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Is drifting actually a sport?

Wiseguy

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Jul 26

Is drifting actually a sport?

We've just been having a bit of a barney in my office about drifting. I really don't think it’s a motorsport but I know a lot of people here are into it so thought I'd put it to the group.

There is definitely a talent to drifting well and there needs to be a decent amount of technical ability behind the car, but when it comes to competitions there's no racing, no timed element and the winner is chosen entirely subjectively.

For those of you who don't know, the winner of a drift event is determined by a panel of judges who score each session. As such I'd say that drifting as a sport has more in common with ice dancing than formula one or rallying.

For me it's an exhibition event that various people are trying to make money out of. I've got nothing against this - I'd just be interested in hearing whether other people think of it as a proper motorsport and why.