Ford employees “Test” the Focus RS Drift Stick

Although it’s not an easy job, someone must do it.

The Drift Stick. We used to never think of Driftstick being capitalized in a sentence. This was before drifting evolved from a hobby for kids on back roads to a profession. However, if we are honest, we think Ford’s Drift stick is still aimed at kids on back roads. Only the difference now is that they are grown up. They apparently work for Ford Performance.

The Drift Stick, an add-on accessory for the all-wheel drive Ford Focus RS is a handy reminder. It was first introduced at SEMAin Las Vegas last year. The Drift Stick is a convenient lever that locks the rear brakes when pulled. It sounds a lot like a standard handbrake. However, the Drift Stick does more than just clamp the rear brakes. The Drift Stick also disengages the rear differential electronically and uses the ABS system to lock them.

It works in a similar way to a hydraulic handbrake used in rally cars. Ford will allow you to install it without invalidating the factory warranty. The only thing you can damage are your rear tires and possibly your entire car if you make an unwise handbrake turn in your driveway. Ford states that the Drift Stick is only for track use.

This latest video from Ford Performance shows them “checking” that the Drift Stick worked properly before releasing it to the public. It is hard to imagine how all-wheel drive donuts could have created a smoke show, but perhaps it was smoke from a failed head gasket.

Ford also has a solution. The head gasket fix is not expensive, unlike the $999 Drift Stick.