the front. Depending on your car's layout, braking characteristics and speed, you may or may not need to apply some throttle to fully break the rear tires loose, so don’t be afraid to hit the throttle if you are having problems fully initiating using the brakes.
Video demonstration of braking initiation.
This technique will require some practice as it is very easy to understeer in any car if you turn the wheel while braking. The timing for when you want to turn-in, along with how long you hold the brakes will determine the sucess of your drift. You want to make sure to maintain enough speed so that when you make your turn-in you have enough momentum to throw the car sideways. Remember you will continue to slow down once your car enters the drift if you are not applying any throttle, so take that into consideration when determining how much to brake for the corner. If you are having trouble with this technique then try adding in a slight swaying motion that will prevent the car from understeering. This technique is normally reffered to as a "Feinting" motion, and will be discussed in the following paragraph. The braking drift combined with a slight weight transfer will work well in any car, so don't be afraid to combine these two techniques together when you are learning.
Weight Transfer: Feint Initiation
The fourth and final technique that can be used to initiate a drift in Forza 2 is what is normally referred to as feint drifting; the process of creating large weight transitions that upset the balance of the car allowing you to induce oversteer. This is an advanced technique where the timing of your weight transitions is the key to a successful drift. You will want to approach the corner from the inside and make a swaying motion towards the outside before cutting back in the direction of the corner. This will create a large amount of weight transfer that will throw your car sideways before entering the turn.
Once your car is sideways make sure to find the drift balance and maintain the slide until the corner exit. How much you throw the car from side to side will depend on a variety of factors, so spend some time experimenting with this technique in order to determine how much weight transition is needed to get your car sideways. As explained earlier it is very important to start out small, as too much weight transfer will spin your car around so quickly that it cannot be controlled by countersteering. If you notice that you are spinning around very easily when attempting this technique then tone down on the weight transition, and swing your car much less. Often times only a small swaying motion is needed to upset the cars balance enough to initiate a drift.
Video demonstration of the feint initiation.
As you can see in the video the timing for this technique is the key. If you begin the initiation too early you will not carry the proper line through the turn and will be forced to re-adjust. If you initiate too late you will risk running your car off the track. As explained earlier it is important to understand that only a slight weight transfer is needed to induce oversteer, so start out small and work your way up once you have the rhythm down.
It is also worth noting that the brake was not applied throughout the entire swaying motion, but rather at the beginning and the end. This will allow you to maintain enough momentum to send your car sideways into the turn. Depending on the corner and how fast your approach is you may also hold off on braking until the second swaying motion that will swing you back in the direction of the turn, so make sure to experiment and find the braking balance that works best for you.
Weight Transfer: Linking Turns
Learning how to deal with weight transitions while drifting is very crucial, as it will help you not only initiate a drift, but also link multiple turns together with a constant slide. When making a transition from one corner into another, the weight of your car will be transfered from side to side, forcing you to countersteer enough to prevent the car from spinning around. This weight transition is very similar to the “Feinting” motion that can be used to initiate a drift, so practicing this technique will not only benefit your corner entry, but it will also improve your ability to deal with the weight transfer that occurs when you begin to link multiple turns together. In order to make the transition from one direction to another, you will need to countersteer more than usual in order to swing your car back the other way and into the opposite drift.
Depending on the corners and your car, you may need to quickly hit the brakes while simultaneously making the transition in order to shift the weight forwards and off the rear tires thus allowing for a quicker transition. Learning how to link turns will be very challenging at first, however once you get it down you will be able to predict your cars behavior and throw the car from side to side without any problems.
Initiation Technique: “Dynamic Drifting”
So now that you have learned the four different techniques that can be used to initiate a drift, it is time to put all of them together in order to accomplish what is usually referred to as “Dynamic Drifting”. This high level technique is based around the driver’s ability to adapt and utilize the four initiation methods in order to drift under almost any circumstance. As you progress and begin to drift consistently you will learn the various ways that these techniques can be combined together in order to react to your surroundings while drifting. For example if you initiate with your feint too early and are not going to carry the proper line through the turn, you can pull the e-brake to extend your drift without having to lose your drifting angle. This will allow you to continue sliding sideways until you reach the proper line and are able to successfully continue the drift. Using the e-brake in this manner is just one example of how all of these techniques will eventually merge into one master technique known as Dynamic Drifting.
Up until now we have been focused on how to manipulate your car in order to drift around turns, however now it is time to focus our attention on the car itself. In Forza 2 there are various upgrades and tuning options that can help you build a car that suits your driving style. If you are not handy with the tuning options dont fret, cause we have included a few different car set-ups that will help you along the way to finding the ultimate drifting weapon.
Upgrades and Tuning Tips for Drifting
So now that you know all of the basic and advanced techniques required to initiate and maintain a smooth and consistent drift, it is time to talk about building a car. There are many different upgrades that can be added to your cars that will drastically change its performance; therefore it is important to experiment with different combinations until you find a car that you are comfortable with. Here are some general guidelines that should be used by a beginner who is looking to quickly build a car and jump on the track.
It’s not all about power!
It is important to remember that you don’t need 900HP to drift a car in Forza 2. When you have enough in-game credits to last a lifetime it is sometimes tempting to max out all the upgrades on your car and take it to the track. For a beginner this is not desired as learning the basic techniques in a car with excessive oversteer and 900HP can be very difficult.
We recommend that you upgrade your car within a range from “A” to “S” class, as cars in this category have enough power to break the rear tires loose, but at the same time will not be impossible to drive in a straight line. Of course it is possible to drift cars in the lowers classes and the higher classes; however for a beginner it will be easier to learn the basic techniques on a car that is balanced and has adequate power (not excessive power!)
Upgrade the platform!
Platform and handling upgrades on the other hand should be installed no matter what car you are attempting to drift. Generally speaking most cars will react much better with these upgrades, so make sure to add the “Race” level parts in this category when you are building your drift machine. Once again these are only generic guidelines, and every driver will have their own preferences, so make sure to experiment with different parts combinations once you feel comfortable drifting.
Choosing Wheels and Tires.
When upgrading your wheels and tires it is important to understand how it will impact your drifting. First of all we recommend the use of either “Sport” compound tires or “Race” compound tires. Both of these compounds will give you much more traction with the road, thus making your car more responsive and easier to handle. The difference is the “Race” compound will give you even more traction and depending on the driver, can allow you to maintain more speed during a drift. "Race" compound tires will also allow you to successfully drift high powered cars. Once again this all comes down to driver preference, so experiment with both compounds to see what one works for you. The same general concept also applies to tire width. The wider the tires are the bigger your cars contact patch will be, meaning it will have more traction. Generally speaking it is good to upgrade the tire width as a larger contact patch will increase mechanical grip and improve the handling of your car.
Alright so now you got yourself a reasonably powerful car, now what? Well it is possible to get on the track and drift a car with a stock set-up (and we know many drifters that do this very well), however tuning is a very important aspect of drifting, especially if you are looking to get the most out of your car. The purpose of this guide is to teach beginners the basic drifting concepts, and as a result the tuning aspect will not be covered in detail. You can expect to see a more detailed explanation in another article that will be focused entirely on tuning. So what about all the beginners out there that don’t have enough experience to tune their own drift cars? Well if you fall into this category you are in luck.
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