Drifters upset with Formula D rule book

[RJF]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/04/drifters-upset-with-formula-d-rule-book/

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.

[slothonaleash]

Why did they even turn drifting into a competition?

[gotta240]

sweet. Show up with a bone stock 240 and win by default...

[Jordn]

I don't know much of the politics behind FD but it must be pretty good for them to have factory-backed cars in the championship, maybe worth bending the rules to make sure those cars get to drive.

[1five10]

That's the problem. Some feel the rules are being bent for some, but not others. Will see how it plays out. Vegas is next weekend.

[svensko]

Does this mean I get to put corny "crew" stickers on my stock S14 now? :ugh:

[Felipe]

does it count if i paint some parts red?

lmao...

[240XTC]

Really funny. Seems as if politics is definitely an issue. Plain and simple, "they" are scared of they Autobacs Skyline and will nit pick on anything in order to make sure it doesnt become a threat to them. Hopefully in the future, guidelines will be set, the skyline will meet "the standards" to qualify and come out and kick ass.

[Z33dori]

yea this reset dispute is pretty bullshit.

being that alot of these cars have altered suspension.

i mean really.

[thefro526]

I say that's bullsh*t... Let be serious, modified suspension because they used components from a Nissan Laurel? It's pretty much the same damn car, we all know how nissan likes to share components from chassis to chassis. How bout Rhys Millen's GTO and solstice? they were as close to race cars as anyone can get with out being full on tube frame race cars. Then there's the Tanaka (?) corvette, I've never, ever, seen a front suspension like that before. IMO Formula D sucks, Let people run what ever they want as long as it's not tube framed and other crazy stuff.

[norbac]

theres a rule book? lol, everything is so modified anyways

[626 FC3S]

EVERY CAR MADE FOR DRIFTING AND BEEN MODIFIED FROM OEM!!!!!

They have got to be kidding

"to become one of the top forms of motorsport in the United States."

Really???

[ericcastro]

I always have talked shit about the stupidity and favortism of Formula D and praised D1.

this just proves it.

Formula D, the new NOPI

fucking idiots


(you like how i am misspelling the second word after stupidity ;)

[svensko]

Isn't there a drifter that uses a stock S14?

[Matej]

Hahaha.


Hahahahahaha.


The only rules should be:
1. No cars without aero.
2. No cars with wheel gap and/or sunken wheels.
3. No cars with aero sitting more than 3" off the ground.

[luftrofl]

What? Formula D, stupid?

NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111111oneoneone

[spool_sample]

LMFAO. Who the fuck cares about suspension being altered, it's fucking judged DRIFTING, not timed wheel-to-wheel competition.

The fact that there are even any rules to begin with beyond safety standards is hilarious in its own right.

[alexander500]

I read all 18 pages of that shit.

It seems that Formula D did not or has not been able to produce any

documentation on which teams/car/drivers have been pre-aproved to

modify the suspenion and to what extent, so you must assume they are

going off of their memory. What if SA petitioned for and recieved the

appoval to modify their vehicle and Formula D just forgot? If Formula D has

not been documenting they petitions for modification they don't have a

leg to stand on.

[KwKouki]

yet the tC is running rampant in RWD form.

[IIIXziuR]

Takatori & SA Drift FOR LIFE, NO MATTER WHAT!
Those are the nicest/coolest guys ever.

All this controversy with the R34 suspension is so asinine!
All these cars are modified, it's not like SA car has some kind of auto pilot button installed on the car. Just drift!

[turns101]

I always have talked shit about the stupidity and favortism of Formula D and praised D1.

this just proves it.

Formula D, the new NOPI

fucking idiots


(you like how i am misspelling the second word after stupidity ;)

Eric, D1 is just as bad if not worse...

FD has been making serious efforts to do the right thing for more of the privateers.

I;m not saying they are perfect or better than anyones else though. As you can see, there are still politics in all the "pro" drift series..

[norbac]

FD seemed like a great alternative to D1 for the states, now its time for something better, ZILVIA DRIFT CHAMPION LEAGUE, support the ZDCL yall!!

[JeremyR]

what a joke, epic fail

[revat619]

Formula D is a joke. It ALWAYS has been.

[xamraci]

"The vocal team is the group behind the Super Autobacs Nissan (http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=201380#) 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."

Thats all I needed to read...and then the thoughts on the TC only strike further at this arguement...Watching a tech inspector walk thru a car and KNOWING that the altered factory dynamics of certain vehicles are being permitted kinda sent a bad feeling thru me when i was at FD in Atlanta this year:(

Some specifics would stiffen the competition in my opinion and make things a bit clearer atleast...

Another thing...the Saturn Skye...its like a Cage with some plastic panels...the rear suspension setup on that car doesnt seem to share the same characteristics of the stock vehicle...

[Shawn shawn]

I guess Autobacs didn't shove enough $$$$ in FD's face.

[frosti108]

wow. honestly the rwd scion didnt raise any reg flags though>? lol you dont even have to do any reading to know there is loads of BS going on


who the hell in formula D has anything stock in their suspension anyway. thats fuqin stupid

[240XTC]

LMFAO. Who the fuck cares about suspension being altered, it's fucking judged DRIFTING, not timed wheel-to-wheel competition.

The fact that there are even any rules to begin with beyond safety standards is hilarious in its own right.

Yeah. True to that man! They're forgetting what the drift is about. What ever gets you to that perfect speed, style, and finesse. Judges will make the best call upon who deserves to win.



FD seemed like a great alternative to D1 for the states, now its time for something better, ZILVIA DRIFT CHAMPION LEAGUE, support the ZDCL yall!!

Hell yeah man!!!... then ZDCL vs. FD .... Im down for that!:hug:

[luftrofl]

Wait... doesn't the Corvette run coilovers? That's a change from OEM :)

[DMaxUSA]

I guess Autobacs didn't shove enough $$$$ in FD's face.

