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CONTINENTAL DRIFT; Will the sideways sport become the next import drag racing or the new F1?

Article Excerpt
Byline: MARK VAUGHN

The sport of drifting has had a little time to establish itself here in America-four years have passed since the first big U.S. drift competition-so it's time to ask: Has drifting become the next big thing yet? Or is it just a bigger thing than it was before?

It's still big in Japan, where the D1 GP has the most talented drifters in the world and a huge following. The sport is growing around the globe, too. In addition to events in the United States, there are now drifting series in New Zealand, Malaysia, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom and across continental Europe- even Poland (go, Bartosz Stolarski!).

Of the series here in the United States, Formula Drift is the biggest and best organized. The level of talent has increased from year to year, and many top drifters here would fare well even in D1. Formula Drift just concluded a seven-event national tour. It has big involvement from tiremakers, good participation from car manufacturers, a series sponsor and TV time on ESPN2....

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