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Senin, 23 Februari 2009

VGA

Sabtu, 2008 Mei 31

vga card


Kartu VGA (Video Graphic Adapter) berguna untuk menerjemahkan output (keluaran) komputer ke monitor. Untuk menggambar / design graphic ataupun untuk bermain game.

Perkembangan & Pengembangan Hardware

VGA CARD terdiri dari 2 jenis :

Perkembangan VGA onboard

VGA onboard adalah unit pemroses yang telah menyatu pada motherboard, maka VGA card tidak diperlukan lagi. Keberadaan chipset VGA onboard ini tidaklah bersifat tetap karena VGA onboard ini dapat diatur untuk tidak aktif jika user ingin memasang VGA card yang diinginkannya.

Sejak IBM PC Original lahir tahun 1981 nyaris semua PC memiliki memori terpisah untuk frame buffer, yaitu block memori dimana gambar yang keluar di layar monitor dipetakan. Ini bukan masalah bagi sistem yang memiliki video monochrome berbasis karakter, karena frame buffer yang dibutuhkan cuma 2 KB. Tetapi GUI (Graphical User Interface) yang berbasis grafis modern yang memerlukan layar bit mapped beresolusi tinggi dan warna sejati sangat rakus memori. Layar beresolusi 640 x 480 pixel dengan warna 8 bit meminta frame buffer sebesar 300 KB, sementara layar beresolusi 1024 x 768 pixel dengan warna 24 bit memerlukan memori sebesar 2,25 MB. Frame buffer yang dedicated , berukuran tetap. Tidak perduli mode layar yang sedang digunakan, frame buffer harus mampu mengakomodasi resolusi paling tinggi dan kedalaman warna terbaik yang dapat didukungnya. Software tidak bisa memanfaatkan memori sisa dari frame buffer walaupun yang digunakan adalah resolusi rendah dan 16 warna.

Ini disebabkan oleh cara pemaketan Video Memori dan konfigurasinya dalam sub sistem grafis yang khusus. Dengan demikian, ber-Mega-mega byte memori tersia-siakan. UMA (Unified Memori Architecture) menyatukan frame buffer dengan memori utama. Dengan mengalokasikan RAM SECukupnya untuk menangani mode layar yang sedang digunakan. UMA memperkenalkan pemakaian memori sisa dari frame buffer untuk keperluan lainnya. Mengeliminasi frame buffer yang dedicated diharapkan mampu mengurangi biaya yang diperlukan untuk membeli sebuah PC. Banyak chipset yang telah mendukung/menggunakan teknologi UMA, seperti Weitek, Opti, VLSI, SiS, Cirrus Logic, dsb. Kenyataan yang harus diterima adalah sistem UMA menurunkan kinerja PC, ini terjadi saat CPU dan kontroler grafis mengakses memori utama pada saat yang sama. Maka dari itu sistem UMA disediakan terutama untuk sistem PC Low End yang murah.

Perkembangan VGA Independen (dengan kartu VGA)

Sejak sistem PC IBM pertama, didalam komputer pasti ada unit kartu grafis, entah itu CGA, EGA, MCGA , VGA, atau yang lain. Dengan menggunakan kartu VGA independen/bukan onboard maka akan didapatkan kinerja yang lebih baik daripada sistem yang menggunakan UMA. Seiring dengan perkembangan teknologi komputer, perkembangan teknologi di bidang kartu grafik (VGA Card) juga berkembang pesat. Jika dulu sebuah kartu grafis 8 bit dengan memori 512 KB yang dapat menampilkan 256 warna pada resolusi 640 X 480 sudah cukup, maka sekarang tidak lagi. Ukuran untuk Chip Set/prosesor pada kartu grafik bukan hanya 8 atau 16 bit, sekarang sudah mencapai 128 bit. Kemampuan dari kartu grafik pun meningkat jauh. Kebutuhan minimal untuk komputer multimedia adalah kartu grafik 64 bit dengan memori 1 MB.

Kartu VGA menggunakan beberapa macam memori seperti:

DRAM (Dynamic RAM)

berkecepatan 80 ns atau 70 ns, ada juga MD-RAM (Multiple Dynamic RAM) yang menggunakan DRAM berlapis. DRAM digunakan pada banyak kartu grafik 8, 16, atau 32 bit. Penggunaan DRAM ditujukan untuk komputer tingkat entry level, yang tidak memerlukan kecepatan tinggi dan warna yang banyak.

EDO RAM

berkecepatan 60 ns sampai 35 ns, EDO RAM banyak ditemui pada kartu grafik 64 bit. EDO RAM yang umum dipakai mempunyai speed 60 MHz 60/40ns. Contoh kartu VGA yang menggunakan memori EDO adalah WinFast S280/S600 3D, Diamond Stealth 2000 3D, ATi Mach 64, dsb.

VRAM (Video RAM)

berkecepatan 20 atau 10 ns, VRAM lebih mahal dibandingkan DRAM karena VRAM lebih cepat dari DRAM. Penggunaan VRAM pada kartu VGA ditujukan untuk komputer kelas atas. VRAM biasa dipasang pada VGA yang dikonsentrasikan untuk desain grafis. Contoh kartu VGA yang menggunakan VRAM adalah Diamond Fire GL, Diamond Stealth 3000 3D, Diamond Stealth 64, dsb.

SGRAM (Synchronous Graphic RAM)

berkecepatan kurang dari 10 ns, SGRAM pada kartu VGA juga berdasarkan pada teknologi SDRAM pada memori utama komputer. SGRAM banyak digunakan pada kartu grafik kelas tinggi yang mempunyai kemampuan 3D accelerator. Contoh dari kartu VGA yang menggunakan SGRAM adalah Matrox MGA Millenium, Matrox Mystique 3D, Diamond Stealth II S220, Diamond Viper, ASUS 3D Explorer, ATI Rage II 3D Pro, dsb.

