Drift Style and Culture.

As much as we like it or hate it. Drifting is a style thing that gets split by individuals personality and culture. Lets contrast two styles from 2 cultures. 

"Dantai" Group Drift and "Mattari". 

Having lived in Japan, this is something I totally get, but only after many years. Doing things the same way is drilled into the psyche there, so following another car's drift creates a sense of flow and smoothness. It's non aggressive and everything falls in place in a beautiful way. The concept of using drifting as a form of "Mattari" or "chilling out" is also a very strange concept for us outside Japan. 

When I was first in Japan, I took "mattari" as more like a max attack together because everyone had more skill and looked better and drove faster, but it's not all the fastest all the time, its a measured response. A to B together is enough.  I was always too aggressive and tried too hard to improve. it took a while to calm down and learn that everyone together was cooler. This is why these Japanese group drifts look so good. 

The driver in front or second or third or fourth follows the same line and is satisfied with helping the person behind be able to follow too. This is hard to drive to be the same... it's not a western philosophy.

You can also take the view of admiring all the Sakura cherry blossoms in Japan at once. Not just finding the best tree, because that concept doesn't exist. All is good.   

 

vs

Drift "Trains". 

Western culture has the concept of drift "trains", but it's not exactly the same.  I would say it's slightly less successful in western culture where individuality is drilled into us, (unless you are in the military). In drifting, we have this need to get on the door and leave our mark. It's not really enough to be close and stop. We "have to be" "all" "door to door" and extremely close or it's terrible, which is typically not the case. We may look the same by having a similar car, but I don't believe we have the "drive the same" mentality.   

That's why I force myself to lead a train, because it stops my in built intent to get closer and closer and tap or bump. If I don't, I just stuff it up by getting too close or making a mistake. I need that mind shift reminder regularly also.

I lead at a reserved 90-95% and focus on line mostly. Because the mistakes that will come at 100% commitment waste other peoples time and not just mine. 

Drift Comps try to bring the fight to those with a need to impress. Leave the comp battle in the comp zone.    

Embrace the concept of "Mattari" and join the .RSG. "Dantai" Group Drift.