In recent years, I've watched drifting become elevated to insane heights in America. The drifting forum is constantly buzzing, and lots of people are jumping on to try it.

On the other hand, autocross has never really had a "surge" in popularity, but instead it's participants seem to have risen steadily over time. This makes me wonder why autcross is not the new hot thing to do that drifting is. Me being only 19, I'm sure I could have easily gone to that direction instead of being interested in auto-x like I am now.

 

drifting is cheep

but i would rather grip

 

Drifting is more "rock and roll". It's high speed and involves lots of smoking tires.

It came from Japan. So did Pokemon...

I wouldn't be fooled by the current state of drifting though. If you ask me, it's close to its peak as far as its history in the USA. I have nothing against it at all, respect the level skill involved, etc... but I give it another 2 years in the mainstream that surrounds it this year, max.

I will gladly eat my words if that turns out to be false.

Autocrossing isn't publicized. It has no marketing behind it whatsoever.

 

I concur.

Don't get me wrong though, "professional" drifting is very exciting and a blast to watch, and if I had a car that was easy to drift, I might try it a couple times. But as for drifting being cheaper.....not sure I agree with that very much.

 

I agree with yall. Drifting to me is like Syncronized Swimming, im sure its difficult, and it may be neat to watch, but its not really "swimming" like the 100 meter freestyle is. Ya know? Bassically drifting is dancing with a car, where as AutoX is a great way to get into racing. I think itll be dead in this country, along with the JDM CRAZEEE YO within 2 years. mark my words

 

From what I heard, autox was much more popular in the 80s, with lots of corporate sponsorship. The SCCA fucked them all and they left.

 

That is true, but it wasn't any bigger than it is now. Just more money being dumped into it.

 

There's your answer. Autox is fun to do, but not fun to watch. Drifting is fun to watch.

The downfall of drifting, in spite of its current popularity, is that the "kids" (teens and 20-somethings) who are so enamored with it won't pony up to pay entry fees to DO it. They're only willing ot pay their $5 entry fee to WATCH it. Grassroots level drifting doesn't appear to be thriving as a result.

 

Another thing I find funny is that, many professional racers have gotten their start through autocross. However, I've never heard of anyone starting their career through drifting. It's usually the opposite way around, as people who have established motorsports careers (i.e JGTC) are the ones to enter drifting competitions.

I don't like to really come down on what someone else enjoys, as I have a few friends that do enjoy drifting. I do agree that within 2 years, drifting will be the underground thing it once was and no longer have the huge sponsorships and whatnot.


For what Leslie said, I don't agree with drifting being cheaper to do. Ever take a look at their forum? There are posts ALL the time about people breaking this control arm, that tie-rod, etc. And they wear out their tires on purpose!