RAMBUS

penggunaan RAMBUS pada VGA card komputer masih sedikit (RAMBUS adalah memori yang digunakan pada mesin-mesin game Nintendo, Sega, sejauh ini hanya kartu grafik produksi Creative Labs (MA-302, MA-332 Graphic Blaster 3D dan Graphic Blaster xXtreme) yang menggunakannya.

Chipset/prosesor pada kartu VGA, banyak sekali macamnya karena tiap-tiap pabrik kartu VGA memiliki Chipset andalannya. Ada banyak produsen Chipset kartu VGA seperti NVidia, 3DFX, S3, ATi, Matrox, SiS, Cirrus Logic, Number Nine (#9), Trident, Tseng, 3D Labs, STB, OTi, dan sebagainya.

Graphic Accelerator

Chipset-chipset masa kini sudah memasukkan kemampuan akselerasi 3D built in pada kartu VGA. Selain kartu VGA, sekarang ada pheriperal komputer pendukung yang dinamakan 3D accelerator. 3D accelerator berfungsi untuk mengolah/menterjemahkan data/gambar 3D secara lebih sempurna. Akselerator 3D yang keberadaannya tidak memerlukan IRQ lagi mampu melakukan manipulasi-manipulasi grafik 3D yang kompleks. Contohnya pada game-game 3D bisa ditampilkan citra yang jauh lebih realistis. Sebab banyak fungsi pengolahan grafik 3D yang dulunya dilakukan oleh prosesor pada motherboard, kini dikerjakan oleh prosesor grafik 3D pada 3D accelerator tersebut. Dengan pembagian kerja ini maka prosesor dapat lebih banyak melakukan kerja pemrosesan yang lain. Selain itu programmer tidak perlu membuat fungsi grafik 3D, karena fungsi tersebut sudah disediakan oleh akselerator 3D. Chipset 3D pada kartu VGA tidak sebaik jika menggunakan 3D accelerator sebagai pendukungnya (3D accelerator dipasang secara terpisah bersama dengan kartu VGA). Meskipun begitu Chipset 3D pada kartu VGA juga mendukung ‘beberapa’ fasilitas akselerasi 3D pada 3D accelerator.

Sebagai catatan penting bahwa, fungsi 3D accelerator akan optimal jika Software/game yang dijalankan memanfaatkan fungsi-fungsi khusus pada 3D accelerator tersebut. Software/game yang mendukung fasilitas ini mulai berkembang, yang sudah terkenal adalah dukungan terhadap 3D accelerator yang memiliki chipset VooDoo 3D FX, Rendition Verite, dan Permedia 3D Labs.

berburu RC

Berburu Mobil RC Seludupan di Medan

Medan - Halaman parkir Taman Makam Pahlawan Medan di Jalan Sisingamangaraja, Medan berubah jadi pasar dadakan. Tempat yang sebelumnya terkesan rapi dan sepi itu, tiba-tiba saja semrawut sejak awal tahun lalu. Di sini bisa ditemukan berbagai jenis mobil mainan remote control (mobil RC). Sebut saja seperti sedan Peugeot 4 dan 6 speed dengan seri terbaru, Formula 1 dengan 4 speed yang khusus digunakan di sirkuit balapan, big foot hingga sedan Baby Benz 2 – 4 pintu hinga yang terbuka.
Para “pembalap” biasanya mencari jenis mobil balapan yang tahan saat bertubrukan. Mereka selalu mencari mobil yang casing-nya bisa diganti. Selain itu, permintaan terbanyak adalah untuk jenis cyclone model tamiya. Jenis ini paling laku di pasar karena tahan di pasir, tanah, rumput maupun aspal. Dan jenis mobil yang dijual di sini menggunakan baterei yang bisa di isi ulang.
Saat ini, tak kurang dari 50 pedagang mobil mainan menjajakan mobil RC yang sebagian besar buatan Republik Rakyat China. Mereka menawarkan berbagai jenis mobil RC itu dengan harga yang sangat miring dari harga yang dijual di toko ataupun plaza. Bayangkan, harganya bisa miring sampai lebih dari Rp 30 ribu untuk berbagai jenis mobil mainan. Mulai dari jenis mobil formula, big foot hingga sedan terbuka dan standart. Semua dijajakan dengan harga miring, yakni antara Rp 150 ribu hingga Rp 300 ribu per satu jenis mobil RC. Itupun masih bisa turun bila pembeli pandai menawarnya.
Yoki Kurniawan (22), seorang penggemar mobil RC di Medan, mengaku kalau kualitas mobil-mobil mainan yang dijajakan di tempat itu tak kalah dari buatan Jepang. Itu sebabnya ia telah membeli beberapa jenis mobil di lokasi ini.
”Aku memang senang dengan permainan ini. Kualitasnya nggak jauh beda dengan buatan Jepang. Lagipula harganya terjangkau, beda dengan mobil buatan Jepang yang harganya keliwat mahal,” kata Yoki kepada SH yang saat itu tengah memilih beberapa mobil mainan jenis formula 1 dengan 4 speed.
”Sebenarnya aku sudah punya yang jenis sedan, rangers dan formula 1 jenis Mc Laren. Tapi aku mau cari yang jenis Formula 1 lain. Sebab mobil jenis ini kencang dan modelnya asyik diajak buat balapan di sirkuit. Dan kalau dihitung, aku sudah membeli tiga jenis mobil RC dari sini,” ujar Yoki yang mahasiswa sebuah perguruan tinggi swasta ini lagi.

