(NEW FORMAT, TOP 32 TANDEM) FORMULA D's NEW Competition Format

[Formula D]

Is this so that Pro-AM guys can get qualified and compete in the Pro event in the same weekend?

No Pro-Am s a completely different beast and only planned for certain weekends.

Hey FD....With this new awesome format, I'm sure you guys are anticipating an increase in wrecks and crashes. What are the rules for the use of back-up or spare cars? Does the driver qualify or does the car? I'm assuming as long as it passes tech, there should be no problem.

We are not anticipating more crashes, nor do we want more crashes. Top 32 really only means one additional head to head match for each driver so they must only survive that to make it into the traditional top 16 format. We came to this after much deliberation and then testing it at RedBull. Most people agree is it more exciting and a good progression for the sport rather than single run qualifying which can get boring to some fans.

In 2008 we had a large percentage of our driver field make it into the top 16 more than one time so we know the competition gap between 32 ranked driver and say 16th ranked driver is not that big. For example, 32 ranked driver in 2008 was Calvin Wan. 16 ranked driver was Justin Pawlak. I don't think there is any real argument that either of those drivers are not skilled enough for this type of competition. Pawlak placed third at the last event of the year and Calvin is a seasoned vet

[OldSkool510]

Will this format eliminate that 2 hour gap between the rounds?

Last year was frickin hot and a majority of people either left or hung out under the bleachers during that break. Why not have amateurs run during the break or have the guys who didn't qualify put on some kind of exhibition, or even raffle off some ride alongs just to excite the crowd a little bit.

[Formula D]

Will this format eliminate that 2 hour gap between the rounds?

Last year was frickin hot and a majority of people either left or hung out under the bleachers during that break. Why not have amateurs run during the break or have the guys who didn't qualify put on some kind of exhibition, or even raffle off some ride alongs just to excite the crowd a little bit.

It may tighten it a bit, but that gap so people can have time in the paddock is necessary for teams and sponsors. The track has to be cold sometimes.

[SSmith]

No more seeds. Everyone must qualify and there will be 32 spots that need to be filled. Main day will consist of practice and head to head battles just like RBDWC.

FD, you've stepped up to the plate. I think you've realized that more and more fans skipped the solo runs because they are not that exciting. This new format should keep those fans coming in early to watch the entire event from start to finish.

[MonkeySlide]

FD, you've stepped up to the plate. I think you've realized that more and more fans skipped the solo runs because they are not that exciting. This new format should keep those fans coming in early to watch the entire event from start to finish.

I guess you never watched the solo runs at Irwindale?

Either way this is still pretty awesome for Formula D. Besides the constant action my favorite part in all this is that it will give the smaller teams a bigger chance at the big dogs.

Also if the TV package can cover all of the top 32 runs it will really help them out with sponsorship as well.

We came to this after much deliberation and then testing it at RedBull.

How long ago did you guys decide on doing this before making the official announcement? It seems to be too much of a big undertaking for it to have been decided at the last minute.

[Formula D]

Oh ya, this has been been discussed internally for over a year now and RedBull is where we wanted to test if from a competition standpoint and also from a timing stand point. Both seemed to work well so that pretty much answered all of our questions regarding the feasibility of top 32 and then it was just a matter of having on-going discussions with teams and sponsor which has been heavily in favor of this move. The timing of the release purely part of the PR push of the series.

[Bebop]

solo runs are the shiet

the time between them isn't

that's what FD never figured out imo

[Formula D]

solo runs are the shiet

the time between them isn't

that's what FD never figured out imo

Blaze trust me, that is my biggest b*tch that I have to our guys. I hate delays. Hate. But teams need the time they need and so they take it, but we plan to minimize that.

[Hubert Young]

Hey FD....With this new awesome format, I'm sure you guys are anticipating an increase in wrecks and crashes. What are the rules for the use of back-up or spare cars? Does the driver qualify or does the car? I'm assuming as long as it passes tech, there should be no problem.

Believe it or not, many of us fans go to watch the drifting, crashes, and more crashes. It will be cool to see some of these guys drive their back-up S13's,
S14's, AE's, etc....Bring the old school cars back!!!!

This new format will have a huge impact on automobile manufacturer sponsored drivers. I don't know for sure, but I don't think they have back up cars, or do they? Their sponsorship probably prohibits them from driving something other than their brand. It would be nice to see Dai tearing it up in a S13, though.

If backup cars are allowed, it will drive up the cost of running the series dramatically. Most competitive teams who can afford it will have a second car ready and it will be transported around with the team, driving up costs. This is unfair to smaller guys who don't have the means to have a second car. Drifting is still very small and it relies quite heavily on smaller privateers. The series will fall apart if there are not enough competitors who can afford to run the whole series.

[Hubert Young]

Oh, and top 32 tandem is a great idea! Fans who enjoy watching the solo runs are mostly hardcore drifting fans can still catch it on qualifying day!

[cfrost]

eeeee can't wait!

[J-Rod]

Being the "Voice of Formula Drift" and being the LIVE MC for the Red Bull Drifting World Championships, I can tell you that the flow of the TOP32 Head to Head Battles is AWESOME!

I can't wait for Long Beach and the competition, the top drivers will be tested on their driving prowess and car control as they'll not only go against potentially less seasoned drivers but also potentially HP, set up and overall aggressiveness, but overall it will make for some interesting battles and potential upsets!

Good job FD and SEE YA'LL fans, crew, drivers and especially fans at FD LBC!!!!
Come say what's up, I'm just like you! A fan of this stuff!!!!

[SSmith]

I guess you never watched the solo runs at Irwindale?

If the only exciting runs are at Irwindale, then that's only 1 event out of the many during the season worth watching solo runs. Realistically, I haven't been to an event where all 32 drivers ride the wall like JR, Rhys, Sam, Dai, or Robbie. Or all 32 drivers' angle are as sick as Ueo's during RBWC.
You pretty much see similar runs from all drivers during solo runs.
The new format get you directly to the action and no more waiting around between solo and tandem.

FD, are you considering changing the rule to allow passing on tandem runs? I'm not saying just because D1 does it you should also, but to add more excitement for the fans. It's understandable in years past it wasn't a good idea to allow passing for safety reasons and the skill level wasn't there yet for a lot of the drivers, but I think it's time to reconsider because the overall skills from FD drivers have improved so much.

[my 1 88 u]

Seems like a pretty cool idea. Can't wait for Atlanta.

[YOitzJDM]

Does that mean that we could potentially see 45+ cars qualifying in 1 session? that's going to be an awefully long session...

at least last year, unseeded qualifying was typically only around 20-25 cars, and then you had 32 cars qualifying on Saturday morning. Qualifying on Saturday would take 2.5 - 3 hours with 32 cars, it seems like we could see a 4 hour qualifying session with 45 cars if everyone has to qualify at once!