What to Bring to Your First Drift Class: The Complete Checklist (Clothes, ID and What NOT to Pack)
By Dmitrii McCarthy
What to bring to your first drift class, no fuss
You already decided to try drift and now the question is practical: what do I wear, what do I bring, what do I NOT need to pack. Good news — it is a short list. You do not need to buy anything special or kit yourself out like a pro driver. This is the complete checklist so you arrive ready for the track, without forgetting the one thing that matters and without carrying extra weight.
Here it is up front: long pants, closed thin-soled sneakers, 1 ID and a light stomach. That is everything you bring. The car, the helmet, the tires, the fuel and the video are on us — 5 things that are already included in the class. The track is in the outskirts of Buenos Aires and the exact location reaches you via WhatsApp upon confirmation. If at any point you are unsure, message us at +54 9 11 6833-3342 and that is it.
Let us go part by part. First how to dress, then the must-bring list, the optional stuff, what you do NOT need, and how to prepare your body for the day.
Dmitrii McCarthy, instructor: «Come in comfortable clothes and closed sneakers, nothing else. The helmet and the car are on us; the only thing you have to bring is a clear head.»
Clothes: what to wear
To dress, wear long pants and comfortable clothing that covers your legs, because the seat belt holds you firmly against the seat and anything that pinches or leaves bare skin will be uncomfortable. Aim for this:
- Long pants — jeans, joggers or track pants. Cover your legs because the seat belt is snug and rubbing on bare skin is annoying. No shorts or very thin leggings.
- A comfortable t-shirt — a plain cotton tee is perfect. It goes under the seat belt, so avoid bulky clothing or large zippers that get in the way across the chest.
- Layers if it is cold — a hoodie or light jacket you can take off. Inside the car with a helmet you warm up fast, so being able to adjust is best.
Footwear: the one non-negotiable
Footwear is the one thing you cannot improvise: wear closed thin-soled sneakers, because you drift with your feet and accelerate, brake and clutch with fine sensitivity over the pedals. That is why the right footwear is not a style detail, it is functional.
- Closed thin-soled sneakers — urban or skate-style sneakers. The thin sole lets you feel the pedals and meter the brake and throttle precisely. Closed so your foot stays firm.
And here is what does NOT work, so leave it at home:
- Flip-flops or sandals — ruled out, your foot slips off the pedal.
- Heavy or thick-soled boots — they kill the sensitivity over the pedals and make them clumsy.
- Heels — flatly no.
If you are torn between two pairs, always pick the lighter one with the thinner sole.
What to bring no matter what
The mandatory list is tiny: just two things, 1 ID (national ID or passport) and the will to do it. Nothing else is essential on your end:
- 1 ID: national ID or passport — you need it for the track contract. It is the only document we will ask for. No driver's license required: the class is on a closed private circuit, not on public roads.
- The will to do it — seriously. You do not need prior experience or to know drift. We sort out the rest on track with the instructor.
That is literally everything mandatory that you bring. If you want to see how this fits within requirements and age, we cover it separately in the drift class requirements guide.
Optional: nice to have but not essential
This is not mandatory, but if you have it handy, it improves the day:
- Your phone — to film and take photos before and after. The video of the day is already included anyway, so you do not depend on your phone to take the footage home.
- A water bottle — the adrenaline and the heat inside the car make you thirsty. Staying hydrated helps.
- Thin driving gloves — if you have them, they add grip and comfort at the wheel. Not mandatory; you drift fine without gloves.
- Glasses — if you wear glasses, no problem: they fit comfortably under the full-face helmet.
What you do NOT need to bring (we provide it)
Drift School provides the 5 expensive, technical things — the BMW E36 car, helmet, tires, fuel and video — so do not bring any of this, it is already included in the class:
- The car — a rear-wheel-drive BMW E36 328i, prepared for drift (locked differential, suspension dialed in and tires made for this), with a stock, tidy cabin. It is our working tool, not a fragile collector's car; it is built for this.
- The helmet — a certified full-face competition helmet. We give it to you at the track.
- The tires — they wear out and we provide them. You just drift.
- The fuel — included, you bring nothing.
- The video of the day — you take home the recording of your class without having to film it yourself.
Those are the 5 included things. That is why the list of what you bring is so short: the idea is that you arrive, get in and drift, with no logistics.
Preparing your body
The gear is half of it; the other half is how you arrive. Three simple things:
- Eat light beforehand — the lateral movements of drift can make you queasy if you go in with a heavy stomach. Something light, neither fasting nor with a full barbecue inside you.
- Sleep well the night before — you will be focused and full of adrenaline; rested, you enjoy it more and react better.
- Pick a relaxed day — better a day you arrive calm and not, for example, the day after a bachelor party. Arriving in one piece makes all the difference.
No prior medical exam is needed. If you have a specific condition (cardiac, epilepsy, a serious back problem) check it with your doctor first; when in doubt, message us and we will talk it through.
Before you leave home
The last step is to confirm the location via WhatsApp and leave with time to spare, because the track is in the outskirts of Buenos Aires and the exact address reaches you when the booking is confirmed. Two things so the logistics do not trip you up:
- Confirm the location via WhatsApp — the track is private and closed, in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. We send you the exact address when the booking is confirmed, so keep WhatsApp +54 9 11 6833-3342 handy and check the spot before setting off.
- Leave with time to spare — factor in Buenos Aires traffic and give yourself a margin. Arriving relaxed and unhurried is part of enjoying the class.
If you want to know exactly what happens once you arrive — the briefing, the laps, the timing — we walk you through it step by step in what to expect from your first drift class. And if you are still looking at numbers, how much a drift class costs in Buenos Aires has the detail of what each price includes. For the full picture of how to start, there is the pillar guide on how to learn to drift in Buenos Aires, and you can always see everything on the Drift School homepage.
Message us on WhatsApp to book a date and we will confirm the location and any doubt about what to bring. You can also book your class here. See you on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need gloves to drift?
No. Thin driving gloves add grip and comfort if you have them, but they are not mandatory. You drift fine without gloves; the only thing that really matters at the hands is you at the wheel.
Can I come in shorts?
Not advisable. The seat belt is snug and uncomfortable on bare skin. Wear long pants — jeans or joggers — and you are comfortable the whole class.
Do I bring my own helmet?
No need. The certified full-face competition helmet is included and we give it to you at the track. It is one of the 5 things we provide, along with the car, the tires, the fuel and the video.
Can I film the class?
Yes, bring your phone if you want. The video of the day is already included anyway, so you take home the recording without depending on your phone.
What document do I need?
1 ID: national ID or passport, for the track contract. You do not need a driver's license because the class is on a closed private circuit, not on public roads.