Banyak Peminat
Murahnya harga mainan mobil RC itu membuat para maniak mobil mainan menggunakan remote control berjubel memilih berbagai jenis mobil. Tenda-tenda tempat dagangan yang didirikan dan berbagai jenis kenderaan roda dua maupun empat yang diparkir di depannya menutupi ratusan makam yang berada di dalam kompleks pemakaman.
Pasarnya pun tak hanya berasal dari Medan, tapi juga banyak yang berasal dari Jakarta, Bandung dan Banda Aceh. Bahkan permintaan barangpun sampai ke daerah kabupaten/kota lain seperti Tanah Karo, Langkat, Pematang Siantar dan lain sebagainya.
Menurut Bona Br.Tobing (49), salah seorang pedagang mobile RC di sana, sejak berdagang dengan modal Rp 5 juta, dalam seminggu saja modalnya sudah kembali. “Cuma setelah digusur oleh Kota Praja, keuntungan mulai tak jelas. Sebab pembeli yang dari luar kota jarang melihat kami di sebelah sini,” ujar perempuan yang mengaku tinggal di Asrama Polisi Teladan Medan tersebut.
Hal serupa juga diungkapkan pedagang lain, Bobby (27) warga Jl.HM Jhoni. Dulu, setiap hari ia bisa menjual antara 8 – 10 mobil dengan nilai keuntungan antara Rp 3 juta – Rp 4 juta/hari. “Tapi sejak kami digusur dari halaman parkir, keuntungan menipis, bang. Sekarang tak jelaslah sudah. Paling bisa untung antara Rp 300 ribu – Rp 400 ribu. Dan itu udah besar kali,” kata Bobby yang mengaku pernah berdagang pakaian bekas selama 7 tahun di Medan kepada SH.
Sampai akhirnya pertengahan September lalu, para pedagang mocil RC dadakan itu digusur oleh petugas Kota Praja Medan. Mereka dilarang berjualan di halaman parkir Taman Makam Pahlawan yang sejajar dengan Jalan Sisingamangaraja, yang merupakan jalan protokol menuju ke jalan lintas Sumatra.
Mereka hanya diperbolehkan berjualan di jalan HM Joni Medan yang merupakan sisi timur tembok kompleks pekuburan tersebut. Itupun hanya di sisi jalan sepanjang sekitar 25 meter dari perempatan Jalan Sisingamangaraja – Jalan HM Joni.
Dan kini hanya tinggal tak kurang dari 10 orang saja yang bertahan dari 50 pedagang sebelumnya yang berdagang di kawasan ini. Selebihnya telah berpencar di berbagai sudut kota Medan.
“Kalau kita jualan di sini, pembeli yang berasal dari luar kota tak melihat. Tapi waktu di depan, mereka bisa melihat dengan jelas. Begitu mereka tahu kita jualan mobil RC, langsung berhenti. Tawar menawar, harga pas, ya jalan lagi,” tambah Bobby mantan mahasiswa Fakultas Pertanian UISU angkatan 1995 ini.
Dengan demikian, tak heran bila kini harga mobil mainan jenis RC turun drastis. Rata- rata kini berharga Rp 100 ribu – Rp 260 ribu. “Kami sekarang cuma bisa ambil untung sekitar Rp 10 ribu saja per unit,” kata Bobby.

Seludupan
Mobil-mobil RC yang dijual di kawasan ini memang buatan Republik Rakyat China. Lalu dikirim ke Malaysia. Di Malaysia, distributor terbesarnya adalah Penn Mart Toys (M) Sdn Bhd. Dari sinilah kemudian diduga dikirim ke Indonesia melalui pintu masuk secara illegal lewat Tanjung Balai dan Dumai. Dan diduga jaringan distribusi pedagang pakaian impor bekas banyak menggunakan kesempatan tersebut untuk mengalihkan jenis dagangannya.
Menurut sumber SH dari Tanjung Balai dan Dumai, mainan mobil RC tersebut kemudian dikirim ke berbagai tempat dan di sebar ke para pedagang pengecer. Hebatnya lagi, mereka jarang berurusan dengan pihak berwajib.
Memang, polisi pernah membongkar penyelundupan barang-barang mainan di Tanjung Balai ke Medan dan kini barang buktinya masih ditahan di Poldasu. Hanya saja,hal itu tak pernah membuat jera para penyelundup dan pedagang pengecer yang menjualnya. Untung besar di depan mata mengalahkan ancaman penjara bila ketangkap polisi.


Senin, 16 Februari 2009

DRIFT

rifting (motorsport)

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A Toyota Supra in drifting exhibition in Atlanta in 2005.

Drifting (ドリフト走行 dorifuto sōkō?) refers to a driving technique and to a motor sport where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels through turns, while preserving vehicle control and a high exit speed. A car is said to be drifting when the rear slip angle is greater than the front slip angle prior to the corner apex, and the front wheels are pointing in the opposite direction to the turn (e.g. car is turning left, wheels are pointed right or vice versa), and the driver is controlling these factors. As a motor sport, professional drifting competitions are held across the world.

Contents

[hide]

[edit] History

Modern drifting started out as a racing technique popular in the All Japan Touring Car Championship races over 30 years ago. Motorcycling legend turned driver, Kunimitsu Takahashi, was the foremost creator of drifting techniques in the 1970s. He was famous for hitting the apex (the point where the car is closest to the inside of a turn) at high speed and then drifting through the corner, preserving a high exit speed. This earned him several championships and a legion of fans who enjoyed the spectacle of burning tires. The bias ply racing tires of the 1960s-1980s lent themselves to driving styles with a high slip angle. As professional racers in Japan drove this way, so did the street racers.

