Shift-Lock Drifting Technique

The shift-lock drifting technique isn't used very often, but it can be helpful when you’re learning how to drift. It’s a novice technique that you’ll most likely be practicing on snow or wet surfaces. In dry weather conditions it gets a little harder.

The reason it is best to only use this drifting technique on low traction surfaces is that it really puts a lot of stress on the driveline. Doing it on dry roads isn’t recommended, it will dramatically increase wear.

Shift-Lock Drifting Technique
How To:

• Coming from the straight towards a corner


• Start braking on a straight line


• Enter the corner a bit too fast


• When you’re almost done braking steer into the corner


• While steering into the corner downshiftwithout(!) using heel toe; just let the clutch come up without the blip of the throttle


• The rear wheels lock up. The rest of the drift is the same as the previous drifting techniques. Feel the tires lose traction and start to countersteer


• Wait until you see that the car is facing the direction of the corner exit. Then gently give it a little power to pick up the drift. Control the throttle throughout the drift towards the exit.

The key to shift-lock is again the timing. When you release the clutch the wheels start to lock, so by then make sure that you’re steering into the corner, about the same time when you release the brake pedal.

Besides stress on the driveline the probability of downshifting too early also increases. If you shift down too early the ECU cannot rev-limit the engine as it’s directly being fed from the overspeeding wheels.