How much does a professional drifter get paid?

Answer 1

If you are a privateer with no sponsors, then you don't get paid at all. It is you that is paying for the parts, the tires, the entry fees, the transportation, ect. You're just there to compete and have fun at your own expense.

If you are a privateer with sponsors, you still don't get paid; however, you get paid in the sense that you get free tires, brakes, body kits, ect. It just depends on what company you are sponsored by and depending on that company will determine the free stuff you will get from them.

Finally, if you are sponsored and "work" for them, then you get paid. Of course you will get the free parts, maybe even a free $100,000 car to compete with, but you are an employee of that company and you will get paid to compete, make public appearances to promote their product, and whatever else they want you to do.

Drifting events like D1GP and Formula D don't pay drivers to compete. The only way professional drivers get paid is by the big sponsor they work for and those paychecks usually come from doing other things as well. It really depends on who your boss is and how many jobs they make you do. You can make hundreds to even thousands of dollars per task. Like mentioned, it really depends on which company you sign your life away to.