Drifting Noob on UK Street and Other Qs

[SXFoxstar]

I’ve always been interested in the drifting side of RC cars and wondered if anyone can answer a noobs questions:

 

1) Can you drift on a normal UK street without wrecking the tyres too often?

 

2) What is a decent but cheap starter car?

 

3) can a drift car have enough clearance to play on a UK street without scuffing it constantly?

[300bhp/ton]

Would think this isn't a bad starting point.

 

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/tamiya-toyota-supra-drift-tt-02d--389767

[m4inbrain]

3 hours ago, SXFoxstar said:

I’ve always been interested in the drifting side of RC cars and wondered if anyone can answer a noobs questions:

 

1) Can you drift on a normal UK street without wrecking the tyres too often?

 

2) What is a decent but cheap starter car?

 

3) can a drift car have enough clearance to play on a UK street without scuffing it constantly?

 

1. no.

 

2. you always get what you pay for, you also didn't clarify what you're actually looking for (rwd/4wd etc)

 

3. no.

[SXFoxstar]

Thanks for the responses. My only play area is the street so maybe drifting isn’t for me. I’ll maybe look at just getting some slicks for another car. Just like skidding around on the road.

 

i know after reading the guide skidding is different to drifting 😆

[m4inbrain]

1 minute ago, SXFoxstar said:

Thanks for the responses. My only play area is the street so maybe drifting isn’t for me. I’ll maybe look at just getting some slicks for another car. Just like skidding around on the road.

 

i know after reading the guide skidding is different to drifting 😆

 

Here's the thing. 

 

It's basically impossible to keep plastic/rubber from wearing down fast on tarmac. So regardless of what you're running, tyres will need replacing eventually. If it needs absolute cheapness, you could run a RWD and switch tyres from rear to front, but it'd still need replacing eventually.

 

Drift cars by nature are low to the ground. You can't really jack them up without compromising how they drive and look - but at the price range you're looking at, who really cares if the bottom scratches? I currently have two cars active for drifting, a £1500 SD 2.0 that will never even touch tarmac, let alone drive it - and a sub-£200 LP86, if that scratches, i couldn't care less.

 

That all said. I don't know how old/mobile you are, but you really want to do is to check where the next actual drift track is. There's quite a few around now, there's bound to be one reasonably near you. I have yet to meet an unfriendly drifter, they all are helpful - just pop to a localish track, you'll be able to see what drifting is about and are guaranteed to get some stick time from a loaner rig. That would be my #1 suggestion. 

[SXFoxstar]

I’ve only briefly looked for clubs, I’m the north west but I barely get a chance to go on the street let alone go to a club but will definitely look into it when my daughter is a little older.

[m4inbrain]

56 minutes ago, SXFoxstar said:

I’ve only briefly looked for clubs, I’m the north west but I barely get a chance to go on the street let alone go to a club but will definitely look into it when my daughter is a little older.

 

Or take her with you. We got plenty of dads at the track, ages from 2 to teen. The kids, i mean.

[SXFoxstar]

Ok so thanks for all your comments and following a reread of the drift guide maybe I am misstating what I am looking for. Really I want a car for skidding around on the street as opposed to drifting perhaps?

 

Does that change recommendations?

[SXFoxstar]

Have I simply gone way off base and it’s not a drift car I am after but a rally car?

[Rorys Breaker]

9 hours ago, SXFoxstar said:

Have I simply gone way off base and it’s not a drift car I am after but a rally car?

The new ftx evo looks like it slides around nicely on road. Have a look at Tomley rc’s video on it.

 

If it is defo rally you are after then a HPI wr8 flux is absolute mustard. A bit costly but well worth it and slides around like a dream.

[wombat]

You said your only play area is on the street. How about shop carparks, local parks, or waste ground ?

[300bhp/ton]

On 20/10/2024 at 21:02, SXFoxstar said:

Thanks for the responses. My only play area is the street

There must be some other places you can go? Sometimes you have to look a little harder. I could do with more and better places locally, but the street/road would be one of the last places I'd even consider.

[SXFoxstar]

1 hour ago, wombat said:

You said your only play area is on the street. How about shop carparks, local parks, or waste ground ?

Unfortunately all the shops near me are open till late everyday. I basically just get to play when my daughter goes out on the street to play with her friends 😆

[SXFoxstar]

34 minutes ago, 300bhp/ton said:

There must be some other places you can go? Sometimes you have to look a little harder. I could do with more and better places locally, but the street/road would be one of the last places I'd even consider.

Yeah it’s a case of beggars can’t be choosers, my time is very limited so I need to have batteries charged and time to just get on the street where I can simultaneously keep an eye on my daughter.

[300bhp/ton]

17 minutes ago, SXFoxstar said:

Yeah it’s a case of beggars can’t be choosers, my time is very limited so I need to have batteries charged and time to just get on the street where I can simultaneously keep an eye on my daughter.

There are always places. Must be a park or recreation ground near by? If so, maybe take a look at off road rather than on road vehicles

I have the same issue, I live in a populated area, shops are open 7 days a week and even if not, the car parks have curbs to stop the youth messing about in real cars in them. 

 

However I found a very local basketball/hockey court recently. Which is ideal for some on road use:

 

You just have to have a look about the local area.