Thats what alot of the drivers/companies/teams in Japan are thinking.....Another big issue is that a lot of Japanese drivers are coming the U.S. to drift, but they aren't getting the points they deserve, most likely to make it "fair" for the American drivers. Maybe Formula D is afraid of a swarm of Japanese drivers taking over the series (and possibly upsetting all the domestic companies, i.e. Mopar, Ford, etc)

[revat619]

Thats what alot of the drivers/companies/teams in Japan are thinking.....Another big issue is that a lot of Japanese drivers are coming the U.S. to drift, but they aren't getting the points they deserve, most likely to make it "fair" for the American drivers. Maybe Formula D is afraid of a swarm of Japanese drivers taking over the series (and possibly upsetting all the domestic companies, i.e. Mopar, Ford, etc)

:werd:

This is yet another reason why Formula D fails so hard. I hated it when they first started this shit pile of a series years ago and i hate it even more today. Shitty looking cars, shitty ride heights, shitty rules, Mopar...legit drift series?.....

Get serious. :rolleyes:

[I10cruiser]

and thats why drifting wont become as big as american and european sports :/

[KasperSlide]

drifting as a competition is fine, rules and guidlines understandable. a grass route hobby has turned into a $$$ making machine. u have mopar, ford racing, sears(as shown below), all wanting a part of it. theres prob going to be some BS with the rule book b/c FD THINKS THAT EVERYONE COMES TO SEE THE BIG NAMES. money drives the industry but it makes it grow. all you see and hear about are the big names anyways. the jap guys that couldnt make it in D1 japan are try'n there luck out here. and of course the already established Japanese guys will proly always have a place in the top 32/16 places.

i took this pic at road atl march of 06 i think
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/KasperX/ATLFD033.jpg
= = = = $$$$$$

P.S it will proly get worse b4 it gets better

[ericcastro]

^it will definatly get worse before it gets better. this new "suspension" rule is just so disapointing. In a series thats already plagued with rumors and opinions of Bias and favortism judgeing. A rule thats basically totally up to the Formula D staff to decide is that much more lame.

it must be so disheartening to any team other than the big american company sponsored vehicles. your at the whim of somebody who is gonna use the rule book to shape the series like a reality show producer.

Just hope before it gets better, the "worse" doesnt bury the sport. I dont know to many people at the track that actually go and watch formula D anymore. Hell, I can get media passes and sit with my Nikon on the K rail and be 20 feet from the car, and I still don't go anymore.

[SimpleSexy180]

sigh, WE NEED an MSC over here.

D1 AND FD BORE the fuck out of me.

http://www.motorsportscom.info/drift/2008/round-04/img/ph_2008_rd04_no054b.jpg

but keep fd and d1 alive also.. so an msc can flourish with coolness.

[Full-Lock]

formula d is a joke
nascar of drifting..

do i really want to see a scion tc drifting? no

just make the cars look cool so they can make good pictures. thats all i care about

[rps13drift]

sigh, WE NEED an MSC over here.

D1 AND FD BORE the fuck out of me.

http://www.motorsportscom.info/drift/2008/round-04/img/ph_2008_rd04_no054b.jpg

but keep fd and d1 alive also.. so an msc can flourish with coolness.


Fuck yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! + rep
MSC is fucking the best drifting to watch hands down! And its nice to know that they are just enthusiest that go absolutely balls out! And their rides are either mildly modified or just perfect with mods! No home depot and circuit city banners or tire flys or anything gay at all!
I just wish that east coast drift alliance would pull out of formula d and compete in something else because they are the shit and the only reason i go to terrible events.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MTAJYAYg-PI

[Shawn shawn]

NOPI could have been our MSC... but they are NOPI and put their touch on it instead of letting people that drift and love drifting run it.

[burnsauto]

flameflameflameangerangerangerhatehatehate.


...i just wanted to fit in. HAHA.

[Antihero983]

Fuck FD.

I've always said that from day 1. Typical American bullshit, taking something cool and commercializing and ruining the fuck out of it.

[StaticX27]

I just have a huge problem supporting a racing circuit where you actually get penalized for passing the car in front of you... I mean seriously... Name me any other racing circuit where you get penalized for being faster than the other guy....

At least at D1 you were expected to have a huge chunk of modifications to your car. It was also a little more friendly to independent racers. You could still race and be nobody. Yes it was bias, but consider the style of racing you're doing is all going to be based on judging. There are no quantitative results from drifting that you can write down on a score sheet. Its a showy style. Show by definition is going to incur bias. Hell, when I was competing marching band in high school, our school got marked down because we didn't tape our drum sticks hot pink...

D1 was based on clipping points, tire smoke, entry and exit speed, degree of rotation and control. Out of all that, clipping points and speed are the only things on there that are quantitative, and even then, you have some punk ass volunteer, who sits there picking his ass the whole time, responsible for throwing up a flag if the driver actually touches the flag. Not to mention the guy in charge of those punk ass volunteers (head of the track crew) is horrendously bias towards certain drivers and brings his politics into play at every chance he gets. Couple drivers ended up getting screwed over politics like that this past year. And yes, I was one of those volunteers, I know first hand how shady and underhanded that bastard is.

[thefro526]

I miss old school FD... You guys remeber Like 04 and 05 when it was pretty much S13s,S14s, and AE86's running the series with the occasional Z33 or GTO. Back then the drivers tore it up because they loved to drift. Now they're doing it for the money. The guys who do run in FD because they love to drift are the ones who are always getting shafted by the big names.

I started to hate FD when in 06 i think it was when Taka Aono in his AE86 ran with Samuel hubinette in his viper and they went to 4 one more times before Taka's car over heated hardcore so they let Sam move on. My argument was that a 160hp corolla hung with a 600hp viper that's 20 years newer. After that event my taste for FD has gone down hill.

[Taniguchi_Is_#1]

lol. formula d.


that pretty much sums up my thoughts.

