Drift
★★★★★
Pevely, Missouri, hosts Thunder Valley Drift Park, a venue dedicated to judged sideways car control. This motorsport, known as drifting, challenges drivers to maintain precise angles and lines as their vehicles slide through the course. Spectators can witness skilled car control as participants practice and compete at this focused drift park.
Know Before You Go
- Open drift days
- Public drift sessions run $50-150 for 2-3 hours of seat time. Helmet, fixed-back seat, and 4-point harness are typically required. Loaner gear is often available.
- Tire reality
- Plan on burning a complete set of rear tires per session. Used 200-treadwear tires from a tire shop are the cheap path; staggered sizes are common.
- Car prep that helps
- Hydraulic e-brake, welded or locked rear differential, and 60+ degrees of steering angle make a huge difference. Stock cars CAN drift — they just don't last.
- Coaching
- Most events pair newer drivers with a coach who rides along or radios from the side. Take advantage — drift technique is much faster to learn with feedback.