Drifting... sport or no sport?

[mazspeed]

Originally Posted by JayR

That judged argument isn't getting any events pulled from the Olympics or the ESPN X-Games so you might reconsider your "final score" opinion about sports unless you can keep up with a pro drifter which is what their judging is based on. What's next, denying the skills of a world class gymnast, skateboarder, or freestyle MXer because they don't have to make touchdowns? Ever seen the X-Games? It's one of the biggest draws on ESPN and the vast majority of it is judged. Those guys jumping 150 feet on motorcycles used to race them until they saw how much $$$ the freestylers were making and it's still a sport and they're still athletes.
Who here hasn't had a smile plastered on his or her face from perfectly negotiating a corner by only using the throttle and some skill?? Would you say no if someone offered to pay you for it? I doubt it. If you still want to argue the merits of whether it's a sport or not, try to go out and keep up with them. They have major skill and brass clankers to slide a car around a corner at 80+ completely sideways close enough to the next car to look the driver in the eye. A lot of the top pros in drifting were pro rally drivers which is undeniably a sport but isn't too big in this country so if they want to get paid to drive, they go drifting where the money and sponsors are and if they can make a living sliding a car around a course, good for them! It's a car guy's dream.
Even if it's not a "true sport" in the sense of judging instead of timing, Can anyone here say they wouldn't love to go out there on someone else's dime or watch an event without admitting major skill and enjoying yourself?
The Formula D schedule just added an event in my area this August and I can't wait to see them! Check it before you dismiss it!

I did see this abomination on ESPN once, my wife asked me to turn it, and I did. I could not turn the channel fast enough, but I have also seen bathtub racing and World Series of Poker, The Fishin' Hole, and yes Dodgeball, so I don't consider ESPN the greatest sports channel in the world. I mean really, they have events for how many hot dogs you can eat. Give me a break. I also think the XGames are a joke, and I'm sorry but I no longer watch the Olympics. Too many worthless events, and I can't stomach watching sports that have no place in what used to be a great event as the Olympics was. It's all about sponsors, and what they will pay for and want to see. I'm sorry to say but sponsors will sponsor anything that they think dumb people will watch. If they thought people would watch underwater basket weaving they would have billboards for underwater tampons and douche ads. Just because someone sponsors something doesn't make that something a sport. Sorry just my judgmental opinion. I'm going to write to ESPN to see if they can get behind a "real sport". Beer chugging. I mean we can't get enough sexy beer ads in my book. Don't let my opinion think this is a cut on you JayR, it's not.