[onehundredoctane]

when shit gets to the US we try to make it one step better. fucking rules. what is this? Sprint Cup? Nascar?

Drift and let that be the end of it, fuck the rules.

/thread

[Matej]

To me drifting was never about the drifting itself, I could care less who won and who lost.
There could be some super slow broke down FC that blew up halfway down the course and lost, but all I saw was aero touching ground, big wheels tucking, dirt drop and bumper flying off, and I thought it was the most amazing thing ever.
I only enjoy looking at pictures of pretty cars drifting.
To me drifting used to equal amazing looking cars being driven.
Now there are no pretty cars in professional drifting, so I can care less about it. I still don't see the point of building up drift cars as if they are race cars, people throw 50K$ into a car that could do the same thing with 5K$ in it, and they still manage to make it look ugly, because nowadays "real" drift cars are all about "functionality" and "performance."
Too many rules ruin everything.
Drift for fun, drift your rusted Corolla with 15x10's, your beat up S13 with broken aero, as long as you're having fun that's what real drifting is.

[JayDee M Rolly]

formula d is the anti-poon

[KwKouki]

ive brought it up once, ill bring it up again

The bullshit I watched when rhys millen pitched a hissy fit and demanded he get a rerun because a water cooler spilled over and ran onto the track causing him to "spin"

Watching people down a run completely grip the 1st, 2nd corners to "pull away or catch up" so they could win simply because they stayed on their ass or pulled away from them

people diving into with little or no angle just to pass the driver up front for a guaranteed win

FD is complete garbage, there is nothing representing the sport of drifting anymore in my opinion. the biggest team wioth the biggest written check will flourish and leave the grassroot/privateers nowhere to go. Im not even gonna get started on NOPI.

[azndoc]

Hence why ASB rocks.

Drifting at its most basic foundation.

Having fun with friends while driving your car.

Done and done.

Competition is cool and all, but seems like there's too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

[KwKouki]

Hence why ASB rocks.

Drifting at its most basic foundation.

Having fun with friends while driving your car.

Done and done.

Competition is cool and all, but seems like there's too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

I would attend ASB before any level of judged drifting

[Matej]

By the way what happened to Pawlak's car, the last remaining Formula D car I liked?

How did it go from cream color with awesome wheels and fitment...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Justone1/driftoX7/SEMA%2007/DSC03820.jpg

...to typical Formula D look, with slightly better than average height and fitment?
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Justone1/IMG_8024.jpg

[KwKouki]

too plain for FD I guess

[deadpirate]

its called sponsor money.

you have to be functional for competition if you want those dollars to keep rolling in. JTP's car still isnt bad at all. his car rocks, it just needs o stop blowing up all the time


all this talk about how formula D sucks is retarded. Formula D tries as hard as they can to get away from the D1"scripted" drifting, and nopi's joke of a series

in our teams dealing with Formula D it has all been professional for many months, up until now. just recently they started ignoring our teams request for approval on our current suspension setup. stating that it wasent pre-approved before the season started and therefore needs to go back to our OEM configuration of 2 bolt suspension instead of our current nissan laurel 3 bolt suspension we hold no grudge against formula D. and seeing as it is the only real USA drifting series we will stand behind them even as this issue continues

[azndoc]

Dude Matej JTP's car still looks sick.

Maybe it's the blue.

I like the graphics too.

Still very nice.

[lflkajfj12123]

wasn't it green before too?

looked sick when (if) it was green

[azndoc]

It was green before.

Sure the champagn looked the best, but whatever.

Blue is so 2008.

[driftnslide]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/04/drifters-upset-with-formula-d-rule-book/

Chevrolet Corvettes have converted from leaf springs to coilovers. .

which corvettes are running with leaf springs. they havent done that for a really really really long time. how come nobody mentioned the suspention done to the mustangs going from leafs to coilovers?

[deadpirate]

the corvette that competes in formula D cam from the factory with leaf springs, it now has coilovers

[lflkajfj12123]

wasn't this his car

so sick

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2622733992_e899b2ab7d_o.jpg

[ericcastro]

You know who could build you a car like no other,

Harry Hogge
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/castro_castro/harryhogge1.jpg

who ever gets him on thier team is gonna win!

[ericcastro]

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/castro_castro/HTM%20DEC%202008%20DRFT/626HTM01792.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/castro_castro/HTM%20DEC%202008%20DRFT/626HTM01792.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/castro_castro/HTM%20DEC%202008%20DRFT/626HTM01765.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/castro_castro/HTM%20DEC%202008%20DRFT/626HTM01769.jpg

[bkg775]

Because I have never been to a FD event due to the fact that I'm n Va I go to alot of usdrift and practice day events in the area but I still wanna put my 2 cents in((not that anyone will read it)
Honestly even thought it's a b.s. rule unless someone else can make a "real" show to display drifitng in the u.s. nothings gonna happen. Nopi is a train wreck and FD is right behind it with no brakes.
I don't care how they fix it but something has to budge.

[ghambino]

More money=more problems. When you start to get big time sponsors like FD is getting right now things get a little complicated. I've never attended a FD event but overall I think its a decent organization. You have to remember its a business so naturally some of the grassroots attractions are going to be stripped away. The issue with the rule book sounds silly but I'm sure they'll work it out.

[GaRcia240]

thats fucked up

[ilia]

FDs pretty lame, NOPIs pretty lame. We need more MSC in our lives!!

We need less cars like THIS:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/2416068207_a79dca9dd7.jpg

^THIS PILE OF AIDS DOES NOT LOOK COOL.


http://gaku2.fc2web.com/photo/08_msc/images/mscrd01_110.jpg

^And more cars like THIS.

Drift cars have NO BUSINESS being practical, fast, or functional. That's for racecar drivers. This is drifting.

