How to Drift on a Go Kart

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 5, 2024

When go-karting, experienced drivers often perform a cornering maneuver known as a 'drift' to look stylish and save time on the track. In a well-performed drift, your go-kart will seemingly glide around a corner. Luckily, it's simple to learn how to drift. With a little practice, you'll be able to tackle the toughest corners on a track with methodical precision.

Best Way to Drift a Go Kart around a Corner

Approach the turn from the outside lane of the track. Accelerate as you get closer and lean your kart and body away from the turn. Quickly turn the steering wheel to face the turn as you apply and then quickly release the brakes. Pulse the gas to maintain speed as you realign your kart after the corner.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing for the Drift

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Each track is a little different, so if possible, try and observe other drivers on the track and how they approach a corner they are about to drift on. You can then use these tactics in your own drifting.^{[1]
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Research source} Watch for their speed, their lane, their direction, and at what point they begin the drift before the corner.
2
Know the track before drifting. It's important that you've raced around the track several times first so that you know the severity and length of upcoming corners before arriving at them.
- There may be some hidden characteristics of a track that only a driver will be able to feel as they drive along, for example, the roughness of the road, if there are any blind corners, or how different weather conditions like rain can make the track slippery.
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3
Wear and use all the necessary safety equipment. Before you start moving in a go-kart, make sure that you're wearing a suitable helmet that will protect your head in case of a crash. Additionally, strap yourself into the seat tight so that you're snug within the chassis of the kart.
- Although a failed drift usually results in your go-kart stopping in the middle of a corner, there's also a possibility that you'll hit the sides of the track if it goes wrong.
Even if you're an expert in a go-kart, always make sure that your back is straight and that you are leaning back in your seat. This will give you maximum control of the wheel, gas, and brakes for when you need to drift.
5
Keep your speed up. When approaching a corner your natural reaction may be to hit the brakes so that you can corner it. However, speed is necessary to drift. If you're going too slow you may end up cornering the turn normally. Practice performing higher speed turns around the track so you'll get a feel for how fast you need to go.
- Generally, most drifts are completed at speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour (64 km/h).
6
Remain calm at all times. When you're approaching a drift it may feel like you're out of control. Drifting is a strange sensation and it may feel too chaotic, but pro-drifters will say that drifting itself is a form of controlled chaos. If it's your first time attempting a drift, breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth to slow your heart rate.^{[2]
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Research source}
- If you don't feel confident that you'll be able to begin a drift on the oncoming corner, don't be afraid to take it normally and try again next time.

Part 2

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Drifting the Kart

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1
Approach the corner in the outside lane. To complete a drift you need to approach a corner from the outer lane at all times. This will give you the maximum amount of space to complete a drift and minimise your risk of crashing into any other drivers while you're doing it.
- Usually the outside lane of a turn is a little darker on the track due to most racers following that line. If you can't intuitively see the outer lane, look at the track beneath you for a darker strip when approaching the corner.
2
Accelerate as you approach the turn. Most corners are preceded by a straight section of the track. When you hit this area, start to accelerate your kart so that you have enough speed to drift. You will usually need to exceed 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) to complete a conventional drift.
- If you don't have enough speed coming into a drift, there's a strong chance you'll just end up taking the corner normally. A drift requires speed.
3
Lean your kart and body away from the turn. If the turn is curving right, lean your kart and your body left as you approach the turn (and vice versa).
- This will give you enough space to drift around the corner.
4
Point your kart back in towards the turn. As quickly as you can, turn your kart towards the turn so that you're now facing the inside lane of the corner.
- If you are unsure of the drift, it's quite possible to over-correct at this moment which may kill the drift. If it helps, picture how you'd normally orientate your kart going around a turn, and try to emulate that position.
5
Apply the brakes and pulse the gas to maintain the drift. Gently apply the brakes then immediately release them. This will cause your kart to being drifting. Then, pulse the gas as you take the corner to maintain the drift.
- How much gas you need varies depending on the severity of the turn. A sharp turn will require a sharp and intense burst of acceleration whereas a gentle turn will require a long but low pulsing of the gas.
- Don't slam the brakes too hard, or you risk spinning out or stopping completely.
If it's your first time drifting there's a strong chance your kart won't be perfectly aligned with the track as you come out the other end of the corner. If this is the case, make sure to reorientate your wheels so that you're ready to tackle the next piece of the track.

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Question

You say when drifting I have to start on the outside of the corner, but do I need to go near the apex or stay outside for the whole turn?

Community Answer

Try to stay near the outside until your rear tires break traction; then the slide will naturally move you towards the apex.

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Tips

Try not to slam the brakes, but ease onto them when needed. This induces a smoother transition between the brakes and acceleration.

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It helps if you are driving a high torque go-kart because you can accelerate faster.

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Warnings

Make sure that you have a spare set of tires as they will wear down quickly after a lot of drifting.

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Always wear a helmet and seatbelt while go-karting.

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