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Originally Posted by a2cpc
Oh, I agree that it existed before TV. But its modern form and popularity owes itself to TV.
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Popularity, maybe, but a lot of that is grassroots. Drifting competitions have always been sort of "made for TV", even looking back at Option Videos in Japan 15-20 years ago.
D1GP was founded and promoted by all the various magazine/videos that Dai Inada owned. No coincidence that Keiichi Tsuchiya also hosts several videos with his other two co-judges.
I do know that me having being involved in drifting in the states since 2001, the popularity these days is a combination of several different factors, but the biggest part is the grassroots support and feeder series that keep it relevant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by a2cpc
Subaru needs exposure in youth markets.
Look at what they do sponsor in the States. GRC, Rally, and now Drifting. Except for maybe Rally, they aren't doing it for the betterment of the sport or car, it is for advertising aimed at young/extreme sports people. Is there any more efficient way to get cheap advertising?
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Every car maker needs exposure in youth markets. The older your demographic, the worse it gets in the long run...
Not going to dissect the details but every car maker that races is doing it for advertisement first, and "betterment of the sport" second.
Quote:
Originally Posted by a2cpc
But it is always about beating something, if not against a clock, to a specific point. Can you not win a Drift event and never pass your opponent? Drift is a tremendous example of driving skill.
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Why can't it just be about beating your opponent on specific criteria that is determined by 3rd party judges? The point of "not passing" in drifting is to show equal/superior driving skill versus your opponent. Anyone can chase/pass with a high HP car, but if you can match a car twice your power output turn for turn, then you'd get high marks.
In any case, it's not something going away. Not with a well-managed staff and series direction.
-alex