Professional drifting series, Formula D, is trying to quickly win over fans and competitors in order to become one of the top forms of motorsport in the United States. As folks have learned in the markets this past year, though, rapid growth does not come without some giant bumps in the road. It looks like Formula D has now slid into a wall with a few of its teams. Confusion surrounding the series rule book has come to a head in discussions at Drifting.com. The rules state that any change to a vehicle's OEM suspension design must be approved by Formula D. Of course, a visual inspection of every car lined up for a run at a Formula D event proves that no one is utilizing 100% OEM suspension components. Aftermarket coilovers, adjustable control arms and urethane bushings are all-too-,common modifications seen throughout the pits. Therefore, there must be a list available to competitors outlining the approved components for all competing vehicles. No such list is available, however. That means teams have no method of verifying that other competitors are following the rules, other than the fact an entry passed Formula D's own tech inspection. Current discussion is making a case for the use of vehicle technical sheets as found in series such as SCCA Speed World Challenge to list all allowable modifications for approved competition vehicles.
One particular team lies behind the call for rule revisions, while other concerned competitors back up their request for clarification. The vocal team is the group behind the Super Autobacs Nissan Skyline, which was recently deemed ineligible for competition by Formula D. The series organizers claim the Skyline features illegal front suspension modifications by using the OEM parts off a Nissan Laurel. However, the RWD Scion tC campaigning in the series is eligible despite also using suspension parts from another Toyota vehicle that shares the same chassis. The rules become particularly unclear when other vehicles are allowed to run with obviously altered suspension setups. 350Zs have altered the mounting points of their rear axles and Chevrolet Corvettes have converted from leaf springs to coilovers. Hopefully, Formula D can learn from this tussle and develop a fair and documented method of approving vehicle,s rather than leaving everyone in the dark. Thanks for the tip MrCoolGuy!
[Source: Drifting.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
catgirlshyla @ Jul 4th 2008 5:02PM
"However, the RWD Scion tC campaigning in the series is eligible despite also using suspension parts from another Toyota vehicle that shares the same chassis."
Which should've been an automatic disqualification. In fact, the tC also violates the Roadgoing qualification as well. Since virtually all tC's are FWD, the RWD variant should've been canned untill Toyota produces either a production RWD tC or as a fair compromise, a TRD-official kit of sorts to allow people to convert tC's to RWD specs.
Allan @ Jul 4th 2008 11:01PM
"Since all tC's are FWD"
I fixed that for you.
Kiiks @ Jul 5th 2008 8:38AM
Well, except for the Formula D Tc.
Brent @ Jul 4th 2008 5:06PM
Who they really need rules? Seriously.
Brent @ Jul 4th 2008 5:06PM
*Do*
I fail. :)
Random Task @ Jul 4th 2008 5:08PM
Giant waste of time and money, FTW YO!
Patrick @ Jul 4th 2008 5:21PM
wow a chick talkin about cars like that is such a turn on
stefan @ Jul 4th 2008 5:44PM
Stupid rules, a TC can be changed from FWD to RWD. But the R34 can't use the front suspension of a C35. They both use the same plaform and even engine, just like the V35 and Z33.
Tiberius1701 @ Jul 4th 2008 6:57PM
I still cannot believe this is considered a serious motorsport.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 4th 2008 8:20PM
It's not the regular kind of motorsport, that's for sure. But it does seem to be a sport and it involves cars, so I guess the name fits.
Is dB drag racing then a motorsport too?
What would the strangest motorsport be?
drifting?
dB drag racing?
competitions to stuff most people in a beetle/mini/etc.?
Kiiks @ Jul 4th 2008 7:37PM
The organizers must be kidding themselves. There is money in drifting, but it's not like manufacturers are really going to start designing their cars to be OEM Drift cars. (And I hope not, that would be bad news!) I think the competitors should be given a wide range of freedoms when it comes to suspension modifications.
OR like many other governing bodies, run in two classes - one for the chimera Tc's and FrankenSkylines and another class for stock mustangs and S13's with bald tires and coilovers.
In any event, who cares, when is the next ALMS race?
Derek @ Jul 4th 2008 8:54PM
Next weekend and sorry, no drift event. I know you guys are heart broken.
Kiiks @ Jul 5th 2008 8:48AM
Although I wouldn't mind seeing a C6.R getting sideways down the Rainey curve. (Like you could in GT4, but like you wouldn't in real life.) Anybody else going to Laguna Seca this October for the season finisher?
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 4th 2008 8:31PM
Making specs for each model is a great idea. Althought this can be a lot of work, especially if you allow older cars in (as Formula D does). Just look at the how many cars are covered by the SCCA's full rule book (used for the run-offs).
You can change a Vette from leafs to coils without even changing the suspension geometry and I think without even replacing the shocks. It's roughly equivalent to changing the springs (and spring rates) on a car. I have to imagine other competitors are allowed to change spring rates on their cars, aren't they?
Not that I'd run a Vette in this anyway, I think I'd rather run a Mustang, G8 or Viper (all of which are somewhat common) instead.
tankd0g @ Jul 4th 2008 11:29PM
FormulaD car of tomorrow, here we come. Might as well sign everything over to Nascar now.
Merritt Johnson @ Jul 5th 2008 11:40PM
Changing the springs on a car breaks this Formula D rule:
8.3.3 Modified or aftermarket suspension parts are only allowed if pre-approved by Formula Drift.
What some people are upset over is that fact that a list of these pre-approved parts is not available. If someone stuffs a car in a wall and does a quick repair without exact copy spares or by using other, so called, approved parts, they should be penalized. However, competitors have no backup data to file a formal protest since there is no paperwork indicating what parts are in fact pre-approved.
naiku @ Jul 4th 2008 9:03PM
Eh, I never cared much for Formula D drifting. The people the do the D1GP are way more entertaining and talented. Once they started showing Formula D on that gaming television station, it was bound to fail.
Soul Shinobi @ Jul 4th 2008 10:32PM
Plus one on that, mate.
Vetteracer @ Jul 4th 2008 11:04PM
Professional drifting series - Hahahaha :-)
Yea meet me at the tacobell parking lot and we'll DRIFT.
Do I need a roll Bar ?
No as long as you have big fart pipes.
Will I need to know how to speed shift ?
No, you never get out of first gear
How about Nomex suit ?
Shorts and Tee short is all you need and some cool sunglasses
Will the boost come on ?
Yea on the way home.
Do I have to learn all he rules ?
No be like TOY ota, cheat like hell tell your caught and then blame the Americans for WW II.
What can I win ?
Go to the drive-up window and you'll get a free taco with rice.
Will I need a put crew ?
Sure you know it takes 3 riceballs to put air in a tire.
Any special setup needed ?
Yes, -30 degree camber with +2 caster, for just the left front. Pack lots of dry ice in engine bay to keep the 4 banger together.
Will this be shown on T.V
Yes in mexico, canada and japan for they consider this high speed drifting racing and like to see American parking lots get the crap beat out of it.
gozar @ Jul 4th 2008 11:55PM
"to become one of the top forms of motorsport in the United States."
A sport is a contest with solidly quantifiable standards for winning.
Golf: The lowest score wins.
Hockey: Highest score wins.
WRC Rally: Shortest time wins.
Subjective contests where judges award style points are not really sports.
Examples:
Figure Skating
Dancing With the Stars
Drifting.