Drift racing competitions determine how well you drift, sometimes whilst solo on a race circuit, other times with other drivers - both those you are competing against, and those you are competing with (for example in team events). Points are awarded for style and speed; someone tearing around the circuit setting a blistering track time with a couple of 'tail out' moments will lose to a slightly slower competitor who slides gracefully around the whole track.
Drifting is surprisingly easy and cheap to get into. Trampdrift is a community dedicated to budget drifting, whereas larger and more diverse community sites such as Driftworks cater for all tastes and budgets. Fully marshalled and tutored practice days and beginners days are run every couple of weeks at locations around the country, and at several you can apply for a BDC (British Drift Championship) novice licence and start competing. Instruction is often given for free by keen amateurs and seasoned competitors alike, there is a huge community spirit and camaraderie evident at these events.
Alongside the BDC is the slightly higher standard European Drift Championship, focused mainly around events in the UK and one in Poland for 2008, but more countries are expected to participate in 2009. As well as the BDC and EDC pair, there also exist other series: JDM and ProDrift amongst others.
Drifting is a great spectacle for the crowd, and where 1-on-1 battles between the top two can't be resolved on a single circuit, the crowd's shouts of "one more time" get repeated over and over until one of the judges declares a winner or a car component breaks disqualifying the competitor.
Make no mistake, this accessible and exciting motorsport is going to grow exponentially. It has all the grand spectacle and bloodthirsty spectator involvement of the brutal gladiator shows of ancient rome, and the chance for people to have a go themselves and get involved at entry level for a very low outlay.
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