I lived in Japan, and I saw Drifting first hand. Here is my take.

Drifting is actually a form of mountain racing. Japan is an Island, and is nothing but mountains. The roads were tight and curvy (much more than any US mountain pass I've ever driven). Needless to say, Drifting through the mountain passes is probably the quickest way, but it takes skill. Skill must be learned.

First, you must consider Drifting as a form of autosport. There hasn't been a new form of Auto Racing in the USA in decades. What do you think people thought about drag racing when it first evolved? Burning tires and speeding to the end of a 1320' foot course...WHY? Stupid, right?

1/4 mile racing is about time
RR is about laps and time
Auto-X is about Time
Rally is about Time
Drifting is about Form and function.

In the next few years, you will see drifting becoming more recognized and sanctioned. Don't hate it becuase it's new and you don't understand it. Drifting started off just the same way in Japan...

To each his own.

Charles

BTW, Front wheel cars can not truly "Drift". They can E-brake a turn, but they can't Drift.