Just wondering if Drifting (JDM style y0) is actually useful on the track or when racing in the mountains. I've always thought a properly executed apex turn would be better than driving sideways thru a turn.

What do ya'll think?

 

 

It depends on the car's handling and its relationship with your driving style (are you driving the car or is the car driving you?).

Generally, I would say no, but it is debatable. It all depends on the driver and what he wants from the car and whether he got it or not. Sometimes, you have to drive around the problem if the car is setup real bad. But this then just means you didn't do the homework on setting up your car for the type of track it's gonna be running on.

 

 

Lesse.. times when drifting could be faster/better

Well, it might if you are at an autocross and you've got the finish line right at the end of the corner.. i.e. speed down the straight isn't as important as minimizing time spent in the feature (a rare situation indeed!)

Maybe if you were crazy and didn't care about your car, and you had someone _right_ next to you, and the course was very tight, with lots of corners so you had to pretty much sacrifice mondo exit speed to make sure the guy right behind/next to you can't get clear of your car and block you.. but that's not a lap time, that's more maintaining a position..

I'm really reaching here.. hmm.. devils' advocate, when _are_ other times that drifting could be faster/ more desirable.. (other than Rally)