The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

I only have one question about this movie: Is drifting actually an efficient method of forward locomotion? Seems like you'd be better served to just drive normally. Especially during the chase scenes of the movie where they're drifting down straight roads, and making turns for no apparent reason. Seems like if you directed all your power into going forward, rather than side to side, you'd be much better off.