XTREME DRIFT CIRCUIT, PRO-AM Series

[courantcom]

Oh yeah...forgot to say that I like road courses because they always have proper facilities (bathrooms, concessions, etc.). In the paddocks, they have a lot of places to plug into for electricity as well.

[Piner]

I think drifting would be problematic to host in a stadium due to tire smoke lol

[Bebop]

I think road course>oval>parking lot. I like watching the cars tandem on the oval "bank". You can totally get a sensation of how "close" they come to one another. I also like the seating arrangement for oval tracks. Just about every spot in the grandstand is a good seat. .

I agree but IMO the sad thing is as of late tandem drifting in the US has become boring in my eyes. The last time I went to a event and saw some consistent tandem shootouts was at D1 06. Don't get me wrong, I can remember some good FD battles but as of late every potential slobber knocker has ended up with someone getting rear ended or just getting slammed into the wall. My main issue with banks is some chassis are just not suitable for competitive tandem battles on these type of platforms. This IMO is leading to the death of low HP short wheelbase cars being competitive in the series overall. Yes I know guys like Suell, John R, Yoshioka, and Taka can do it... but look what they had to do with their power plants just to have enough torque and speed to half a$$ link irwindale in qualifying.

For road courses, most of the built in "seating areas" are placed on the slow parts of the race track so that people can see the cars go around. I don't think drift event organizers look at the track and figure out where's a good spot to drift. I think they first ask where do the people sit, then they go from there. .

I agree %100, I kinda think FD doesn't want to pay the extra money and time to get some more grandstands in and or a tunnel lol. I think road course configuration should be something crucial on the minds of organizer staff from 2010 on if they want too keep on spending money on these expensive venues. These are some of the reasons I haven't been too Sonoma since 04 lol.

Parking lot events are a hit and miss. I'm still waiting for the event that has the budget to host one INSIDE a "stadium". Monster truck people can do it...motocross people can do it, one day - drifting people can do it.

Location location location, I think D1 made a great find with smooth parking lots of LVMS and English Town. My main thing at this point is K rails, I might be alone when I say this but I'm sick and tired of watching cars get ripped too shreds hitting these things. It really puts a lag on events at times. I think K rails should be a last ditch effort to protect the spectators only. And organizers should really take some time to invest in something that can protect the integrity of the machines as well.

I think stadium drifting would be cool but will the fans be as close enough to the action. And can a company like FD be able to sell out a big stadium like home depot center or the rose bowl. X games is still having trouble with that. I hate seeing empty seats in the crowd, I think that is a bigger waste of money then drifting around a unused chicane at Sonoma and Road Atlanta.

I may come off as a purist, and I might be one. But I want to see the sport involve into more of a action sport. In which the underdog can still win and the spectators would be up close and personal and entertained until the very last second. And maybe most of all give more TV time for the sponsors. I got some realistic ideas to make that happen but I don't think any company in the US anyway would be ready or even willing to take the risk in the sport's infancy. It would mean the whole way the sport is organized, judged, and sold would have to be overhauled.

Tell me this anyone, with the way the sport is right now...do you think it could be broadcasted live? If it was would anyone have the patience to watch it from start to finish?

[Justin Banner]

Live, in it's current form, no. They could do same day coverage just like NHRA events are done.

[B.Young]

When there was live video feed from the internet, we would have a BBQ, racing games, and hang out with old and new friends who want to see drifting action. We all got into the battles and had a great time.
IMO indoor stadium events have been done in Europe and China so its equally possible here. With a well known event organizer I'm sure they can pull it of with minimal problems. One thing is to get the word out in a large scale so more people will show up.
I have been watching D1 Street Legal and it has some great tandem battles.
Does anyone know what the rules are for D1SL?

[Bebop]

When there was live video feed from the internet, we would have a BBQ, racing games, and hang out with old and new friends who want to see drifting action. We all got into the battles and had a great time.

Since when did FD have a live feed with tandem.... I have only seen some grainy live feed for qualifying. What ever station the show is on has all right to the tandem footage as far as I could remember.

IMO indoor stadium events have been done in Europe and China so its equally possible here. With a well known event organizer I'm sure they can pull it of with minimal problems. One thing is to get the word out in a large scale so more people will show up.

Europe had a few and China had some that never went so well. Really crazy stupid crashes. People not getting paid. Chinese drivers fighting lol, so on and so on lmao. And plus most of the crowd is on one side of the stadium and that side isn't even filled.

I have been watching D1 Street Legal and it has some great tandem battles.
Does anyone know what the rules are for D1SL?