Keiichi Tsuchiya became particularly interested by Takahashi's drift techniques. Tsuchiya began practicing his drifting skills on the mountain roads of Japan, and quickly gained a reputation amongst the racing crowd. In 1977, several popular car magazines and tuning garages agreed to produce a video of Tsuchiya's drifting skills. The video, known as Pluspy, became a hit and inspired many of the professional drifting drivers on the circuits today. In 1988, alongside Option magazine founder and chief editor Daijiro Inada, he would help to organize one of the first events specifically for drifting. He also drifted every turn in Tsukuba Circuit in Japan.

One of the earliest recorded drift events outside Japan was in 1996, held at Willow Springs Raceway in Willow Springs, California hosted by the Japanese drifting magazine and organization Option. Inada, the NHRA Funny Car drag racer Kenji Okazaki and Dorikin, who also gave demonstrations in a Nissan 180SX that the magazine brought over from Japan, judged the event with Rhys Millen and Bryan Norris being two of the entrants. [1] Drifting has since exploded into a massively popular form of motorsport in North America, Australasia, and Europe. One of the first drifting competitions in Europe was hosted in 2002 by the OPT drift club at Turweston, run by a tuning business called Option Motorsport. The club held a championship called D1UK, then later became the Autoglym Drift Championship. For legal reasons, the business was forced to drop the Option and D1 name. The club has since been absorbed into the D1 franchise as a national series.

[edit] Present day

Drifting has evolved into a competitive sport where drivers compete in rear wheel drive cars to earn points from judges based on various factors. At the top levels of competition, especially the D1 Grand Prix from Japan and others in Malaysia, Australia, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Formula-D in the United States, King of Europe Drift Series in Europe, Drift Mania in Canada, and New Zealand, these drivers are able to keep their cars sliding for extended periods of time, often through several turns. Drifting is not recognized as a professional form of motorsport by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the motorsports governing body.[2]

Saudi Drift: Amateur drifting on public roads is a significant problem in Saudi Arabia.[3]

Southern California has embraced Drifting, and has been a forefront for the drift movement.[citation needed] It has many similar geological features as Japan, from industrial warehouse, many freeway on/off ramps, to shipping docks, and lastly various mountain passes. The grass-root enthusiasts can be seen on a daily basis and are growing exponentially as well as notice from local law enforcement.[citation needed]

[edit] Drift competition

Drifting competitions are judged based on line, angle, speed, and show factor. Line involves taking the correct line, which is usually announced beforehand by judges. The show factor is based on multiple things, such as the amount of smoke, how close the car is to the wall, and the crowd's reaction. Angle is the angle of a car in a drift, Speed is the speed entering a turn, the speed through a turn, and the speed exiting the turn; faster is better.

Team Drift Competition in Melbourne.

The judging takes place on just a small part of the circuit, a few linking corners that provide good viewing, and opportunities for drifting. The rest of the circuit is irrelevant, except as it pertains to controlling the temperature of the tires and setting the car up for the first judged corner. In the tandem passes, the lead driver often feints his or her entry to the first corner to upset the chase driver.

There are typically two sessions, a qualifying/practice session, and a final session. In the qualifying sessions, referred as Tansou (speed run), drifters get individual passes in front of judges (who may or may not be the final judges) to try and make the final 16. This is often on the day preceding the final.

The finals are tandem passes, referred as Tsuiso (chase attack). Drivers are paired off, and each heat comprises two passes, with each driver taking a turn to lead. The best of the 8 heats go to the next 4, to the next 2, to the final. The passes are judged as explained above, however there are some provisos such as:

  • Overtaking the lead car under drift conditions almost always wins that pass.
  • Overtaking the lead car under grip conditions automatically forfeits that pass.
  • Spinning forfeits that pass, unless the other driver also spins.
  • Increasing the lead under drift conditions helps to win that pass.
  • Maintaining a close gap while chasing under drift conditions helps to win that pass.

Points are awarded for each pass, and usually one driver prevails. Sometimes the judges cannot agree, or cannot decide, or a crowd vocally disagrees with the judge's decision. In such cases more passes may be run until a winner is produced. Sometimes mechanical failure determines the battle's outcome, either during or preceding a heat. If a car cannot enter a tandem battle, the remaining entrant (who automatically advances) will give a solo demonstration pass. In the event of apparently close or tied runs, crowds often demonstrate their desire for another run with chants of 'one more time'.[4]

There is some regional variation, for example in Australia, the chase car is judged on how accurately it mimics the drift of the lead car, as opposed to being judged on its own merit. Other variations of the tansou/tsuiso and the tansou only method is the multi car group judging, seen in the Drift Tengoku videos where the four car team is judged in groups.

[edit] Cars

Drifting Toyota AE86

Usually, drift cars are light to moderate weight rear-wheel-drive coupes and sedans. In Japan and worldwide, the most common drift machines are the Nissan Silvia/180SX/200SX, Toyota AE86, Mazda RX-7, Nissan A31 Cefiro, Nissan C33 Laurel, Nissan Skyline (RWD versions), Nissan 350Z, Toyota Altezza, Toyota Chaser, Toyota Mark II, Toyota MZ20 Soarer, Honda S2000, Toyota Supra (MKIV), Ford Mustang and Mazda Miata. US drift competitions use the same cars, plus Chrysler LLC's Dodge Charger, General Motors, Pontiac Solstice, Holden Commodore, and Holden Monaro . Drifters in other countries often use local favorites, such as the Jaguar Cars, Vauxhall Motors(UK and Ireland), BMW 3 Series (other parts of Europe), Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Alfa Romeo 75, As an example, the top 15 cars in the 2003 D1GP,[5] top 10 in the 2004 D1GP,[6] and top 10 in the 2005 D1GP[7] were:

Nissan Silvia S15 drifting
Car Model 2003 2004 2005
Nissan Silvia S15 6 cars 5 cars 3 cars
Toyota Levin/Trueno AE86 3 cars 3 cars 2 cars
Mazda RX-7 FD3S 2 cars 1 car 2 cars
Nissan Skyline ER34 1 car 1 car 1 car
Nissan Silvia S13 2 cars

Toyota Chaser JZX100 1 car

Subaru Impreza GD (RWD)

1 car
Toyota Altezza SXE10

1 car

The Top cars in the 2006 Formula D Championship: "DriftLive". http://www.driftlive.com.

