How to Drift Assetto Corsa Competizione Like a Pro: The Ultimate Guide

Drifting in Assetto Corsa Competizione is a thrilling experience that requires precision, control, and a healthy dose of bravery. Mastering the art of drifting in this realistic racing simulator can be challenging, but with the right techniques and practice, you can become a drift king in no time. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps and tips on how to drift Assetto Corsa Competizione, empowering you to conquer the corners and leave a trail of smoke in your wake.

Choosing the Right Car and Setup

The first step to mastering drifting in Assetto Corsa Competizione is selecting the right car and tweaking its setup. While any rear-wheel-drive car can be used for drifting, some models are more suited for the task than others.

• Popular Drift Cars: Consider cars like the Nissan Silvia S15, Toyota AE86, or Mazda RX-7. These cars are known for their lightweight design, powerful engines, and balanced handling, making them ideal for drifting.
• Setup Tweaks: Once you’ve chosen your car, it’s time to adjust the setup for drifting. This involves fine-tuning factors like tire pressure, suspension settings, and differential settings.

Tire Pressure: Lowering tire pressure will increase tire grip, allowing for more controlled slides. However, be careful not to go too low as this can lead to excessive tire wear and overheating.

Suspension: Softening the suspension will make the car more responsive to steering inputs and more prone to drifting.

Differential: Adjusting the differential settings can affect how power is distributed to the wheels, influencing the car’s tendency to drift. Experiment with different settings to find what works best for your driving style.

Understanding the Basics of Drifting

Before diving into the technical aspects of drifting, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamental concepts. Drifting involves intentionally oversteering a car to maintain a controlled slide around a corner. This is achieved by applying the throttle and steering in a specific manner.

Oversteering: Oversteering occurs when the rear wheels lose traction and the car’s rear end slides out. This is the core of drifting, and it’s crucial to understand how to induce and control it.

Throttle Control: The throttle plays a critical role in drifting. You need to use the throttle to maintain the slide and control the car’s angle. The amount of throttle you apply will affect the car’s speed and the intensity of the slide.

Steering Input: Steering is equally important. You need to use precise steering inputs to initiate the drift and maintain the desired angle. The steering wheel should be turned smoothly and progressively, avoiding sudden and abrupt movements.

Mastering the Initial Drift

Once you’ve chosen your car, adjusted the setup, and grasped the basics, it’s time to practice initiating the drift. This is where you’ll learn to control the car’s rear end and maintain a controlled slide.

The Clutch Kick: The clutch kick is a common technique for initiating a drift. This involves quickly releasing the clutch while simultaneously applying the throttle and steering. The sudden surge of power will cause the rear wheels to lose traction, initiating the drift.

The Handbrake: The handbrake is another effective way to initiate a drift. By pulling the handbrake, you’ll lock the rear wheels, causing the car to oversteer. This technique is particularly useful for tight corners.

Steering Input: Once you’ve initiated the drift, you need to use the steering wheel to maintain the desired angle. This involves making small, precise adjustments to keep the car sliding in the desired direction.

Maintaining the Drift and Counter Steering

Maintaining a controlled drift is a crucial aspect of mastering the art. This involves continuously adjusting the throttle and steering to keep the car sliding smoothly.

Throttle Control: The throttle is your primary tool for maintaining the drift. You need to use the throttle to control the car’s speed and angle. Too much throttle will cause the car to spin out; too little throttle will cause the car to lose momentum and exit the drift.

Counter Steering: Counter steering is a technique used to correct oversteer and maintain control during a drift. This involves steering in the opposite direction of the slide. For example, if the rear end of the car is sliding to the right, you’ll need to steer slightly to the left to counter the slide.

Mastering the Drift Exit

Exiting a drift smoothly is just as important as initiating and maintaining it. This involves gradually reducing the throttle and steering back to center.

Easing Off the Throttle: As you approach the end of the drift, gradually reduce the throttle input. This will slow the car down and allow you to regain control.

Steering to Center: Once you’ve reduced the throttle, steer the car back to center. This will help you straighten the car and exit the drift smoothly.

Maintaining Momentum: It’s important to exit the drift with enough momentum to maintain your speed. Don’t brake too hard as this will cause the car to lose momentum and potentially spin out.

Advanced Drifting Techniques

Once you’ve mastered the basics of drifting, you can start experimenting with more advanced techniques to enhance your skills.

Clutch Kick Drifting: This technique involves using the clutch to initiate a drift while maintaining a consistent throttle input. It’s a more controlled and precise way to initiate a drift.

Power Slide: A power slide involves maintaining a controlled drift while accelerating. This technique requires a delicate balance of throttle and steering input to maintain the slide and control the car’s speed.

Scandinavian Flick: The Scandinavian Flick is a technique used to quickly change direction while drifting. It involves using the handbrake to initiate a drift, then quickly counter steering to change direction.

Practice and Repetition

The key to mastering drifting in Assetto Corsa Competizione is practice and repetition. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at controlling the car and executing the techniques.

• Practice Mode: Use the practice mode in Assetto Corsa Competizione to experiment with different cars, setups, and techniques. This will give you the opportunity to learn and refine your skills without the pressure of a race.
• Track Time: Once you’re comfortable with the basics, start practicing on different tracks. This will help you learn how to drift in different conditions and adapt your techniques.
• Online Multiplayer: Take your skills to the next level by participating in online multiplayer races. This will allow you to compete against other players and push your drifting abilities to the limit.

Drifting Beyond the Basics: The Art of Style and Creativity

While mastering the technical aspects of drifting is essential, true mastery lies in incorporating an element of style and creativity. Think of drifting as a form of artistic expression, where you use the car as your canvas.

• Smoothness and Flow: Aim for smooth, fluid movements when drifting. Avoid jerky steering inputs and abrupt throttle changes.
• Angles and Lines: Experiment with different angles and lines during your drifts. Try to create a visually appealing and dynamic performance.
• Smoke and Sound: The smoke and sound of a drifting car are integral parts of the experience. Use the throttle and braking to create a dramatic display of smoke and sound.

The Final Lap: Embracing the Drifting Journey

Drifting in Assetto Corsa Competizione is a journey of continuous learning and improvement. It’s a skill that requires dedication, practice, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of your driving abilities.

Embrace the challenges and celebrate the victories along the way. As you progress, you’ll discover a newfound appreciation for the art of drifting and the exhilarating feeling of controlling a car at the limit.

What People Want to Know

Q: What are the best cars for drifting in Assetto Corsa Competizione?

A: Some popular drift cars in Assetto Corsa Competizione include the Nissan Silvia S15, Toyota AE86, Mazda RX-7, and BMW E30.

Q: How do I adjust the car setup for drifting?

A: Adjust tire pressure, suspension settings, and differential settings to optimize the car for drifting. Lower tire pressure, softer suspension, and appropriate differential settings can enhance the car’s tendency to drift.

Q: What are some common mistakes beginners make when drifting?

A: Common mistakes include oversteering, not using enough throttle, braking too early, and not counter-steering effectively.

Q: How can I improve my drifting skills?

A: Practice, practice, practice! Use the practice mode to experiment with different techniques, and try different tracks to challenge yourself.

Q: What are some advanced drifting techniques?

A: Advanced techniques include clutch kick drifting, power slides, Scandinavian flicks, and tandem drifting.