How to Build the Best RC Drift Track

Building a radio-controlled track for drifting is no small feat. Many different things must be accounted for, such as the track surface, amount of corners, width of the track and barriers. Building a successful drifting track may also be costly, because of the amount of materials and time that must be put into the track. Radio-controlled drifting competitions normally calculate points based on the drifting used and the position the vehicle finishes in. It is important to have the correct surface to balance friction between the track and tires.

Set aside about 50 square feet of space to create the drifting track. Prime areas for a drifting track would be in a private lot or large basement. Measure the area using the measuring tape, and mark the area with cones or small flags.

Place the cement mix in a wheelbarrow with the help of a shovel. Combine water and the cement mix to create concrete. Use this to create a 50-square-foot surface area about 2 inches thick. This will be the low-friction surface used for drifting the radio-controlled cars on. Let the concrete harden for 24 hours.

Design a track with multiple turns and straightaways, using graph paper and pencil. Determine the size of the turns for drifting. The turns can either be sharp or wide. Designing the track is a matter of personal preference.

Create the outer lines of the track on the concrete surface, using white spray paint. The lanes should be about 4 feet wide. Measure the lane width for equality, using the measuring tape. The outer lanes should match up with the track design that was drawn to scale. Paint the start and finish line on the track with the white spray paint.

Create the point zones for drifting with the yellow spray paint. Spray an even coat of paint around the center of each turn. During a drift in this zone, points will be allotted to the driver.

Line the perimeter of the track with plastic tubes to prevent damage to the vehicles if they lose control. Screw the barriers in place with 4-inch screws using a power drill. Medium-sized soft, hollow electrical tubes work best--as opposed to a hard, polyvinyl tube--because they will minimize damage to the vehicles if they are hit.

Adorn the track with racing decorations, if desired. Flags, artificial turf and sponsor banners are just a few different things that can be used to decorate the track to make it look more professional.