Japanese Popular Culture.

Popular culture in Japan is one of the most diverse aspects of this hectic multi-layered land. For the purposes of this post I will focus solely on drift racing and it's metamorphosis from underground recreational activity to worldwide multi-million dollar enterprise. Drifting refers to a driving technique and to a motor sport where the driver intentionally over steers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels through turns, while preserving vehicle control and a high exit speed.

Although the technique of drifting has been evident in motor sports for decades, modern day drifting was born in the hills of Osaka in the early 80s. With the advent of the new freeway systems many of the old mountain roads were left empty. A small crew of thrill seekers claimed these roads as their own and began regularly pushing the limits of their high powered, real wheel drive street machines. Before long this small crew of drifters had developed a huge following and spurned a whole legion of copycats. By 1988 professional drift events were being staged at Tsukuba Circuit in Shimotsuma. http://www.motoracing-japan.com/circuit/09_tsukuba.html

Today drifting has evolved into a competitive sport where drivers compete in rear wheel drive cars to earn points from judges based on various factors. At the top levels of competition, for example the D1 Grand Prix from Japan and others in Malaysia, Australia, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Formula-D in the United States, King of Europe Drift Series in Europe, Drift Mania in Canada, and the NZ Drift Series in New Zealand. Despite the worldwide popularity of drifting, Japan remains universally lauded as both the premier drifting location and for spawning the greatest advocates of the technique. Drifting is one the most popular sports in Japan today, with drivers such as Kenji Takayama, Daigo Saito and Suenaga Naoto enjoying an almost cult like status amongst fans of the sport.

http://madeinatlantis.com/life/drifting_culture.htm