| The Barbagallo Raceway, originally known as | | | | cannot be held liable for any injury up to and including |
| Wannero Park, has been hosting races in Western | | | | death. |
| Australia since 1969. In the beginning, the annual race | | | | Drifting originated in the rural mountains of Japan. The |
| was a six hour long Le Mans style race with sedans | | | | first form of drifting was called Togue (mountain |
| and sports cars, but as time went on, interest in the | | | | racing). It was a popular racing technique used in All |
| races began to die down. As a result, production car | | | | Japan Touring Car Championships over 30 years ago. |
| racing replaced sedans are the major race type. | | | | Kunimitus Takahasi, former motor cycle racing legend |
| Drifting, while relatively new to the states, has been | | | | turned driver, is hailed as the creator of drifting. He |
| one of the primary race types in other countries for | | | | was well known for hitting the apex (the point where |
| years. Drifting, much like it sounds, is a lot like floating. | | | | the car is as close as it can be to the inside of a |
| It allows the driver to appear to almost float around | | | | turn) at the highest possible speed, then drifting |
| corners during a race. While drifting isn't for | | | | through the corner. Takihashi's dangerous but popular |
| everyone, and shouldn't be attempted in most cars, it | | | | technique earned him several awards and a group |
| has become extremely popular in racing over the | | | | of devoted fans in Japan who enjoyed watching |
| years. Drifting, while is amazing for the fans to watch | | | | Takahashi float around corners and burn rubber on |
| from the stands, also shaves time off the driver's | | | | tires. |
| time in the race. By drifting, it prevents the driver | | | | Years later, Keiichi Tsuchiya adopted Takahashi's |
| from having to slow down around corners, but, if | | | | technique and adopted it as he own, making a name |
| done incorrectly, could cause a serious accident. | | | | for himself in the racing community. His drifting |
| Attempting to drift a split second too early or a half | | | | technique led to videos being produced of Tsuchiya's |
| second too late can spell disaster not only for the | | | | skills. The video, being called Pluspy, introduced the |
| driver, but for any other racer unfortunate enough to | | | | world to the technique and served as inspiration for |
| be near them at the time. | | | | other drivers to attempt drifting themselves. |
| For this reason, drifting should only be done by | | | | The technique has evolved since then, and Americans |
| professionals. While there are some courses that | | | | have not only improved the technique, but in some |
| teach drifting, there are very few drivers who | | | | cases perfected it. Drifting is now turned into a |
| master the technique. Many have been injured in the | | | | competitive sport, where drivers are judged and earn |
| attempt, and a few drivers were actually killed as a | | | | points based on various factors. While extremely |
| result of a mistimed drift attempt. Courses that do | | | | popular, drifting is not recognized as a professional |
| teach drivers how to drift often require a waiver of | | | | form of motor sport by FIA. |
| some kind before the class begins, assuring they | | | | |