MINOR DRIFTING

MINOR DRIFTING

Sir,

Mr. Johnson’s exuberant cornering is not a genuine, fully-controlled drift. The technique he described can be carried out with any car that has its centre of gravity reasonably well positioned and its wheels securely attached.

Cars of moderate power can only achieve a proper throttle. controlled drift on very acute bends with a smooth surface which are taken relatively fast in low gear. The use of brakes to start the slide gives better control than just locking over hard at speed, which is liable to cause the tail end to break away, making the car spin off the road.

Although the Minor is in many ways an excellent car, the sidevalve model is not as good as the Renault 750 or the post-war Standard Eight in performance or economy, and there is very little to choose between the three for roadholding. I am, Yours, etc.,

Cheltenham. ” MONOLITRE.” [All Morris Minors are now supplied with the 800-c.c. o.h.v. engine. We have never driven a post-war Standard Eight but must express surprise at this appreciation of its roadholding. The Morris is smoother to handle than the little Renault.—En.] * * *