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