[kamikazekid]

Its like the U.S. drifting scene is loosing its roots from real japanese drifting its turning into some big corporate add campagne. people that are drifting now are in it for money rhys millen, sam hubinette? what the fuck? Sell Out! What happened to are originators! ? Ross Petty good example- he gave so much to U.S. drifting and he's not around because he doesnt have some big american sponsor? fuck'n bullshit! id rather drift for fun again than be sponsored by Wal-Mart or some shit. Fuck FD! D-1 SHOULD BE RUNNING IT! This is the exact opposite of what i wanted drifting to be in the U.S.

[norbac]

hey, theres nothing wrong with FD, i like it better than FCs, haha, okay, that was bad, but i heard D1 is the same, dramas and politics

[renegade_ewok]

Thats what alot of the drivers/companies/teams in Japan are thinking.....Another big issue is that a lot of Japanese drivers are coming the U.S. to drift, but they aren't getting the points they deserve, most likely to make it "fair" for the American drivers. Maybe Formula D is afraid of a swarm of Japanese drivers taking over the series (and possibly upsetting all the domestic companies, i.e. Mopar, Ford, etc)
If they come over here and take over its because they are better drifters. Then maybe Mopar and Ford need better drivers...

I know what your saying because when factory backed teams are in a competition there is a lot of money in those vehicles and it draws crowds... Oh well, if they lose they lose because they can't drive as well.

[deadpirate]

Its like the U.S. drifting scene is loosing its roots from real japanese drifting its turning into some big corporate add campagne. people that are drifting now are in it for money rhys millen, sam hubinette? what the fuck? Sell Out! What happened to are originators! ? Ross Petty good example- he gave so much to U.S. drifting and he's not around because he doesnt have some big american sponsor? fuck'n bullshit! id rather drift for fun again than be sponsored by Wal-Mart or some shit. Fuck FD! D-1 SHOULD BE RUNNING IT! This is the exact opposite of what i wanted drifting to be in the U.S.

ross petty competes in formula D, so saying he isnt around is wrong



michihiro takatori, yoshioka, ryuji miki, haraguchi, all d1 drivers, all left d1 and can never go back. why? because d1 is fake, its scripted. keiichi is akin to a mob boss, if a driver pisses him off, it will take bribes or money, car parts, and women to get back on his good side. notice how kazama, orido are no longer in d1 anymore?? kazama no longer has sponsors? HOW THE FUCK DOES A 3 TIME CHAMPION not have sponsors??

[1five10]

Its like the U.S. drifting scene is loosing its roots from real japanese drifting its turning into some big corporate add campagne. people that are drifting now are in it for money rhys millen, sam hubinette? what the fuck? Sell Out! What happened to are originators! ? Ross Petty good example- he gave so much to U.S. drifting and he's not around because he doesnt have some big american sponsor? fuck'n bullshit! id rather drift for fun again than be sponsored by Wal-Mart or some shit. Fuck FD! D-1 SHOULD BE RUNNING IT! This is the exact opposite of what i wanted drifting to be in the U.S.
Unless some wealthy person comes in and throws huge sums of money into drifting, FORUMULA D will drift right into corporate America and into our living rooms. Keep in mind, the FORMULA D guys are in this to make money. They are business men, too, and a lot of guys (drivers and teams) are making money drifting.

Do you think when they were creating FORMULA D, they were thinking about finding ways to maintain the Japanese roots of drifting? HELL NO!!!

JIM: Do you want to maintain the Japanese roots of drifting and minimize profits?

Ryan: F**k nah, dude. Let's do whatever it takes to make lots of $$$$$. The Japanese roots won't get us paid, will it?

JIM: You're right. Let's blow this up..

Personally, I would try to make as much money out of this, too. These guys are lucky to be making money in the world of cars.

[azndoc]

Ross Petty good example- he gave so much to U.S. drifting and he's not around because he doesnt have some big american sponsor? fuck'n bullshit! id rather drift for fun again than be sponsored by Wal-Mart or some shit.

Ross is sponsored by Falcon Tires.

And has been so for quite some time now.

I believe Yoshioka still drives in D1. He drives a new SC coupe now that last time I checked.

True FD isn't perfect, but neither is D1.

When money is involved in any kind of sport it changes people and certainly organizations who run events.

Sponsors want to see results and to make sure that their money is being used to the full effect for their benefit.

Organizations try to satisfy sponsors because without the sponsors the organization would not make money, without making money it is pointless to run a business which is exactly what FD and D1 is.

It's not a grassroot organization. It's a business.

I'm not takings sides here but you all should understand that a business exists to make money. Even if it doesn't make some people happy, it makes other people who pay to see the shows happy. That's all they care about.

Class dismissed.

[KwKouki]

so when will we see formulaD on CBS?

[azndoc]

so when will we see formulaD on CBS?

when FL stops failing.

which means never I guess.

[undesiredshoe]

Its the driver of the car that makes him or her a threat to other competitors. Just look at Takumi and his stock ae86 trueno sprinter running the stock 4ag with just a cone filter and gutted cat, he beat so many modified cars down Mt. Akina that its not even funny anymore.

[azndoc]

Its the driver of the car that makes him or her a threat to other competitors. Just look at Takumi and his stock ae86 trueno sprinter running the stock 4ag with just a cone filter and gutted cat, he beat so many modified cars down Mt. Akina that its not even funny anymore.

That was retarded.

I should neg rep you for that.

But Takumi does rock though.

[s13coupedrfter]

Drift cars have NO BUSINESS being practical, fast, or functional. That's for racecar drivers. This is drifting.[/QUOTE]



So I guess real drift cars have to impractical, slow with no thought to function. I'm just trying to understand your logic.

When I built my car I want it to perform well like most people who go to the track. I don't want a car that's going to handle like shit go slow and break all the time.

