Gymkhana 18 at The Ridge - May 1st
 

https://www.facebook.com/events/527582115415351

Drift event at The Ridge in Shelton, WA. I have been to a few of these in the past and had a lot of fun. They take over a large area of a parking lot to setup a cone course.

There is a cap of 15 people so you will get plenty of seat time over the 8 hour event.

https://i.imgur.com/iX3xLZj.png

Maybe a stupid question, but, is there a local school that teaches drift skills? If not, how do you learn so you can participate in these gymkhanas?

Not that I know of, but there are some drift groups up in WA that do events at Evergreen and Spirit Peaks. There was also one that was doing skid pad days at the Ridge. Maybe try hitting up one of those groups and telling them you are interested in learning.

There was: http://theschoolofdrift.org/

This was Chelsea Denofa's school but he left Portland a few months ago. And drifting at PARC is on an indefinite pause I think due to sound complaints at the county level.

Spirit Peaks is still going but I don't think there's a formal school component, just show up and practice.

These events are a great place to learn! New people are regularly welcomed and experienced drivers are often happy to give advice or maybe even jump in the car with you. The course is in part of the parking lot at The Ridge and includes an area where you can just practice donuts / figure 8s instead of trying the actual course. They are planning on doing this as a monthly event so maybe come out next month.