Therefore, the concept of "triple drift", as is often applied in a standard holding pattern, is not a good idea in an initial approach segment.
An excellent point. To first order, the "drift ratio" to apply on the o/b is the ratio of the total time including the outbound leg and turns to the time on the outbound leg.
Examples:
Standard 1 min hold: (1 min + 2 x 1 min turns) = 3 min total to 1 min o/b so 3x drift
3 min ractrack: (3 min + 2 x 1 min turns) = 5 min total to 3 min o/b so ~1.7x drift
3 min base turn: (3 min + ~1 min turn) = 4 min total to 3 min o/b/ so ~1.3x drift
Of course the last one is the contentious one.