[Matej]

michihiro takatori, yoshioka, ryuji miki, haraguchi, all d1 drivers, all left d1 and can never go back. why? because d1 is fake, its scripted. keiichi is akin to a mob boss, if a driver pisses him off, it will take bribes or money, car parts, and women to get back on his good side. notice how kazama, orido are no longer in d1 anymore?? kazama no longer has sponsors? HOW THE FUCK DOES A 3 TIME CHAMPION not have sponsors??
Yeah D1 has been lame for the past couple years as well. 11 out of 12 drivers are running DG coilovers just to get on Tsuchiya's good side.
They should at least use them to lower their cars haha.

So I guess real drift cars have to impractical, slow with no thought to function. I'm just trying to understand your logic.
You're taking what he said said too literally.
That's why I'm getting tired of online forums. Everyone just wants to nitpick everything you say. Then you have to go back and explain yourself and post disclaimers with every post.
Obviously it's nice to have power and suspension among other things, but at the same time building a car to full out race spec just for sliding around is totally unecessary. In drifting you can do the same thing with 300hp that you'd do with 800hp.
Drifting is like the bosozoku of racing. Non-functional wings, unnecessary widebodies, big wheels, but hey, it looks cool sliding around and that's what I like.
Someone will probably chime in to disagree with me and present arguments for how all those things are functional in drifting haha.

[KwKouki]

well it seems logical to have proper suspension setups in a competitive environment. to say that a car is stupid because a car isnt dumped on its balls..............is stupid.

This is why you see so many ugly blown up cars in MSC, they dont give a fuck and they are having fun. They are impressing the people that matter.Thats what I love about drifting, I could care less how many points a judge is awarding me.

[Matej]

Yeah MSC is cool because those guys are in it for fun.
And you don't see anyone idolizing professional drift cars anymore, but people are going crazy over old Sexy Knights pics, Burst, or Hlloween cars.
That should say something about what we like.

[KwKouki]

we need more MSC in our life :)

[azndoc]

I truly believe that Just Drift's Top Drift is west coast's MSC version.

Seriously.

There are some bad ass cars that people bring out and they do it all for the love of it and not so much for the big sponsor money of the sport.

Granted I would be lying if I said that I didn't want at least a major tire sponsorship.

Paying for tires is so costly. Having someone paying for it would be awesome.

But that time isn't coming anytime soon.

[deadpirate]

i like how this thread went from talking about a pro drift teams issues with formula D, to a friggin formula D beauty contest and how formula D cars suck ass...

[Chaws15]

Thats what alot of the drivers/companies/teams in Japan are thinking.....Another big issue is that a lot of Japanese drivers are coming the U.S. to drift, but they aren't getting the points they deserve, most likely to make it "fair" for the American drivers. Maybe Formula D is afraid of a swarm of Japanese drivers taking over the series (and possibly upsetting all the domestic companies, i.e. Mopar, Ford, etc)

This concept really irks me... It's a competition after all. I say let them come and show us how it's really done. Not this bias sh*t about how we're not giving the Americans a chance to stand their ground.

At the end of the day, it's to see who goes sideways the best. It would be fair for the Japs to kick the Americans' ass, and see who's left to fly. As the Zilvian philosophy goes, it's tough love. None of this pampering bs.

Edit: The OEM rule is not ruling against coilovers, per se, but anything other than bolt-on. So heavily modified suspension systems are out of the question. (This is coming from a pretty reliable resource).

[luftrofl]

Drifting is like the bosozoku of racing. Non-functional wings, unnecessary widebodies, big wheels, but hey, it looks cool sliding around and that's what I like.
Someone will probably chime in to disagree with me and present arguments for how all those things are functional in drifting haha.

I'd imagine that there'd be a lot of people (read: anyone in a "serious"[lol] drift competition) who don't see it that way- especially with cash prizes on the line. Proper drifting setups will win the drift competitions and get you $$. Personally, I'd put $$ over better looks.

[DALAZ_68]

why does shit get so much more complicated when things come to the states:ugh:

[bigtom]

Well I have a bit of experience with D1 and FD. They are both around to make money.

I do think its SCCA's place to have a non biased proctor at every event. The rules started as not modifying any OEM mounting points and anything else was ok. The 350Z and the G35 style cars struggled with this as well as a few others.

If SCCA is involved it is racing, but its not really racing.....why SCCA? Cheap event insurance....back to the $ again.

I dont like FD because it is nearly impossible for a privateer teem to enter a legit car. It will simply never make it no matter how well the team does. All other SCCA pro racing you build a car and get the right lisence via seat time and evaluation.

You can only enter FD through DD now I think.

SCCA needs to step up or dump FD. I would call the SCCA and let them know about the things you dont like about how the rules are addressed.

Thats my rant.

btw there isnt much difference between a drift car and a road race car except some suspension setting..

[KwKouki]

so does this mean that s13s with z32 uprights on the rear coilover arent legal to run?

[deadpirate]

scca dosent have anything to do with formula D anymore

[ericcastro]

Your off topic everyone

make the money drivers, please. But the problem is the rules arent as solid as they need to be. They are left to the interpritation of who ever wants to inspect the cars that day.
thats the problem.

like stated before, wheres the line. IMO, changing from leaf springs to coil overs is the same as changing to that laurel suspension rack. And if a fwd scion turned RWD isnt wrong then I dont know what is.

shouldn't it have to be a production car to be out there??

I mean really, for fucks sake, what race lets you just make a car up?? Nothing vagely legit. from drag, nascar, F-1,Indie, WRC, SCCA. theres fricken rules!! you dont just "make some shit up". the only made up shit is drag wheelie busses with jet engines in em used for exabition.


NASCAR has better and more solid rules, and i really hate NASCAR. But they make BIG MONEY, with BIG SPONSORS, with UNBIASED JUDGING. and they can do that because there are no maybes in the rule books.

the rules need to be in Absolutes, not what Jim Bob thinks is a suspention mod on any given day.

thats my rant :) I cant get into something where opinions run so much of what happens.