Driver Make Model
Abraham Nassman Nissan 240SX
Rhys Millen Pontiac Solstice
Tanner Foust Nissan 350Z
Vaughn Gittin, Jr. Ford Mustang
Daijiro Yoshihara Pontiac GTO
Hiro Sumida Lexus IS350
Casper Canul Nissan 240SX
Ken Gushi Scion tC
Kevin Huynh Nissan 240SX
Chris Forsberg Nissan 350Z

In the 2008 Formula D series, the most frequent nameplate in the top rankings is Pontiac, but at the grassroots level, the Nissan 240sx still dominates in popularity.

FWD cars do qualify for entrance into D1GP events, but are rarely used due to the drivetrains inability to allow the car to accelerate out of a drift. They are not eligible for Formula D events.

AWD vehicles, such as the Subaru Impreza WRX STi, and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution can drift but usually requires different suspension tuning (when compared to RWD), higher amounts of power, and, in some cases, an adjustable center differential. In D1 Grand Prix, these cars are modified to RWD specification.

[edit] Techniques for inducing drift

The basic driving techniques used in drifting are constant, though each car and driver will employ some subset of these techniques. A similarity for all drifting techniques is to be smooth and practice. These techniques include:[8]

[edit] Beginner techniques

These techniques do not use weight transition, so are typically the first thing the novice drifter learns.[9] However they are still used by the most experienced drifters, and require skill to execute properly. These techniques aim to induce a loss of traction on the rear wheels, either by locking the wheel (hand brake drift) or using enough power from the engine to break the traction force (power-oversteer and clutch kick).

[edit] Hand brake drift

Hand brake is a lever that stops the rear wheel so it upsets the rear wheels grip and it tends to drift. Hand brake is one of the fastest, easiest, and dangerous for drifting. It can also damage the cars axels, stall the engine, ruin the rubber on the tires, etc. There are many ways for this not to happen but I'll show you three examples.

1st:

  • Come to a corner with plenty of speed like you would do in a regular grip race.
  • Let go of the gas, hold the clutch and pull the handbrake just enough to upset the rear end.
  • Gas and let go of the clutch at the same time.
  • Control the drift all the way.

2nd

  • Come to a corner with plenty of speed like you would do in a regular grip race.
  • Let go of the gas and pull the hand brake. to the optimum angle. Then let go.
  • Control the drift all the way.

3rd

  • Come to a corner with plenty of speed like you would do in a regular grip race but this time, 5-20 MPH slower and or if mastered, in a higher rear.
  • Hold the clutch and gas it just on the redline or about 6000-8300 rpm (on dial says 6-8.3 or 60-83) and hold the handbrake to the optimum angle. Then let go.
  • Let go of the clutch and gas it until controllable.
  • Control the drift all the way.

[edit] Power oversteer or Powerslide

It is usually done at the corner exit by stepping on the gas hard, to slide side ways out of the corner. It is most commonly employed by beginners because it teaches steering and throttle control without the danger of an actual entry oriented drift.

In low-power cars power oversteer can be achieved by applying excessive amount of throttle at the end of a shift. As you are releasing the clutch during a shift, or immediately before that while the clutch is still depressed, press accelerator all the way to send more power to the rear wheels than is necessary for a smooth upshift. If done during a turn, the car will begin to slide. This technique can be used to initiate a drift at very low speeds in an underpowered car (e.g., when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear), and to enter in a higher gear while accelerating all the way up to the turn (e.g., accelerate in 2nd on the straight and shift into 3rd as you enter the turn).

The sequence of actions is as follows:

  • Easily feather the gas in the straight line leading to the turn.
  • Turn the steering wheel to begin the turn.
  • Floor the accelerator.
  • Wait for the car to go sideways, then countersteer and control the slide and proceed to exit the corner.

Depending on how much power the car is making it is possible to keep the gas pedal floored from the shift throughout the entire drift, and in a low-power car this is often necessary.[citation needed]

Nissan 240SX Shift Lock Drifting

[edit] Shift lock (compression slide)

Initiated by downshifting (usually from third to second or fourth to third, and using a very fast shift) instead of braking, without rev-matching, causing the drive wheels to lock momentarily. Helpful for very tight corners, allowing the driver to approach the corner at a slower speed and lower revs, while allowing quick acceleration when exiting the corner. This technique can be very damaging to the engine if mis-used as the ECU is unable to rev limit when the engine is oversped by the rear wheels. Premature downshifters are called "Rod Stretchers".[10]

[edit] Clutch Kick

This is done by "kicking" the clutch (pushing in, then out, usually more than one time in a drift for adjustment in a very fast manner) to send a shock through the powertrain, upsetting the car's balance. This causes the rear wheels to slip. The foot should be at an angle (heel-toe) so the brake and gas may be pressed as well, this being needed to control speed and stop from spinning out in the drift.

Clutch kick can also be used during a drift to gain angle at the expense of speed. If the car is about to straighten itself out, kicking the clutch will cause it to rotate more. However since power delivery is interrupted while the clutch is depressed the car will lose some speed during the process and damage the gears and crank shaft. The steps to clutch kick:

  • Start driving into a corner but slower, and/or in a higher gear.
  • Turn into the corner.
  • Gas and a split second later you gas, keep tapping the clutch to make the wheels spin to slide but don't let go of the gas when clutching.
  • Control the spin with the handbrake, brake, or gas.

