Venues like that would actually be expensive in many ways. Insuring is expensive as well. Check out Drift Indy we currently are hosting events in a oval track and having a lot of fun and being around a bunch of cool positive guys and getting as much seat time as possible. Yes you can check out
www.clubfr.net the guys up there have done a great job and have alot of events in the Wisconsin area. Where in Indy are you located? Feel free to come check
www.driftindy.com. If you are in southern Indiana Outbrake host events at the Sportsdrome. More information can be found here
http://www.outbrakemotorsports.com/
But to answer your question many organizer in the Midwest are working with different venues in order to host bigger better drifting areas for drivers. Some of us try to be as positive as we can, after all it is drifting.
I don't understand what you are trying to say Andy with saying
"Just because somebody decided to charge people money for something you can go do on your own in any parking lot"