As a prominent figure among Touge drivers, Tsuchiya recognized the ideal conditions of switchbacks and hairpin turns for perfecting the art of drifting. Seeing potential beyond the confines of underground racing, he envisioned bringing drifting into the mainstream. In 1987, he embarked on this mission by securing funding from various garages and publishers entrenched in the street racing scene to produce videos. The inaugural video showcased Tsuchiya's remarkable skills as he expertly navigated a Toyota AE 86 GTV Levin through the challenging Usui touge, a scenic mountain pass near Nagano and Tsuchiya's home turf. The video swiftly gained traction, both domestically in Japan and globally, even before the advent of the internet. This marked the emergence of drifting as a bona fide sport, albeit at a cost to Tsuchiya: the loss of his driver's license.

Formula DRIFT, also referred to as Formula D or FD, stands as a premier motorsport drifting series based in the United States. Established in 2003 by Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage, it emerged as a subsidiary of Slipstream Global Marketing, the same partnership credited with introducing the D1 Grand Prix to the United States. This new venture would exclusively oversee, manage, and launch the inaugural official drifting series in North America. Presently, Formula DRIFT boasts a roster of 81 licensed drivers competing in PRO and PROSPEC (previously known as PRO 2) divisions as of October 2023. The series unfolds across eight rounds held at various race tracks throughout North America. Distinguishing itself from traditional racing, Formula DRIFT places emphasis on criteria such as line, angle, and style, rather than sheer speed in completing the course.