Why You Need A Clutch Pedal On Your Drift Sim Rig

If you’re using a two-pedal setup on your drift sim rig, adding a clutch pedal will be a game-changer for improving your drifting skills.

When you watch YouTubers showing off their skills in realistic drift simulators such as Assetto Corsa, you aren’t alone if you head straight to your favorite retailer to check out the prices of steering wheels and pedals with plans of having your own drifting sim setup. Prices vary wildly, with a basic entry-level setup costing around 150 bucks and a top-spec cockpit potentially costing more than $15k.

Offerings such as a basic Thrustmaster TMX, which costs just $150, are a much better alternative to a controller for getting started with a wheel and pedal setup. However, one of the main downsides is the two-pedal (brake and throttle) aspect, with no option for a third clutch pedal.

While a two-pedal setup is okay in the very early stages of learning how to drive or even doing some donuts as you get used to the wheel, within a few days of serious effort, where you want to get throwing your car sideways, you’ll likely regret your decision. The “buy cheap, buy twice” theory strikes again.

For an entry-level option, something like the Thrustmaster T300 RS, while more than twice the price, will provide a three-pedal setup with the much-needed addition of a clutch alongside plenty of other benefits. These include improved forced feedback, a superior brushless motor, and 1080 degrees of rotation (over the TMX’s 900 degrees), which is a huge benefit for big-angle drifting. The superior build quality and feel are also noticeable.

At this point, you’re probably wondering why we keep rambling on about why the clutch pedal is necessary for drifting, so let’s dive into our reasoning.

Why A Drift Sim Clutch Pedal Is A Game-Changer

When it comes to drifting, you might think car control is all about the wheel, throttle, and e-brake, but there’s much more to it, especially when you’re pushing your limits with advanced techniques and want to refine your skills. Enter the unsung hero of the drift world – the clutch pedal. (Yes, that thing again!)

For many sim racers, the clutch pedal is a “nice to have” rather than a “must-have” addition, but it’s not just a fancy add-on. It’s a secret weapon that can take your virtual tire-shredding skills from meh to mind-blowing.

Check out the pedal cam in this video, where YouTuber EvlRabbit shows off his tandem skills in Assetto Corsa:

As you can see, he’s constantly utilizing the clutch pedal throughout. When it comes to aggressive driving, it becomes even more essential. Here are some main techniques for a clutch pedal to level up your drifting skills.

Improved initiations

The “clutch kick” technique is perfect for initiating and controlling drifts without using your e-brake to initiate, which not only looks weak but also drags your rear tires, forcing you to lose speed and making it hard for your buddies to chase in tandem. This is particularly true for lower-powered cars, where you must maximize your little power. Having a clutch pedal allows you to master this technique.

More precise car control

The clutch pedal unlocks a new level of precision in car control. It allows you to fine-tune the power delivery and weight transfer, both essential elements in drifting. With the clutch, you have full control over the behavior during slides and transitions, mimicking the subtle weight shifts of real-world drifting.

Refining advanced driving techniques

If you plan to get into drifting properly, you’ll need to get used to the clutch pedal soon anyway, so it’s best to get into good habits early on, even if it seems challenging. It’s much cheaper than potentially piling your real-world drift car into a wall due to a lack of skills! The clutch pedal will allow you to practice advanced techniques at home, saving you the embarrassment and cost of doing so on the track.

Alongside clutch kicking, you can work on other techniques, such as heel-and-toe downshifting and left-foot braking.

Can’t I Assign A Clutch Button On My Wheel Instead?

Contrary to popular belief, a clutch pedal isn’t simply an on/off switch when drifting. The magic happens when you have precise control and use it with precision, more like you would a throttle or a brake pedal.

Plus, using the wheel for drifting isn’t the same as you may have encountered in the likes of F1 racing. Once you’ve got enough practice, you’ll soon be using the full rotation of your wheel from lock to lock, which ranges from 900 degrees for an entry-level wheel to up to 2,520 degrees with a premium Fanatec. Believe us when we tell you that you won’t stand a chance trying to press the clutch button that you’ve assigned on your wheel mid-transition!

Why Not Just Use Auto Transmission?

Opting for “Auto” on a drifting sim rig has several significant drawbacks. Not only will it often put you in the wrong gear for what you intend to do, but the lack of control limits your ability to initiate properly and makes it much harder to precisely manage power delivery and weight transfer. It also reduces the realism, as nearly all real-life drift cars use manual transmissions for these reasons.

Now that you understand why a clutch pedal is so beneficial, we’ll leave you with this pedal cam of Mad Mike getting the most out of his 4-rotor 26B MADBUL Mazda RX-7 at the track as you prepare to put your skills to good use!

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