How did it start? Drifting was first made popular in Japan and was quickly adopted by the west in the late '90s. It was started by a Japanese racing driver called Kunimitsu Takahashi who started his career in motorcycling but turned his hand to the car racing in the All Japan Touring Car Championship.

Where in Japan did drifting originate?

Legend has it that drifting started in the 1960s in the snowy mountains of Japan, where drivers would slide cars through tight turns. In time, it found its way into Japanese motor sports when racers would speed into the apex of a corner, then drift through it rather than brake.

Is drifting illegal in Japan?

Even today, there is a drifting scene in Japan that drives illegal races on the public road. Also known as Touge Street Drifting, illegal motor sport racing is described as very exciting, very tough and extremely illegal. ... The vehicle control demonstrated by the drift racers can be admired there.