The phrase "What happened, Mr Drifter?" became popular in relation to incidents involving reckless or failed drifting attempts, typically captured on video or witnessed in public spaces. One notable story is from Auckland where a person's car was stolen and used for drifting while they were at home. The car was driven recklessly, leading to a crash and the driver’s arrest after unsuccessfully claiming the car was stolen. The event was widely discussed and mocked online for the driver's poor skills and unfortunate "drive of shame" afterward.

Additionally, in Mosman, Sydney, the phrase has been tied to reckless acts causing damage in public spaces, such as tire ruts on the grass at Rosherville Reserve and damage to the turf cricket wicket at Allan Border Oval. These acts sparked community frustration and calls for more responsible behavior.

Thus, "What happened, Mr Drifter?" has become a catchphrase linked to incidents where drifting or reckless driving goes wrong, causing either social media buzz or real-life damage to public property.