[ericcastro]

I truly believe that Just Drift's Top Drift is west coast's MSC version.



Agreed. And ASB as well (sorry I missed it)

these events us lucky SoCal guys get really are the heart of drifting.

but the problem is non of us really support formula D anymore. So they are left with the bandwagon/posers as fans. they wear all the gear, talk alot, and pose hard. but without the support of the mid and am level guy holding it up. formula D will colapse on itself.

just like X games

"but the problem is non of us really support X games skateboarding and gravity games anymore. So they are left with the posers as fans. they wear all the DC shoes, talk alot about some rail, and pose hard while filming some bails over some stairs they were never gonna land in the first place. but without the support of the mid and am level guy holding it up. skateboarding will colapse on itself.

If youv'e skateboarded for over 10 years now, you would remember this happening.

[bigtom]

scca dosent have anything to do with formula D anymore

wow thats how much i got away from FD.... i dont even know that....i hope it all works out. people need fun motorsports.

[sidewaysil80]

honestly it was only a matter of time before shit like this happend to it. but lets be real here, formula d is the pinnacle of pro drifting in america...if you want to make drifting a career you shoot for formula d and climb your way through the ranks of us drift/nopi drift etc. regardless of how much the favortism sucks the only thing that can be done is to abide by their nazi like laws.

now all these comments about "formula d cars look like shit" and "fuck function and performance" grow up...not everyone wants some busted ass s chassis thats got tucked tires and sits an inch of the ground. these cars are coming out of the shops with a level of engineering that me and you prob cant fathom. if you like drifting as a lifestyle thats fine build your car your way, but for some people who actually want to make it to the "big leagues" they have to go that route when building their cars. i figured the majority of people on this site would be able to respect the amount of time and engineering that went into all these cars and get past the petty bullshit of sponsor banners, ride height, wheel fitment. they're RACE CARS for a reason. irronically all the people bashing it saying it went away from drifting true roots are the one who are most interested in the looks of the car...maybe you should shift your focus to hin and nopi events.

[DudeYourSoOOJDM]

Honestly...drifting at Grassroots level compared to Pro Level is Completely Different. Like the guy above me said....Many cars in FD may be Purpose built, full race cars. But a lot of them are also cars guys have been building over many years to get to a competitive level. I think you guys are confusing the fact that you got into drifting when the cars had the (2001) D1 look, where they used to look like the guys drove their competition cars to the track. Believe me, thats what I loved about D1 back in the day. I can't knock Formula D because I know how hard it was for those drivers to get where they are now. Many of them went completely rock bottom to get them/their cars to the point where they are. I know how hard it was for me to get my FD license, and I've realized that my car is nowhere near a competitive level for FD.

Basically. If you wanna be a pro drifter, realize that the politics, rules and some of the BS is what you're gonna have to deal with.....it's not different from any other professional level...otherwise keep it Grassroots and quit your bitchin. If someone offered me the chance to drive a car in FD that looked like the typical sponsored/Graphic'ed FD car would I do it???? Shit yeah. Would I sell out for a chance to be competitive in FD???? Shit yeah.

Drifting is supposed to be fun.....do whatever you need to to keep it fun for you....equation solved.

To those of you who have no Idea of what drifting was like before FD even came around.....you have no room to talk. You've been spoiled by how much drifting has blown up where you can drive track events at least once a month.

[norbac]

its crazy how many drifting events are in socal, so lucky

[Crono562]

Well put Mickie. And best believe I fully expect to see you in FD someday, but for now rip Top Battle up!

[issac]

Drifting should always be pure FUN. No limits or regulations. Do whatever the fuck you can afford to do to your car and drive it.

[sldbyuramg]

that is what happens when drifting goes from back roads to a corporate setting. it takes the competitive spirit out of it and turns it into a business.

[sldbyuramg]

honestly it was only a matter of time before shit like this happend to it. but lets be real here, formula d is the pinnacle of pro drifting in america...if you want to make drifting a career you shoot for formula d and climb your way through the ranks of us drift/nopi drift etc. regardless of how much the favortism sucks the only thing that can be done is to abide by their nazi like laws.

now all these comments about "formula d cars look like shit" and "fuck function and performance" grow up...not everyone wants some busted ass s chassis thats got tucked tires and sits an inch of the ground. these cars are coming out of the shops with a level of engineering that me and you prob cant fathom. if you like drifting as a lifestyle thats fine build your car your way, but for some people who actually want to make it to the "big leagues" they have to go that route when building their cars. i figured the majority of people on this site would be able to respect the amount of time and engineering that went into all these cars and get past the petty bullshit of sponsor banners, ride height, wheel fitment. they're RACE CARS for a reason. ironically all the people bashing it saying it went away from drifting true roots are the one who are most interested in the looks of the car...maybe you should shift your focus to hin and nopi events.

great post.
what most people dont understand is there is a huge amount of engineering that goes into these...these pro drifters dont just go buy JICs and some rims, fill up the tank and then go... all those cars are perfectly balanced for the race by professionals who sit on laptops figuring out what is the best settings for the situation.

[luftrofl]

that is what happens when drifting goes from back roads to a corporate setting. it takes the competitive spirit out of it and turns it into a business.

FD is more competitive than a bunch of guys having fun on the backroads.

honestly it was only a matter of time before shit like this happend to it. but lets be real here, formula d is the pinnacle of pro drifting in america...if you want to make drifting a career you shoot for formula d and climb your way through the ranks of us drift/nopi drift etc. regardless of how much the favortism sucks the only thing that can be done is to abide by their nazi like laws.

now all these comments about "formula d cars look like shit" and "fuck function and performance" grow up...not everyone wants some busted ass s chassis thats got tucked tires and sits an inch of the ground. these cars are coming out of the shops with a level of engineering that me and you prob cant fathom. if you like drifting as a lifestyle thats fine build your car your way, but for some people who actually want to make it to the "big leagues" they have to go that route when building their cars. i figured the majority of people on this site would be able to respect the amount of time and engineering that went into all these cars and get past the petty bullshit of sponsor banners, ride height, wheel fitment. they're RACE CARS for a reason. irronically all the people bashing it saying it went away from drifting true roots are the one who are most interested in the looks of the car...maybe you should shift your focus to hin and nopi events.

