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Drifting is the specific motorsport skill of maintaining controlled oversteer through a corner, keeping the car sideways, on the throttle, with the rear wheels spinning and the front pointed where you want to go. It looks effortless when a professional does it and takes real technique to learn. Drifting experiences on RedBalloon are instructor-led sessions on closed circuits where you get to learn that technique in a purpose-modified rear-wheel drive car, with someone next to you who knows how to talk you through it. These are genuinely challenging and genuinely satisfying — the kind of driving experience that makes everything else feel ordinary by comparison.
What happens in a drifting experience?
A drifting session starts with a briefing on car control fundamentals, throttle steering, weight transfer, counter-steer timing. You then move to the car for an instructor demonstration lap, followed by your own attempts with the instructor coaching from the passenger seat. Most sessions run 30 to 60 minutes of active seat time. The car is a modified rear-wheel drive vehicle set up specifically for drifting, not a standard road car.
Do I need driving experience to drift?
A standard driver's licence is required. Prior motorsport experience is not. The briefing covers the specific inputs required for drifting from scratch, and the instructor is there throughout to correct technique in real time. That said, the more comfortable you are with the basics of car control, the faster you'll progress through the learning curve. Some venues offer progressive packages that build over multiple sessions.
Drifting vs other driving experiences
Drifting is a distinct skill set from circuit driving or drag racing. If you're interested in circuit performance without the oversteer element, exotic supercar experiences and V8 supercar drives are the more relevant formats. Stunt and defensive driving experiences cover adjacent car control skills in a different instructional framework. Rally driving experiences combine off-road driving with performance technique if both elements interest you.
Drifting experiences as gifts
A drifting experience is one of the more original driving gifts available on RedBalloon. It's a specific skill rather than a passive passenger experience, which makes it particularly well-suited to people who take driving seriously and want to learn something rather than just go fast. Works well for birthdays, Christmas gifts and car enthusiast gifts. Gift vouchers are valid for 5 years.
What car do I drift in?
Venues use purpose-modified rear-wheel drive cars, typically Mazda MX-5s, Nissan 200SXs or similar lightweight sports cars with suspension and differential modifications optimised for controlled oversteer. The specific car varies by venue. Check the experience listing for details on what you'll be driving.
Is drifting safe?
Yes, within the structured environment of a drifting experience. The circuit is closed, the car is set up for the activity, and an instructor is present throughout. You build speed and technique progressively. The briefing covers all safety protocols before you drive. Follow the instructor's guidance and the experience runs the way it's designed to.