(If nessesary, keep popping the clutch to keep the wheels sliding)

[edit] Weight transition techniques

These techniques employ a further concept of weight transition. When a vehicle has the load towards the front, the back wheels have less grip than the front, causing an oversteer condition that can initiate a drift.

[edit] Braking drift

This drift is performed by braking into a corner, so that the car can transfer weight to the front. This is immediately followed by throttle, which in an RWD car causes the rear wheels to lose traction. FWD cars can also use this technique as it does not depend on the rear wheels being driven.[11] In FWD cars the front wheels are not allowed to lock due to the continuous power, the rear wheels locks easily due to weight transfer and due to the general front heavy design of FWDs. Good performance brake pads will help this technique.

[edit] Inertia (Feint) drift or Scandinavian flick

This is done by transferring the weight of the car towards the outside of a turn by first turning away from the turn and then quickly turning back using the inertia of the rear of the car to swing into the desired drifting line. Sometimes the hand-brake will be applied while transferring the weight of the car towards the outside to lock the rear wheels and help the rear swing outwards. This type of drifting causes the car to accelerate faster afterwards, because of momentum built up while drifting. [12]

Note that the actual scandinavian flick maneuver in rally driving is more complex than feint drifting. In scandinavian flick the tires are intentionally locked by braking hard right after turning a little away from the corner. While the wheels are locked, the driver applies steering input into the corner, adds throttle while still braking and then rapidly releases the brake pedal. This causes the car to slingshot itself through the corner.

[edit] Kansei, Lift off, or Taking In

[13] - By letting off the accelerator while cornering at very high speeds, cars with relatively neutral handling will begin to slide, simply from the weight transfer resulting from engine braking. The drift is controlled afterwards by steering inputs from the driver and light pedal work, similar to the Braking drift.

[edit] Other techniques

[edit] Dirt drop

This is done by dropping the rear tires off the sealed road onto dirt, or whatever low-grip surface borders the road, to maintain or gain drift angle. Also colloquially called "Dirt Turbo".[14]

[edit] Choku-Dori/Manji (Pendulum)

Otherwise known as over-sway, this technique is done by swaying the car's weight back and forth on straightaways, using countersteer and throttle to maintain a large angle. This is a show maneuver that usually involves many cars following the same line. The car will be drifting straight and will be drifting side to side.

[edit] Advanced Drifting Technique

This is very useful if you have mastered all the techniques of drifting and have carefuly tuned your car with your style. If you want to master this technique, you must get good tires that have grip and can be able to drift. Many profesionals upgrade their cars from 200-1000 hp but don't go over 400 hp if you are a beginner. And make sure to put enough touque because horsepower isn't everything in drifting.

What you need is to turn off your ESP (Electronic Stability Control(Equiped in many Mercedes-Benz)), TC (Traction Control)off, require a Manual Transmission with a clutch pedal and the clutch must be 2-3 plates. Also, you will need a FR, RWD, AWD (4WD) with a 0/100-20/80 torque distrubution (front/rear), ABS can be off or disabled. Stiff suspension front and back depending on your style and must be as low from the ground as possible but not too low that it scrapes the ground (50-90 mm off the ground), and you need a LSD (Limited Slip Differential). For safety, buy a racing seat with a 4 point seat belt and a 6 or 8 point roll cage. All right. On to the steps.

Kanji type 1:

  • Come up to a corner at a fair rate of speed like in a race track.
  • Push the Brakes 50 meters away from the racing line for braking but don't slam on the brakes but push it about 50%.
  • Feint as little as possible.
  • Power-over and clutch-kick all the way.
  • Use handbrake and clutch-kick to increase angle.

Kanji type 2:

  • Come up to a corner at a fair rate of speed like in a race track.
  • Push the Brakes 50 meters away from the racing line for braking but don't slam on the brakes but push it about 50%.
  • Hold the clutch and rev up to 5000-6500 RPM.
  • Pop the clutch and control.
  • Use handbrake and clutch-kick to increase angle.

If you want to transition to a different direction, hold the clutch and turn in more and clutch kick or another way is to let go of the gas, turn in, and power over and control. To end a drift is to turn in very fast and hold the clutch until steady.

[edit] Drift Tuning

[edit] Drive train

A proper mechanical limited slip differential (LSD) is almost essential for drifting. Open diffs and viscous diffs cannot be controlled during a sustained slide. All other modifications are secondary to the LSD.[15] Popular drift LSDs include OS Giken & Cusco.

The most popular form of LSD for drifting is the clutch type, in "2-way" form; this is preferred for its consistent and aggressive lockup behavior under all conditions (acceleration and deceleration). Some drift cars use a spool "differential", which actually has no differential action at all, the wheels are locked to each other. Budget drifters also use the welded differential, where the side gears are welded to give the same effect. This makes the car very easy to slide at high speed, but difficult to park, and is hard on the driveline. Torsen and Quaife (available on cars such as S15, FD3S, MX5, JZA8x, UZZ3x) diffs are also adequate.

The clutches on drift cars tend to be very tough ceramic brass button or multiple-plate varieties, for durability, as well as to allow rapid "clutch kick" techniques to upset the balance of the car. Gearbox and engine mounts are often replaced with urethane mounts, and dampers added, to control the violent motion of the engine/gearbox under these conditions.

Gearsets may be replaced with closer ratios to keep the engine in the power band. (Japanese drifters confuse the "L" and call these "cross-mission"[citation needed].) These may be coarser dog engagement straight cut gears instead of synchronised helical gears, for durability and faster shifting at the expense of noise and refinement. Wealthier drifters may use sequential gearboxes to make gear selection easier/faster, while sequential shift lever adapters can be used to make shifts easier without increasing shift speed.

