GTsmoke_420
Initially a prominent member of Project D, TES_420 otherwise known as – ‘GTsmoke_420‘, first honed his skills with Sport Soft tires, mastering the high-speed, grip-oriented drifts characteristics of togue racing – or what’s also known as: Inertia Drifting**. His transition to the 420Boyz marked a significant shift to Comfort Softs, later known as Comfort Hards in GT7, adapting to the evolving demands of the game and contributing to the contemporary style of Comfort Tire drifting – what is now currently seen on the majority of drift car builds on Gran Turismo® 7 as the most recommended drifting tire.
TES_420
TES_420 aka ‘GTsmoke_420‘ is celebrated in the SDC website’s Hall of Fame, The Golden Shrine, for his influential role in shaping the drifting culture within Gran Turismo® 7.
TES_420’s induction into The Golden Shrine transcends all of his technical skills.
He is recognized for his unwavering loyalty and dedication to fostering a responsible, prominent and ethical drifting community. His notable defense of his alliance team against underhanded tactics from another opposing team under times of extenuating circumstances – not only exemplifies his commitment to his own 420Boyz Drift Crew but also his readiness to uphold the integrity of the SDC x 420Boyz Drift Alliance Oath. This alliance, emblematic of his leadership, ensures that teams who are totally unaffiliated with SDC can still collaborate to enhance the GT7 Drift Scene. Despite facing a two-week ban for his actions in aiding SDC when faced against the enemy on the front lines, TES_420‘s resilience and protective nature over his teammates and the broader community remain undeterred, making his contribution invaluable and his induction well-deserved.
Thank you, TES – for making Gran Turismo® 7 a better place for newcomers and not only that, but for the future SDC x 420Boyz & Gals alike! WE at SDC humbly thank you for your genuine nobility and heroic actions.
Inertia Drifting**
Inertia Drifting, also known as Scandinavian Flick(s), Pendulum Turn(s), or Feint Drifting, is a technique used in motorsport to initiate a drift by leveraging the car’s inertia. This maneuver involves momentarily steering the car away from the intended turn and then sharply back towards it. This action shifts the vehicle’s weight to the outside wheels, creating an imbalance that, when quickly reversed, throws the weight to the opposite side. This shift in momentum causes the rear tires to lose traction, initiating a drift. The technique is particularly useful in motorsport disciplines like rally racing where traction varies greatly and in drifting competitions where aggressive and showy maneuvers are favored.
Importance of Using the Manji in Drifting Competitions:
- Maintaining Speed and Momentum:
- In Formula Drift and similar competitions, maintaining momentum through extended drift sequences is crucial for scoring. The manji technique—where the driver swings the car back and forth across the track in a controlled, side-to-side sliding motion—helps maintain vehicle speed and momentum during transitions between corners or while extending a drift along a straight or slightly curved segment of the track.
- Enhancing Showmanship:
- Drifting is not only about precision but also about the spectacle. The manji move, with its dramatic, sweeping motions across the track, adds visual flair and excitement, appealing to judges and spectators alike. This can lead to higher scores in competitions where style and crowd engagement are significant factors.
- Strategic Positioning in Tandem Drifts:
- In tandem drift events like those in Formula Drift, the lead car often uses manji maneuvers to challenge the following driver’s ability to maintain proximity and mirror the lead car’s movements accurately. This technique can be a strategic tool to test the following driver’s skill and precision.
- Application in GT7:
- In Gran Turismo® 7, employing inertia drift and manji techniques can significantly enhance a player’s performance in drift challenges and competitions. The game’s physics engine realistically simulates the effects of momentum and tire grip, allowing skilled players to use these techniques to navigate tracks more quickly and with greater style. Additionally, mastering such techniques in GT7 can improve a player’s overall driving skills, particularly in handling vehicle dynamics and weight transfer in high-speed racing scenarios.
Using the manji and mastering inertia drifting is essential for any serious drifter, both in real-life motorsports and in simulation games like Gran Turismo® 7, where precision, strategy, and showmanship converge to define the competitive edge.