Agreed. There's definitely been a shift away from the mindset of "function > form" which used to reign supreme. Now there's a lot of function being sacrificed to make cars lower.

I don't care, myself, but it's something I've noticed.

[bejota180sx]

i know im out of place cause ive been out of the drifting scene for a few years but if u love so much drifting roots i dont remember seeing any drift cars tucking tires or anything... most of them were decently low and had some travel in the suspension for driver reasons... these arent show cars these are like stated by sidewaysil80 RACE CARS... race cars arent not made to please the looks theyre made to please FUNCTION... yeah drifting has strayed away from its roots but you cant take D1, FD, or nopi and say that they have lost the roots because they are well COMPETITIONS and its all about proving and winning most of the time even if they do want to have fun... im not into that but at least drifting is moving into a profesional mind set like other motorsports...

[bejota180sx]

great post.
what most people dont understand is there is a huge amount of engineering that goes into these...these pro drifters dont just go buy JICs and some rims, fill up the tank and then go... all those cars are perfectly balanced for the race by professionals who sit on laptops figuring out what is the best settings for the situation.
oh and to add something i wanted to say here... most of the cars are tuned and balanced with the drivers in mind, not every driver likes the feeling or balance of a car tucking tires with no suspension travel and all that... they may not look kick ass but theyre functional to the driver cause to do his best he needs to feel comfortable with the car he/she is driving

[kamikazekid]

ross petty competes in formula D, so saying he isnt around is wrong



michihiro takatori, yoshioka, ryuji miki, haraguchi, all d1 drivers, all left d1 and can never go back. why? because d1 is fake, its scripted. keiichi is akin to a mob boss, if a driver pisses him off, it will take bribes or money, car parts, and women to get back on his good side. notice how kazama, orido are no longer in d1 anymore?? kazama no longer has sponsors? HOW THE FUCK DOES A 3 TIME CHAMPION not have sponsors??
this is true, but i rarely here about him. and yes now that i think about it D1 is the same. its like theres two different sides to drifting now... the buisness side, and the die hards that have fun side, the ones who will always hold it down and always have fun no matter what the circumstance and this is the side that got me hooked in the first place, plus anyone who knows this side knows that is the most spectacular. Its the same for everything though, i just hate to see it happen to drifting in the U.S. i hate the way its portrade. poeple should see the otherside. we need a different series...period.....its like when Disco killed the Funk.

[Matej]

they're RACE CARS for a reason.
Yeah, I still don't see why it's necessary to build full out race cars for drifting. I mean it's cool to see crazy impressive cars and I'm not against it, if the owner wishes to spend the money then more power to them, but it's definitely not necessary for sliding around a track. It just makes it that much funnier when a 50K$ car loses to a Corolla.
Many of the engineered professional drift cars aren't as engineered as you may think they are. Many are just quickly slapped together by corporations, they're the most generic built cars I've seen, they're cars built to draw crowds. No crowds = no professional drifting.

[DohcKA]

formula d is whack said n done

[DohcKA]

formula d is whack...

[deadpirate]

formula d is whack...

nice reasoning. care to elaborate??

[azndoc]

Yeah, I still don't see why it's necessary to build full out race cars for drifting. I mean it's cool to see crazy impressive cars and I'm not against it, if the owner wishes to spend the money then more power to them, but it's definitely not necessary for sliding around a track. It just makes it that much funnier when a 50K$ car loses to a Corolla.
Many of the engineered professional drift cars aren't as engineered as you may think they are. Many are just quickly slapped together by corporations, they're the most generic built cars I've seen, they're cars built to draw crowds. No crowds = no professional drifting.

ummm no.

i don't kniw what pro drift cars you've been looking at, buy majority are not just slapped together for the show of it.

Seriously the cars are built for purpose.

Their built right with the best performance function in mind.

Also if you look at the D1 cars. Their not slammed. Their set up to best use of the suspensions. Slamimg your car is horrible.

Sure at first when you start off its fine but as you get better you learn that slamming the car greatly decreases the full potential of your suspension.

Its annoying to hear people telling me "hey Jack you should lower your car more blah blah blah" they don't drive they just want that slammed look. Sute it looks cool, but what's the point of looking cool when the car drives like shit.

[bejota180sx]

ummm no.

i don't kniw what pro drift cars you've been looking at, buy majority are not just slapped together for the show of it.

Seriously the cars are built for purpose.

Their built right with the best performance function in mind.

Also if you look at the D1 cars. Their not slammed. Their set up to best use of the suspensions. Slamimg your car is horrible.

Sure at first when you start off its fine but as you get better you learn that slamming the car greatly decreases the full potential of your suspension.

Its annoying to hear people telling me "hey Jack you should lower your car more blah blah blah" they don't drive they just want that slammed look. Sute it looks cool, but what's the point of looking cool when the car drives like shit.


+1 for you...

like most pro drivers will tell you, suspension needs travel, lowering it will give u better performance but there has to be a balance and personal feeling into each setup...

[deadpirate]

ummm no.

Its annoying to hear people telling me "hey Jack you should lower your car more blah blah blah" they don't drive they just want that slammed look. Sute it looks cool, but what's the point of looking cool when the car drives like shit.


GO LOWER JACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you should slam your car!!!!!!!!!:mrmeph:

[Matej]

GO LOWER JACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you should slam your car!!!!!!!!!:mrmeph:
+1111110111!!!!!!!! Forget driving, triple park in handicapped spots and take cellphone pixzzz!!!