Tandem rules or scrutiny. Chassis wise everything is the same but you have to use the original motor or a motor of the same cylinder and make. Fuel system has to be in stock location (no fuel cells). Qualifying for 32 consists of essentially a long practice session with the judges picking drivers who stand out. I personally like it, but not for the USA... I think drivers don't have enough respect for the judges to respect there decisions without a actual score. Tandem is basic D1gp rules, I wouldn't call it pass to win but more of running a tight defensive line different from your qualifying run. If you have room to pass go for it. No "washing out" (running wide line). I use to hate but lately I think it makes comp more fun and gives drivers more of a strategy. I really like the idea of separating qualifying to tandem.

[Justin Banner]

Why doesn't FD encourage passing while in a drift? Safety?

[Slapshotnerd]

Why doesn't FD encourage passing while in a drift? Safety?

Because some drivers got over-aggressive trying to pass instead of running the exciting / drifting line. Rather than try and set passing stipulations, it was easier just to ban it across the board. That's been my interpretation.

I think certain tracks are better for passing than others. In Irwindale, I think it's more exciting to have the drivers run the higher line on the inner and outer bank, which means that there's a possible "passing" line available on the low line which is faster to get around... but I don't think it should be ok to pass there.

However, in Sonoma, I think you should be able to pass at the first inside clip (the one at the edge of the teardrop) or during the transition in front of the crowd after that clip. But make all drivers drive the outside line after initiation (IE not Rhys Millen '05).

[Piner]

Blaze has obviously not been to FD atlanta, track setup is awesome btw.

[Bebop]

Blaze has obviously not been to FD atlanta, track setup is awesome btw.

Sorry but i have to disagree, with all track available why why after the chicane do they need to back track around going up hill.

lol @ rhys millen 05.. I do think they got a but carried away with that call though.

[conspire]

Sorry but i have to disagree, with all track available why why after the chicane do they need to back track around going up hill.

because you can't see anything past the bridge. so how can the judges accurately judge and as a spectator, who wants to watch only part of a drifting match?

[Slapshotnerd]

Sorry but i have to disagree, with all track available why why after the chicane do they need to back track around going up hill.

I agree with Piner. The Atlanta track is amazing. The elevation change really doesn't show well on TV, and once you've seen some runs at the track in person, you'll change your opinion. That track is the epitome of the perfect fan-oriented drift track

[Cavi Mike]

Why doesn't FD encourage passing while in a drift? Safety?

I don't think passing is encouraged in any sanction. I believe the only time it's even acceptable is if someone goes WAY off line or spins out. I don't want to see passing anyways, it's not a race. I want to see the chase driver use his skill to perfectly follow the line of the lead car, no matter how bad or slow it is.

[Bebop]

I agree with Piner. The Atlanta track is amazing. The elevation change really doesn't show well on TV, and once you've seen some runs at the track in person, you'll change your opinion. That track is the epitome of the perfect fan-oriented drift track

You gotta remember your talking to a guy that's been to D1 @ Fuji Circuit. When D1 goes to these big F1 style tracks they always try to use the fastest driftable part of the course. They make drivers udjust to the excisting course rather then making the course adjust to drifting. I think FD more focuses on the spectator arrangement and what can be more technical. At the end of the day I think I think the technical side must be changed in order to speed up competition a little more and give more of a even playing field to some cars. LOL @ some of you guys are wondering why big V8s are taking over the series lol. Its real easy to get around these technical courses when you got torque at like 4k lol.

I don't think passing is encouraged in any sanction. I believe the only time it's even acceptable is if someone goes WAY off line or spins out. I don't want to see passing anyways, it's not a race. I want to see the chase driver use his skill to perfectly follow the line of the lead car, no matter how bad or slow it is.

Yup, passing is not encouraged in any sanctioning body for drifting. D1 does not want you to go for the pass right off the bat. But in drivers meetings they do want you to adjust your like from qualifying. Running a more tight and defensive line for the lead driver, and of course the chase driver is trying to mimic but they also suggest to take advantage of the other drivers mistake and "drive your heart out". If a driver gets passed in D1, they probably weren't following the direction in the drivers meeting.

All the changes I want too see in US drifting are in favor of making the sport more fair, exciting, and most of all more marketable. The way its going now in a few years its going to be a proverbial one make series lol. Tanner Foust will win the series in 2010!

[AlexPfeiffer]

God another topic about passing. I was the one who pushed to not allow passing in FD. If you dont understand why, then just talk to me.