Drift Attack is scheduled to arrive at Shimanoyama Circuit on September 7, 2026, giving FH6 players a short window to prepare before the new competition begins. While some players will be focused on finding the perfect drift car, there is another part of preparation that is easy to overlook: learning the circuit itself. Having enough FH6 Credits to build and tune a proper car is useful, but knowing where to brake, transition, and place the car will ultimately make a bigger difference.

The Shimanoyama Circuit is a long 4.2-mile loop with 18 turns, so it is not something most players will completely memorize after a couple of casual runs. Drift Attack also changes the way players approach drifting. Instead of simply chasing a high angle and maintaining speed, drivers need to think about specific lines and Clipping Zones. Spending some time practicing now can make the first serious attempts much smoother.

Unlock the Required Wristband

Before worrying about lap times or leaderboard positions, make sure the Yellow Wristband has been unlocked through the main Horizon Festival campaign. Drift Attack requires this progression, so players who have not reached the necessary point will not be able to activate the event at Shimanoyama.

If you are still progressing through the campaign, completing the required festival activities should come first. Once the wristband requirement is handled, you can use the circuit for focused practice rather than discovering that the event is unavailable when the update arrives.

Learn the Circuit in Sections

Trying to memorize all 18 corners at once can become confusing. A better approach is to divide Shimanoyama into several recognizable sections and learn the important features of each one.

The opening uphill straight is particularly important because it allows the car to build considerable speed before a demanding braking area. Practice entering this section at different speeds and learn how much braking your car needs before initiating the drift. Overcommitting here can send the car wide or cause a spin before the run has properly started.

The Mountain Esses deserve their own practice sessions. These linked S-curves require quick changes in direction, making them a good test of weight transfer. Instead of relying heavily on the handbrake, practice using throttle control and steering to move the car naturally from one drift into the next.

The downhill portion near the finish has another challenge. The car naturally gains speed, which makes braking and throttle control more difficult. A smooth transition is often safer than trying to maintain maximum angle through every corner.

Practice the New Scoring Lines

Clipping Zones are one of the most important things to understand before Drift Attack launches. Normal drifting often encourages players to focus on angle, speed, and maintaining a slide. Here, positioning becomes much more important because Clipping Zones can provide a 2x score multiplier.

That means your usual drift line may not be the best line for this mode.

When a target is close to the inside curb, practice getting the car close to the apex while keeping enough angle to continue the drift. When the target is positioned toward the outside of a corner, work on extending the slide so the rear of the car reaches the scoring area without touching the barrier.

This is something that should be practiced repeatedly. You want the positioning to become automatic rather than something you have to think about during every corner.

Keep the Drift Alive

Drift Attack also rewards players who can connect sections smoothly. The mode works as a continuous loop, and points are banked at the end of each lap. Because of that structure, short straights between corners can become important opportunities to preserve momentum.

Try using small steering corrections, gentle handbrake inputs, or manji-style transitions when appropriate. The objective is not to make every piece of asphalt look spectacular. Instead, focus on maintaining control and entering the next corner with the right speed and angle.

At the same time, do not force a drift when it puts the entire run at risk. A controlled correction can be better than carrying an unstable slide into the next corner.

Test Different Drivetrains

The introduction of drivetrain labels on the live leaderboard gives players another reason to prepare different builds. RWD and AWD cars can produce very different driving experiences, and both are worth testing before launch.

A dedicated RWD setup can work well for players who enjoy traditional high-angle drifting and precise throttle control. AWD can be useful for drivers who prefer carrying more speed and having additional traction during faster transitions.

Try both setups around the entire circuit instead of judging them from one corner. A car that feels excellent through the Mountain Esses may not be as comfortable during the downhill section.

Final Practice Before Launch

The most useful preparation is not simply earning more power or building a car with extreme drift capability. Spend your remaining practice time learning Shimanoyama's braking points, transitions, apexes, and likely scoring lines. Players who already understand the circuit will have a much easier time improving once Drift Attack becomes available. If you still need resources for your preparation, some players may prefer to buy FH6 Credits and spend that time building instead of repeatedly grinding for them.