Formula Drifting in Japan

Professional drifting was first officially created in United States in 2003, alt
hough it is sometimes said 2004. The Formula Drift Championship was created by
Formula Drift, Inc. Although professional drifting is still considered a new spo
rt in the United States, it is not new in Japan. In fact, drifting has always be
en popular in Japan, as in the United States, long before a professional series
was developed. In Japan, that professional series is known as the D1 Grand Prix.
The D1 Grand Prix, also commonly referred to as Professional Drift or D1GP, was
founded in 2000. It has one of the first professional drifting organizations in
the entire world. In fact, its early development had led it to be known as one
of the most well known, most popular, and most trusted of all drifting organizat
ions. It has been said that all other professional drifting organizations or se
ries turn to the D1 Grand Prix for guidance and more information on the sport.
The D1 Grand Prix was so popular in Japan that is skyrocketed the popularity of
drifting. In fact, a large number of fans wanted to become drifters, themselves.
Unfortunately, competition in the D1 Grand Prix was an expense that not many c
ould afford. That was why the D1 Street Legal, also commonly known as D1SL, seri
es was created. Unlike the D1 Grand Prix, which has a large number of rules and
regulations, the D1 Street Legal series, which was created in 2005, allows the
use of traditional street cars, or road vehicles. This only increased the popul
arity and the appeal of drifting in Japan, as well as in other areas of the worl
d.
The D1 Grand Prix was created as a Japanese drifting series; however, it would l
ater leave Japan. Although most of the events still take place in Japan, a fairl
y large number of events have been hosted outside of the country. Some of these
events were hosted in the United States. In fact, when the D1 Grand Prix came to
the United States, for the first time, they visited the Irwindale Speedway, in
California. It has long been said that event was what helped to spark the devel
opment of a professional drifting series in the United States. In addition to t
he Formula Drift Championship, the D1 Grand Prix USA also exists; however, it is
globally run. This means that not all competitions take place in the United Sta
tes.
In addition to making its way into the United States, the D1 Grand Prix also mad
e its way into Europe. This just recently occurred in the year 2005. Although
the sport of drifting has been professional for only a short period of time in E
urope, it is apparent that it is just as popular. The fan turn out for the first
D1 Grand Prix event in Europe was larger than what was originally anticipated.
That is one of the seasons why a D1 Grand Prix Series was also developed in Eur
ope, as it was in the United States.
As previously mentioned, drifting existed in the United States before the profes
sional Formula Drift Championship was established. However, the establishment o
f this championship series has not only made the sport more popular, but more en
joyable as well. Despite the fact that drifting did already exist in the United
States, there is a good chance that without the influence of the D1 Grand Prix,
professional drifting still may not exist today.
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