Holy **** MP. that was a big question,
Also, I am not sure I undertsand the
I know it would sounds childish to you Jeff but what the people competing for in the drift competitions?
I compete for fun and because I am competetive. Or do you mean for the prizes?
Or how the hell do you know who is best? lol
Also, I dont think its childish man. If you actually really give a **** than its totally cool. If you asked to be a ****, then I hate you. Its like that
I would really like for you to come to an event just because it really is alot of fun. FUN is why I drift.
Well ,with drift and what is a better drift is a tough answer. Thats why so many people dislike and or do not "get " drifting because there are judgement calls and not just hard numbers like the fastest lap time. ALthough at some events a speed gun is used for entry speeds.
Some judges like more speed. Some like more angle. SOme like good lines. They let you know ahead of time want they want more of. The ideal situation would be hi speed, deep angle, and a dope race line. if you have a great angle and your line sucks and your slow as **** you wont win either

So it has to be a combo. SO single runs and tandem also differ. In tandem speed,angle,line matters, but its also more of a game of cat and mouse and who can hang with who. Again judged.
Also, you always want to be connecting your drift. I mean, you basically never want to be out of a drift. The better skill set you aquire the longer and better you can connect everything. I mean go through one turn and drift right into another.
Obviously this is not possible in all situations i.e. Horse thief mile in my car. It lacks power and no one could connect everything. There are too man straights that are too long. BUT remember, power is NOT the key. Now at the old drift days or Drift circuit they would set up a track that you could initiate in 2nd or 3rd and connect the entire thing no sweat. I mean, power was not an issue.. SO fun...
ANyway, with tires, most start out crappy in rear. ALways have good in front. I personally used to rock azenis up front and now I have the Rs2 up there. In the rear I have hankook HRII. I really like them. They grip well and last decent. They also start smoking up pretty nice. You smoke them up in a Miata and people take notice. NO Lifting!! they are bothe 195/50/15
Now, as for you drifting at SOWS its kinda a different deal. its not intentional. So you didnt go into that turn and initiate a drift. The tires were just sliding. A khumo 711 is def a driftable tire though. Now with a tire getting hot and drifting/slipping easier thats not so desireable either. When you are noob it may be ok, but you eventually want a tire to do more of what you tell it to rather than it getting sloppy and just ssliding all over.
I hope that helped man. I dont really follow the drift scene too much. I hear what I hear and see what I see. I know some people and its just a great time. I said that because someone may come in here and drop some more technical terms and **** like that. This is how I see it in plain talk man.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask. there are a couple good drifters on this board. I hope they chime in on what I have said...
-Jeff