What types of drift are there?

The two base formats are solo drift (one car on track running a layout, judged on angle, speed, line and presentation) and tandem drift (two cars at once, one leading and one chasing, replicating line and angle). On top of that come the surface (asphalt, wet track, parking lot or autocross, gravel) and the driving style (aggressive, technical, grip-drift, show), plus the cultural split between competition and lifestyle.

Yes. Drifting is a motorsport discipline with rules, judges and championships. The FIA, which governs world motorsport, set unified world regulations for drifting in 2017 and that same year launched its first international competition, the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup; the 2026 edition runs from 13 to 15 November at Serres Circuit in Greece. Unlike a race, the first car to the line does not win: judges score how you drive, on criteria such as line, angle and style. It is also practised without competing, as a recreational activity on a closed track.

What is the difference between solo and tandem drifting?

Solo drifting is the base format: one car on track running a predefined layout, judged on angle, speed, line and presentation. It is where the fundamentals are built. Tandem is two cars at the same time — one leads and the other chases, replicating its line and angle. Technically it is far harder and requires fully mastering solo first.

What does tandem drifting mean?

Tandem drifting is when two cars drift the same corner together, very close to each other: one leads and the other chases, trying to copy its line and angle without touching it. In competition there are two runs with the roles swapped, and the judges compare both to decide who won the battle, as the FIA guidelines for drifting events describe it. It is the most spectacular format and the hardest one: solo drifting comes first.

Can I learn tandem drifting in my first class?

No. Tandem is not taught in any class: it needs two cars and the school runs a single BMW E36. What the Pro Driver Pack does train is the base tandem requires: transitions, angle control and consistency.

What type of drifting is taught in the classes?

Solo drifting on an asphalt track, with an instructor in the passenger seat. The car is a drift-prepared BMW E36 328i: rear-wheel drive with plenty of torque to break the rear axle loose, limited-slip diff (LSD) and dialed-in suspension. The cabin is clean and stock (factory seats, factory seatbelt). The track is a closed circuit facility in the outskirts of Buenos Aires.

Which class format should I start with?

If you want to try it once, the 30-minute Drift Intro at 300 USD (≈ $504.000 ARS) is the lowest-commitment choice. If you already know you are interested and want more time at the wheel, the 60-minute Drift Experience at 500 USD (≈ $840.000 ARS) adds intermediate techniques. If you want to get serious, the Pro Driver Pack is 5 sessions of 60 minutes for 2000 USD (≈ $3.360.000 ARS) (400 USD (≈ $672.000 ARS) per session).

May 23, 20261 min readUpdated: Nov 8, 2026

Types of Drift: Solo, Tandem, Surfaces and Styles

By Dmitrii McCarthy

Types of drift: tandem vs solo and driving styles

This article is currently available in Spanish. A native English version is coming soon. Quick summary: drift breaks down into solo (one car, scored on angle, speed, line and smoke — what you learn first) and tandem (two cars, lead and chase, judged on proximity and technique — what you see in Formula Drift). Within those, surfaces vary (asphalt, wet, parking lots, gravel) and styles vary (aggressive max-angle, technical clean lines, grip-drift hybrid, freestyle show). Competition and lifestyle are both legitimate paths and most drifters do both.

In our classes (Drift Intro 30 min $300 USD (≈ $504.000 ARS), Drift Experience 60 min $500 USD (≈ $840.000 ARS), Pro Driver Pack 5 × 60 min $2000 USD (≈ $3.360.000 ARS)) we teach solo asphalt drift. Tandem is not taught: it needs two cars and the school runs one. For full categorization, see the Spanish version of this article or message us on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

What types of drift are there?: The two base formats are solo drift (one car on track running a layout, judged on angle, speed, line and presentation) and tandem drift (two cars at once, one leading and one chasing, replicating line and angle). On top of that come the surface (asphalt, wet track, parking lot or autocross, gravel) and the driving style (aggressive, technical, grip-drift, show), plus the cultural split between competition and lifestyle.
Is drifting a sport?: Yes. Drifting is a motorsport discipline with rules, judges and championships. The FIA, which governs world motorsport, set unified world regulations for drifting in 2017 and that same year launched its first international competition, the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup; the 2026 edition runs from 13 to 15 November at Serres Circuit in Greece. Unlike a race, the first car to the line does not win: judges score how you drive, on criteria such as line, angle and style. It is also practised without competing, as a recreational activity on a closed track.
What is the difference between solo and tandem drifting?: Solo drifting is the base format: one car on track running a predefined layout, judged on angle, speed, line and presentation. It is where the fundamentals are built. Tandem is two cars at the same time — one leads and the other chases, replicating its line and angle. Technically it is far harder and requires fully mastering solo first.
What does tandem drifting mean?: Tandem drifting is when two cars drift the same corner together, very close to each other: one leads and the other chases, trying to copy its line and angle without touching it. In competition there are two runs with the roles swapped, and the judges compare both to decide who won the battle, as the FIA guidelines for drifting events describe it. It is the most spectacular format and the hardest one: solo drifting comes first.
Can I learn tandem drifting in my first class?: No. Tandem is not taught in any class: it needs two cars and the school runs a single BMW E36. What the Pro Driver Pack does train is the base tandem requires: transitions, angle control and consistency.
What type of drifting is taught in the classes?: Solo drifting on an asphalt track, with an instructor in the passenger seat. The car is a drift-prepared BMW E36 328i: rear-wheel drive with plenty of torque to break the rear axle loose, limited-slip diff (LSD) and dialed-in suspension. The cabin is clean and stock (factory seats, factory seatbelt). The track is a closed circuit facility in the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
Which class format should I start with?: If you want to try it once, the 30-minute Drift Intro at 300 USD (≈ $504.000 ARS) is the lowest-commitment choice. If you already know you are interested and want more time at the wheel, the 60-minute Drift Experience at 500 USD (≈ $840.000 ARS) adds intermediate techniques. If you want to get serious, the Pro Driver Pack is 5 sessions of 60 minutes for 2000 USD (≈ $3.360.000 ARS) (400 USD (≈ $672.000 ARS) per session).

Reading about it is one thing, driving it is another

Try it yourself: 30 min at the wheel, no experience needed. From 300 USD (≈504,000 ARS at the P2P dollar rate), Monday to Thursday. 1-on-1 instructor in a BMW E36 and a 50% deposit to book.

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