[edit] Suspension

The suspension in a drift car tends to have very high spring and damper rates. Sway bars are upgraded, particularly on the rear. Caster is often increased to improve the car's controllability during a slide. Most cars use an integrated coilover/shock (MacPherson strut) combination. This type of suspension allows the ride height to be adjusted independently of the suspension travel. There is no perfect height setting or spring/shock combo for any car, but each driver will have their own personal preference. Many suspension manufacturers offer suspension tuned specifically for drifting, allowing many people to enter the sport competitively.

Bushings can be upgraded with urethane parts. Most Nissan vehicles have a floating rear subframe which is usually fixed in position with billet aluminum or urethane "drift pineapples", to prevent the frame moving during drift.

One suspension tuning method, still popular in Japan, is known as "Demon Camber" (Japanese: 鬼キャン, Oni-kyan[16] [1]). It involves setting the suspension with extreme negative camber in the front to reduce slide. Negative camber on the rear would only induce understeer, making the car more difficult to drift. The front of the car having better grip and less tendency to slide, it is easier to swing the rear of the car around to get a good drift angle. However stability, grip, and overall ability to control the car are compromised. It has thus fallen out of favor as a serious performance-minded suspension setup. However, many cars built for show (such as those driven by bōsōzoku) still use this style of suspension setup for its aggressive look. A few degrees of toe-out on the rear wheels (leading edges angled outward) can reduce rear stability, and make setting up a drift a little easier.

[edit] Cockpit

Because of the large sideways forces, drivers find it preferable to be retained firmly by a bucket seat, and harness. This allows the hands to merely turn the wheel, as opposed to bracing oneself against the wheel. The steering wheel should be relatively small, dished, and perfectly round, so that it can be released and allowed to spin through the hands as the caster returns the front wheels to center. The locking knob on the hand brake is usually replaced with a spin turn knob, this stops the hand brake locking on when pulled. Some drivers move the hand brake location or add an extra hydraulic hand brake actuator for greater braking force. Many drivers make use of additional gauges to monitor such things as boost levels, oil, intake and coolant temperatures.

[edit] Engine

S13 Silvia bay with modifications for drifting.

Engine power does not need to be high, and in fact if a car has too much power, it can be very hard to handle during a drift. Each driver has their own preference, and drift cars can be found with anything from 100bhp (74kW) to 1000bhp (745kW). Typically, engine tuning is oriented towards achieving linear response rather than maximum power output. Engines also must be equipped with upgraded cooling systems. Not only are the engines pushed very hard, creating lots of heat, but being driven at an angle reduces the airflow through the radiator. For turbocharged engines, intercooler efficiency is similarly reduced. Oil coolers are almost essential. V-mounting the intercooler and radiator improves flow through these components, and keeps the expensive intercooler out of harm's way in the case of a minor accident. Also a turbo wouldn't hurt the drift but remember to put a intercooler and a good one. Put a new ECU or performance chip to increase power and torque.

[edit] Steering

With increased steering angle it is possible to achieve greater angle with the vehicle, it will also aid in spin recovery. This is often done with spacers on the steering rack, custom steering racks, custom tierod ends, or machining the spindles. Increased steering angle often requires other modifications as at some point the tire or wheel will come in contact with other suspension pieces or the inner/outer fenders.

[edit] Body

Cleaning up severed bumpers during drift meet.

Chassis preparation is similar to a road racing car. Roll cages are sometimes employed for safety, and to improve the torsional rigidity of the car's frame, but are compulsory in events that involves the 2+ cars tsuiou runs in the event of a side collision. Front and rear strut tower braces, B-pillar braces, lower arm braces, and master cylinder braces are all used to stiffen the chassis. The interior is stripped of extraneous seating, trim, carpet, sound deadening; anything that is not essential is removed to reduce weight.

Body kits are often attached with cable ties. When the body kit meets the wall or curb, the cable ties snap, releasing the part, as opposed to breaking it. Aero also helps for cooling while the car is sideways.

As drift cars are pushed faster, aerodynamic tuning becomes more important as well. Rear spoilers and wings usually are useful only in large, open tracks where the cars develop enough speed to create a need for more downforce. Wheel arches are often rolled or flared to allow the fitment of larger tires. Airflow to the engine is critical, so the hood is often vented. The popular "whale tail" spoiler is only practical at high speeds (+130 mph), and in street use create drag and/or add weight to the car.

Due to the nature of the hobby, drift cars are typically involved in many minor accidents. Thus, those involved with the sport tend to avoid expensive or easily damaged body kits and custom paintwork.

[edit] Tires

S13 Silvia - tire stretched over a wide rim, increasing sidewall rigidity. The rim has a low offset to increase track.

The cars quite often have different tires on the front and back, and the owner may have quite a few sets. This is because a single afternoon of drifting can destroy a new set of tires. As a rule, good tires go on the front for good steering. On the back, hard-compound tires are used, quite often second-hand ones tend to end up in a cloud of smoke. 15" wheels are common on the rear, as 15" tires are cheap. As a driver gets better, they will most likely want to upgrade the tires used in the rear for a higher grip compound. Although cheap/hard tires are fun purely for their slipperiness and ease of drifting, they quickly become a hazard for high-speed drifts. More advanced drivers require the most grip possible from all 4 tires, so as to retain control adequately during high speed drifts. Competitive drifters often run DOT approved tires closer to racing tires, which is permitted, with the exception of some major championships including D1GP which only permits commercially available tires that are approved by them. The grip is required for control, speed, and a fast snap on the initial entry. Generally drifting consumes tires rapidly and multiple sets may be necessary for a single professional event. Some companies have started to create tires with special effects for drifting. One such company is Kumho. They recently released tires designed especially for the drifting crowd. These new tires produce colored smoke instead of regular grey smoke when drifted. Lavender-scented tires have also been developed.[17] They are not permitted in many competitions, as they are seen as giving an unfair advantage to teams with the funding to use them; now, they are currently expensive, but available to the public.

