true. it is all about becoming more one with the car. in the sence of having total control of the car and knowing perfectly how it will react to you driving inputs. the driver is in pursuit of being able to put the car where he/she wants and to have the car in the position needed to keep the slide going. as for grip, knowing how to drift a good deal will help the driver know the limitations of the car and the tires it is shodded with, so he/she can push the threshold of that limit.as for the cost of tires it doesnt matter.
i know enough about it to throw my car around like a bad girfriend but dont lable myself with such a subjective title.