Vettes of Atlanta Magazine Drifting Sideways In A Fifth-Generation Corvette We’re willing to wager you’ve never intentionally drifted your Corvette. Have you ever flung one of Bowling Green’s finest into a corner to produce oversteer while the back tires...
Vettes of Atlanta Magazine
Drifting Sideways In A Fifth-Generation Corvette
Carson Hannon – C5 Corvette DrifterWe’re willing to wager you’ve never intentionally drifted your Corvette.
Have you ever flung one of Bowling Green’s finest into a corner to produce oversteer while the back tires are billowing white plums of smoke?
No? We didn’t think so.
Imagine driving from corner to corner in oversteer while the back tires scream for traction. That’s the premise of drifting.
Drifting is a driving style where the driver uses the throttle, brakes, clutch, gear shifting, and steering input to keep the car in a state of oversteer while maneuvering from turn to turn.
The simultaneous modulation of the throttle and brakes shifts the car’s weight balance back and forth through the turns. And to make it even more challenging, they try to do this while adhering to the standard racing lines.
If there is not enough throttle, the car will lose momentum and straighten out, while if there is too much throttle, the car will spin out. Naturally, at this point, two questions come to mind.
Where did drifting start, and can you do it in a Corvette?
Image courtesy of Carson HannonDrifting Origins
Drifting was first made famous in Japan and was quickly adopted by the West in the late ’90s. The story goes Kunimitsu Takahashi, a Japanese race car driver, started it.
Drifting has become very popular in Japan and is often practiced late at night on mountain roads and docks. Hollywood movies such as “The Fast and the Furious” have popularized the driving style and helped spread it worldwide.
Not surprisingly, one of the popular engine swaps for drifters is the LS engine from Chevrolet. So, it makes sense that the late-model Corvette would find a home in a sport that values horsepower and balance.
Match the agile handling with a powerful naturally aspirated engine and a sprint-ready transmission, and you’ve got a track beast that can drift right out of the showroom.
The next step was to see how adept the Corvette platform was at this style of driving. Fortunately, we found Carson Hannon, who drifts a fixed-roof coupe C5 Corvette at Caffeine & Octane’s Lanier Raceway in Braselton, Ga.
Image courtesy of Carson HannonGreat Drifting Platform
Rod Worley – Editor – What did it take to get your C5 FRC Corvette ready for drifting?
Carson Hannon – C5 Corvette Drifter – Initially, I only needed to pick up an angle kit to increase the turning radius. But I’ve also added a hydraulic handbrake with a second set of rear calipers.
If you have a C5 or C6 and it’s not a Z06 model, you’ve got to get an oil cooler up front. Besides, everything else, like seats and steering wheel, can be added later.
Regarding tires, I run a 265 rear, which is what most amateur guys run. When you get into the 700, 800, or more horsepower, they run 285 to 295 in width.
Brandwise, I run Kenda and Federal because they are the two most prominent names in drift tires for longevity, performance, and cost per lap.
When you consider everything, Corvettes have an excellent chassis and balance for drifting. Also, almost everyone who is decent is running an LS motor.
You could buy the Corvette for the work you must do to put an LS motor into a BMW or old Nissan. It’s a great starting platform for drifting.
Image courtesy of Carson HannonTire Expense
Rod Worley – Editor – As a fan, it’s exciting to see the smoke rolling off the back tires, but how expensive is an outing for you?
Carson Hannon – C5 Corvette Drifter – Every time I come out to Lanier Raceway to drift, it costs over $500 in tires.
A set of rear tires with mounting, balance, and disposal is about $260, and I go through two sets per outing. I hope to pick up a tire sponsor in the near future.
You can make this sport more economical by running BMWs or Miatas. They make less than 200 horsepower and go through fewer tires than I do.
But they’re nowhere near as fun to drift.
When you look at the total cost, a Corvette is more economical than other brands. The LS engine has many bolt-ons available, a lower parts cost, and rock-solid performance.
Since I’m also a mechanic full time, I can do my own work, which lowers the overall cost. Still, I want to spend my time behind the wheel instead of wrenching on them.
It also helps that I can drive the Corvette to the track instead of trailering it.
Image courtesy of Carson HannonA Sport Of Control
Watching the action from the spectator stands, you’re struck with the precision and control the top drivers exhibit. Accomplished drivers can swing the car’s weight, placing it precisely through five & six corners without gaining rear-wheel traction.
Professionals can place the rear of the car inches away from barriers while maintaining speeds of 80 mph at angles of oversteer of close to 45 degrees. Impressive skill, for sure.
If you’re itching to try it, Lanier Raceway in Braselton offers many Friday night amateur events to test your skills. And don’t worry about needing a specially set up car.
Your V8-powered rear-wheel drive Corvette will be more than enough.
Looking For Something More?
Professional Formula Drift star Matt Field shows his skills in a 1,050-hp 427-cu-in LS V8 C6 Corvette.
Filmed in partnership with his sponsor, Heat Wave, the three-minute video showcases Matt sliding his Corvette on the twisty mountain roads with pinpoint precision.
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