[edit] R/C drifting

R/C drifting refers to the act of drifting with a radio-controlled car. R/C cars are equipped with special low grip tires, usually made from PVC or ABS piping. Some manufacturers make radial drift tires that are made of actual rubber compounds. The car setup is usually changed to allow the car to drift more easily. R/C drifting is most successful on 4WD (Four wheel drive) R/C cars. Companies such as Tamiya, Yokomo, Team Associated and HPI have made drift cars and supported the hobby.[18]

[edit] Drifting in games

[edit] Online games

Online games written in Adobe Flash, Adobe Shockwave and Java language are also popular and include Marshal Tyres’ Online World Drifting Championships, NZ Performance Car’s Drift Legends (the first online game to feature real drifting racetracks, initially from New Zealand), Drift ‘n’ Burn 365 (in Shockwave)], and Mercedes-AMG’s Wintersport Drift Competition (the first manufacturer-backed drifting game).

Corporate support behind such games demonstrates the increased value advertisers are putting on drifting’s reach into key demographics.

[edit] Mobile-based games

GT Drift Untouchable from Korean-based GAMEVIL features 16 courses in 8 countries and was released in 2007.

[edit] Console and PC-based games

Drifting’s popularity in computer games extends back to early arcade racers where the techniques for games such as Sega Rally involved drifting. As this was a by-product of the techniques used in rallying, it cannot be considered the birth of drifting as a standalone sport in the gaming world.

Publisher Sammy and developer Genki (company) launched Drift Racer: Kaido Battle in February 2004. At the time Sammy studio’s press release[19] from September 18, 2003 stated it was an ‘Action-packed simulator bringing the underground drift racing craze to video games”

Codemasters developed the game Race Driver: GRID, which has an entire drift competition section.

Tokyo Xtreme Racer DRIFT (4/2006) and Tokyo Xtreme Racer DRIFT 2 (also by Genki) were released in 2006 and 2007 respectively for Sony PlayStation 2.

Electronic Arts licensed The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift for a PSP and PS2 release in 2007.

Drift City, released in September 2007, is a cel-shaded online racer, bringing more multi-player features to drifting games.

Several games, such as Need for Speed Underground and Gran Turismo HD feature drifting race formats.

The Oversteer Drift Mod is a free add-on (mod) for the simulation game rFactor. It offers players the possibility to drift with several famous Japanese drift cars around reproduced or fantasy tracks freely available for rFactor.

Racing Simulator Live For Speed's online community is often split between those who prefer traditional racing, and those who prefer drifting.

As drifting was popular in Japan from the 1970s there is every chance that earlier Japan domestic market-only computer games existed.

Although the game doesn't officially have a drifting element, the Atari online multiplayer game "Test Drive Unlimited" (PC & XB360) has quite a number of active drifters. They race in the advanced "Hardcore" mode which features reduced gravity and grip compared to the normal "arcade" mode. The open "M.O.O.R" cruising format of the game and the many mountain passes mean it lends itself to impromptu drift sessions.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Super Street, Issue 4, December 1996
  2. ^ "FIA Championships Homepage 2006". http://www.fia.com/sport/Championships/2006.html. Retrieved on 2007-01-21.
  3. ^ Riyadh Cracking Down on ‘Drifting Shababs’
  4. ^ Drift Mania! Inaugural D1 Grand Prix presented by Yokohama August 31, 2003, Turbo Magazine, Retrieved August 25, 2007
  5. ^ Ellis, Ben et al (2004). Drift Battle 1. Express Motoring Publications. p. 24.
  6. ^ Ellis, Ben et al (2004). Drift Battle 4. Express Motoring Publications. p. 22.
  7. ^ Ellis, Ben et al (2005). Drift Battle 12. Express Motoring Publications. p. 77.
  8. ^ Techniques of drifting
  9. ^ Keiichi Tsuchiya. (2003). Best Motoring International, Drift Bible [DVD]. Zigzag Asia, Time = 2"56'-3'20", "[Side, Shift Lock, Power Over] should be the entry level technique for all novice drifters. ... There's no difficult weight transition involved here."
  10. ^ Smith, Carroll (1996). Carroll Smith's Drive To Win. Carroll Smith Consulting Inc.. pp. ch.2 p.42.
  11. ^ "Drifting And It's Techniques (sic)". http://www.driftjunkies.com/techniques.htm. Retrieved on 2006-09-23. "There are three standard forms of getting an FF to initiate a drift. ...The next technique is trail braking."
  12. ^ "What Is Drifting?". http://www.driftacademy.co.uk/info.html. Retrieved on 2006-09-23. "Feint drift... This is known as a Scandinavian Flick in rallying..."
  13. ^ The Technique of Motor Racing by Piero Taruffi
  14. ^ Varga, Carol et al (2005). Drift Battle 6. Express Motoring Publications. p. 19. "Here's Izumida making liberal use of the 'dirt turbo'."
  15. ^ Ellis, Ben et al (2004). Drift Battle 1. Express Motoring Publications. pp. 53–56. "It might surprise some people to see this listed first, but a proper mechanical limited-slip diff is absolutely essential for drift."
  16. ^ Oni-kyan, Shakotan and Hippari Tire, 7Tune 5/1/2008
  17. ^ "KUMHO Aroma Car Tires Feature Lavender Scent". http://www.i4u.com/article7556.html. Retrieved on 2007-11-30.
  18. ^ 1/10 R/C Nismo Coppermix Silvia (TT-01D) Drift Spec
  19. ^ http://www.gamespress.com/release.asp?c=%7C%09%CFn%20subscription%20required