[azndoc]

Oh yeah I was typing that last night on the iphone.

Crappy grammer (joke)

[DohcKA]

Formula D is a joke. It ALWAYS has been.

ding ding.... ever since i seen the first one in sonoma years ago i said this shit is crap... judging is crap.... i guess it doesnt matter in FD when you wash out

[cfrost]

i like formula d

i think they do a pretty good job.. it's easy to criticize anything...

and hearing / SEEING differences vs. D1 i'm not sure how you guys can think D1 is better :hsdance:

[sldbyuramg]

you see a 50k car lose to a corolla because the are a not as good of a driver. you put a Formula D driver in a 5k corolla and then put another with similar talent into a 50k dollar s15 and see who wins 100% of the time

Yeah, I still don't see why it's necessary to build full out race cars for drifting. I mean it's cool to see crazy impressive cars and I'm not against it, if the owner wishes to spend the money then more power to them, but it's definitely not necessary for sliding around a track. It just makes it that much funnier when a 50K$ car loses to a Corolla.
Many of the engineered professional drift cars aren't as engineered as you may think they are. Many are just quickly slapped together by corporations, they're the most generic built cars I've seen, they're cars built to draw crowds. No crowds = no professional drifting.

[xplicit240]

its not the ride~ its the rider~

just bring what you got and drift it. regardless everyone is gonna mod the shit out of the cars. why put limitations. just go all out.

[hitman]

ummm no.

i don't kniw what pro drift cars you've been looking at, buy majority are not just slapped together for the show of it.

Seriously the cars are built for purpose.

Their built right with the best performance function in mind.

Also if you look at the D1 cars. Their not slammed. Their set up to best use of the suspensions. Slamimg your car is horrible.

Sure at first when you start off its fine but as you get better you learn that slamming the car greatly decreases the full potential of your suspension.

Its annoying to hear people telling me "hey Jack you should lower your car more blah blah blah" they don't drive they just want that slammed look. Sute it looks cool, but what's the point of looking cool when the car drives like shit.


lol, i doubt you could even tell a difference in the way the car felt if you lowered it an inch. comon this isnt rocket science.
its annoying when people think that on an amateur level of driving like we do that the entire feel of the car is going to be destroyed by having it a little lower.
i dont win comps, but i do decent, and my car is slammed.
i would do worse if it was higher because i dont like the way it feels. i like it like u like ur wieners. stiff

[azndoc]

lol, i doubt you could even tell a difference in the way the car felt if you lowered it an inch. comon this isnt rocket science.
its annoying when people think that on an amateur level of driving like we do that the entire feel of the car is going to be destroyed by having it a little lower.
i dont win comps, but i do decent, and my car is slammed.
i would do worse if it was higher because i dont like the way it feels. i like it like u like ur wieners. stiff

Your an exception Matt.

Your special that way. Long hair don't care.

I personally felt my car drove so much better when I raised the front and adjusted the rears. It's not slammed, but it ain't 4x4 either.

I've drove mine slammed and the set up I have now. I like the current set up.

I like that you like my wiener stiff.

[240XTC]

I miss old school FD... You guys remeber Like 04 and 05 when it was pretty much S13s,S14s, and AE86's running the series with the occasional Z33 or GTO. Back then the drivers tore it up because they loved to drift. Now they're doing it for the money. The guys who do run in FD because they love to drift are the ones who are always getting shafted by the big names.

I started to hate FD when in 06 i think it was when Taka Aono in his AE86 ran with Samuel hubinette in his viper and they went to 4 one more times before Taka's car over heated hardcore so they let Sam move on. My argument was that a 160hp corolla hung with a 600hp viper that's 20 years newer. After that event my taste for FD has gone down hill.

No doubt! Taka is the shiznit!!...i remember him back in D1 try outs at Cali speedway changing his own tires. Now he's running with the big dogs....

[DudeYourSoOOJDM]

If you want to be able to drive with the best....you gotta step your game up...simple. Where are the best drivers in the US driving right now? FD and in the Pro/Am levels.

Seriously....have any of you driven a pro-level car? It'll make your S13 with blown used JIC's feel like you're driving a Ford Festiva. Serious thought goes into these cars.

I love how people who don't know what the hell they're talking about speculate on things they think they know because they read an article about it in a magazine or watched Nopi Tunervision last night.

I agree with many of you that a majority of the cars in FD look like utter poo. But a lot of the cars in FD are also amazing....case in point Forsberg's Vert. So much work has gone into that car it's unbelievable. So what if it has NOS all over it?

[cfrost]

you see a 50k car lose to a corolla because the are a not as good of a driver. you put a Formula D driver in a 5k corolla and then put another with similar talent into a 50k dollar s15 and see who wins 100% of the time

mghmmm......yeaaaaahhh.....im gonna have to go ahead and ..ahh... disagree with you there

the guys at the top of this series are seriously talented drivers, regardless of whether or not their cars are set up badass (which they are)

[TUnity2]

FD went to shit when they told XAT they couldn't have a trans am front end on their hatch.

[RMJmotor]

I agree with Mickie way up there.

I say we just make an ASB series.

But I think the simple solution to FD is understanding first off that it is a professional level, everyone knows how pro-sports have their drama. What FD should do is make a clear cut rule book and stick to it no matter if you a huge Corp. Ford, Mopar, etc or the lil guy kickin some butt.

[Hatemy7]

damm that sucks....bullshit rules

[SoSideways]

FD went to shit when they told XAT they couldn't have a trans am front end on their hatch.

Well, FD was just trying to make all the cars that compete look semi decent looking then, can't fault them for that lol

[Brian]

HALT!


ASB is my thing and will never be a series.
fuck no.

:)

[RMJmotor]

Oh BH, I was just tryin to say, it is so ill and much sweet sauce, that if there was a series like it, it would rock, but you are right what can rock more the the OG ASB.

Plus all the the cars at ASB look to damn good. You rock BH